After submitting early decision college applications, it's crucial for families to take proactive steps regarding financial aid:

• Have a family finance conversation: Discuss your college budget and what you're realistically prepared to pay.

• Estimate costs: Use the college’s Net Price Calculator and My Intuition tool to get an early projection of your costs.

• Complete aid forms quickly: Submit the CSS Profile using accurate tax and asset information.

• Understand ED commitments: Early Decision is binding—students are expected to enroll unless the award isn’t affordable. Institutions usually allow for release from the agreement in rare, substantiated cases.

• Stay organized: Track key dates and deadlines, and use college resources for questions or special circumstances.

Need help? Reach out to our counselling office or your prospective U.S. college’s financial aid staff for guidance

St Andrews McEuen Scholarship

Year 12 students who are applying to St. Andrews in Scotland are encouraged to explore the McEuen Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a Canadian citizen, and it is renewable based on academic and extracurricular achievement. The scholarship covers all tuition and residence fees and £200 towards miscellaneous expenses. The application can be found online and is due on January 31st. Interested students are encouraged to learn more by exploring the website.

St Lawrence Canadian Scholars Program 

All Year 12 students interested in applying to St. Lawrence University are encouraged to explore the Canadian Scholars Program. The Canadian Scholars Program seeks students who have excelled academically and demonstrated leadership in some compelling way in their communities. This leadership may be school-related, service-related or any other avenue in which the student has invested substantive time. The scholarship value for the Canadian Scholars Program ranges from $25,000 to $50,000 USD per year, with four-year total values of $100,000 to $200,000 USD. Any UCC student who is eligible and feels like they are a good fit based on the scholarship criteria can apply. Interested students must complete the Common Application, in addition to the Canadian Scholarship Application Essay.

Huron University Hellmuth Scholarship 

Year 12 students who have applied to Huron are encouraged to explore the Hellmuth Scholarship. The Hellmuth Scholarship is awarded to an incoming student with a mid-year average of 90% or higher (as calculated by Huron) and an exceptional record of extracurricular and community involvement, as well as a demonstrated passion for student life through community leadership, volunteer service, passion for arts, athletics, etc. The scholarship covers full tuition and ancillary fees and is renewable for up to 4 years. The application is due on Jan. 15 and can be accessed through the Huron Connect Portal.  Other Huron scholarships can be found on their website. 

Washington University in St. Louis Signature Scholar Programs

All Year 12 students interested in applying to Washington University in St. Louis are encouraged to explore the Signature Scholar Programs. There are three different scholar programs, so explore the website for more details on eligibility for each one. Any UCC student who is eligible and feels like they are a good fit based on the scholarship criteria can apply through the Common Application.

UBC Centennial Scholars

The UBC Centennial Scholars Entrance Award program assists students who are transitioning to UBC from secondary school or another post-secondary institution. The purpose of the program is to financially support academically qualified students who show an interest in joining and contributing to the UBC community, but who would not be able to attend without significant financial assistance. UBC is looking for applicants who are strong academic students, Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons in Canada and who demonstrate financial need. Applications are due by Dec. 1. 

UBC Presidential Scholars 

UBC is looking for the most accomplished and promising Canadian citizens and permanent residents to join their community. The Presidential Scholars Award program offers the most prestigious awards available to students who are entering UBC. These include a one-time award of approximately $5,000, and renewable awards of up to $40,000 on the Okanagan campus, and $80,000 on the Vancouver campus, each payable over four years. High school and CEGEP students who are Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible for the Presidential Scholars Award. These awards recognize students who excel across the board and who have demonstrated academic and leadership achievements in the arts, community, athletics, and school. Students wishing to be considered for a Presidential Scholars Award must apply to UBC by Dec. 1 and indicate that they would like to be considered for the award when asked in their UBC application. All sections of the online application must be completed by Dec. 1, including paying the admission fee, in order to qualify. UBC will contact the majority of Presidential Scholars Award winners by the end of the day on April 27. Only successful award applicants will be contacted. Interested students are encouraged to speak with their university counsellor for more information. 

UBC Beyond Tomorrow Scholars 

The UBC Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program assists Black Canadian students who are transitioning to UBC from secondary school or another post-secondary institution. The purpose of the program is to financially support academically qualified students who show an interest in joining and contributing to the UBC community at both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, but who would not be able to attend without significant financial assistance. To be considered, students must self-identify as Black (African, African-American, African-Canadian, Afro-Caribbean), be a strong academic student, have financial need and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person in Canada. Applications are due by Dec. 1. 

Queens's Major Admissions Award

Queen's University has a number of other Major Admission Awards that do not require a nomination. Many of them have a financial need component. Interested students are encouraged to speak with their counsellor or check out the website for more information.

Boston University Trustee Scholarship

Year 12 students applying to Boston University are encouraged to explore the Trustee Scholarship. The Trustee Scholarship is Boston University’s most distinguished merit scholarship available to incoming students. The goal of the Trustee Scholarship is to enable students to pursue their passions, no matter where they lead. Scholars are enrolled in colleges across the BU campus and work in an incredible array of disciplines, including: television and film writing, neuroscience, acting, Chinese language and literature, biomedical engineering, and linguistics. Trustee scholars are actors, activists, and entrepreneurs. They're volunteers, emerging scholars, and campus leaders. With the Trustee Scholarship, students can do anything and everything at BU. To be considered, students must submit their application for admission to BU by Dec. 1. Interested students should explore more information about the Trustee Scholarship. Application details for the Trustee and other Merit Scholarships can be found on their website. 

Johnson Scholarship at Washington & Lee

The Johnson Scholarship is one of the premier merit-based scholarship programs in the country. It recognizes and rewards students on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and integrity, and their potential to contribute to the intellectual and civic life of the W&L campus and the world at large in years to come. Johnson Scholarships cover tuition and fees, housing and food, and $10,000 in funding for a summer experience — a grand total of more than $89,000 per year. Students with additional financial need may also see their scholarship amount increased to cover additional costs of attendance, which may include textbooks and supplies, travel expenses, and technology costs. The application is due on Dec. 1, and interested students are encouraged to speak with their counsellor or explore the website to learn more. 

Emory College Woodruff Scholars Program 

Students who are in Year 12 and planning to apply to Emory University should consider the Emory College Woodruff Scholars Program. Applicants must submit their application to the university by Nov. 15 (unless they are applying for Early Decision, in which case it is due Nov. 1) and have indicated on their application an interest in being considered for Merit Scholarships. No additional nomination forms, essays, or materials are required to be considered. The Scholar Programs seek individuals who are motivated to be agents of positive social change across the broad spectrum of society—research and discovery, arts and culture, policy and justice work, and innovation and entrepreneurship. They select applicants who demonstrate significant promise in developing the Scholar Qualities and who show aptitude for and interest in working to improve their communities. The Scholar Qualities include a forceful and unselfish character, creativity, leadership and intellectual and personal vigour. The scholarship includes full tuition, fees, and on-campus room and meals. 

Robertson Scholars 

Students who are in Year 12 and planning to apply to Duke University or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (or both) should consider the Robertson Scholars Program. No nomination is required, so any interested and qualified UCC student can apply. Robertson Scholars join a lifelong community committed to transformational change. They explore who they are, what they're committed to, and how to lead from their values in the face of an ever-changing world. The Robertson selection process focuses on finding students committed to making systems-level changes in the world around them, who believe in possibilities, and have the creative imagination to solve intractable problems. They seek to build a community comprised of individuals seeking to work and learn alongside equally inspired change agents with varied interests and passions. The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program provides eight semesters of full tuition, room and board, and most mandatory fees for Scholars at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill. Scholars also have access to generous funding for up to three summer experiences and for up to two semesters of study abroad. 

The Robertson application portal is currently open, and there are two application deadlines — Oct. 15 and Nov. 15.  Students who submit their application by Oct. 15 will learn if they are invited to the group activity before the end of December. Students who submit their application by Nov. 15 will find out in early February if they have been invited to the group activity. Interested students should speak with their University Counsellor to learn more.

University of Toronto Wolf Scholarship

Students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents who plan to apply to the University of Toronto St. George Faculty of Arts and Science (not including Rotman Commerce) are encouraged to explore this new U of T Scholarship. The Wolf Scholarship is looking for applicants who drive to build and lead, have exceptional character and curiosity and intellectual engagement. Wolf Scholars will receive a full academic tuition scholarship and an annual stipend, academic seminars, summer internships, speaker series and leadership development, international and domestic travel and join a purpose-driven community.  Interested students are encouraged to explore the website for more information and to consider attending a webinar. 

Applications open on Sept. 8 and must be submitted by Nov. 10.

Wolf Scholar applicants must also apply for early admission to the University of Toronto by Nov. 7 to be considered.