On this page:
- What are Awards, Scholarships & Bursaries?
- How can I find and apply for Awards, Scholarships & Bursaries?
- How can I get nominated for a scholarship?
- How else can I fund my post-secondary education?
- Resources to help you budget for post-secondary
1. What are Awards, Scholarships & Bursaries?
Awards An award is a loosely defined term referring to awards that are neither scholarships nor bursaries. In certain cases, awards may be plaques or recognition certificates, while in other cases awards may be professional memberships coupled with cash prizes.
Scholarships A scholarship usually recognizes academic excellence, but not always. Some are for community involvement, a specific field of study, for specific talents or hobbies, certain ethnic backgrounds or for groups that your relatives may be part of. In certain cases, financial need may be considered as a secondary criterion to decide between candidates of approximately equal achievement.
Bursaries A bursary is an award that is distributed based on financial need. Bursaries may request that applicants meet certain geographical or demographic requirements.
2. How can I find and apply for Awards, Scholarships & Bursaries?
Start by visiting the websites below, they offer opportunities for every post-secondary pathway!
Also, stay tuned to the Grade 12 Google Classroom, where details on select Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries will be posted as they become available.
 | Ontario School Counsellors Association. Links to Business & Industry Scholarships. Scholarships & Financial Aid – OSCA – Ontario School Counsellors Association |
 | A comprehensive list scholarships offered to Ontario students entering their first year of university. https://www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca/scholarships Search for scholarships by University, amount ($), or Scholarship name (which often identifies the nature of the scholarship and if you are a good fit). |
 | Contact the Financial Aid or Student Awards office of Colleges you are applying to https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/colleges/paying-for-college |
| APPRENTICESHIP FUNDING | You can “earn while you learn!”. Information about government loans and grants can be found https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/support-skilled-trades-apprentices/funding-opportunities.html |
 | A one-stop shop for your scholarship, bursary and awards inquires! Get information sent straight to your inbox. Read success stories and helpful articles on how to apply. https://studentawards.com/ |
 | Brings students and scholarship providers together, simplifying the process, making post-secondary education more accessible. https://scholartree.ca/ |
 | Research, discuss and find funding for education. Searching made simple! Become a member, access tools and resources and get matched to scholarships and awards. https://yconic.com/ |
 | Login to your myBlueprint account and look under Tasks for prizes and scholarships. |
3. How can I get nominated for a scholarship?
The scholarships listed below require that students be nominated by their high school. If you are interested in being considered for any of these scholarships, apply as detailed.
| Queen’s University Chancellor Award – Will you be applying to Queens? You may want to consider applying for their Major Admission Awards. With one application you can apply for the Queen’s Chancellor Award and other Major Awards. https://www.queensu.ca/registrar/financial-aid/application-required/future-students/major-awards . There are many significant awards available, check them out! Specifically, the Queen’s Chancellor Award requires nomination from your high school. St. Francis Xavier can nominate up to 3 students. Queen’s University Chancellor Award – An award for students who have applied to Queen’s and demonstrate superior academics, creative and original thinking, and leadership qualities. Value of $12,000 that can be renewed for up to 3 subsequent years, for a possible maximum value of $48,000. Eligibility: Grade 12 graduating students who have applied to any undergraduate program at Queen’s are eligible to be considered for a Chancellor’s Scholarship It is expected that students have a cumulative average of 90% or higher throughout high school to be competitive in our major admission award competition. Due dates: Interested students are to email completed pages 1 through 6 of the Queen’s Major Admission Awards Practice Application, attached, to Mrs. Porciello (PorcielloC@hcdsb.org) by Thursday November 9, 2023, at 11:59 pm. The students selected for nomination will be notified by Wednesday November 15th. Interested students must apply for admission to Queen’s via the OUAC by November 20th to ensure access to your Queen’s SOLUS to submit your application by December 8. Students must also submit their application through the SOLUS Student Centre to Queen’s by December 8, 2023. |
| Western University We’re looking for high-potential applicants who excel in the classroom and in their extracurricular pursuits. Our aim is to attract the best students from across Canada and around the world, helping them achieve their academic goals while encouraging their vital contributions to our extraordinary campus culture. Some of our National Scholarships include: One valued at $80,000 One valued at $70,000 Four valued at $65,000 and up to 15 more at $50,000 Five valued at $50,000 One valued at $92,000 One valued at $80,000 for international (visa) students Three valued at $50,000 for international (visa) students Up to 15 valued at $30,000 Up to 46 valued up to $5,000 Up to 50 valued at $2,000 for one year More details about all the scholarship programs offered at Western can be found online at https://registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/scholarships_awards/admission/. If you have any questions, our Student Financial Services Officer Norma Merino would be pleased to help at 519-661-2111 extension 85958 or email nmerino@uwo.ca How do you get nominated? Each high school can nominate up to 4 students for the National Scholarship Program (plus one international (visa) student). The National Scholarship Program is a collection of scholarships, and students nominated will be considered for all of them. Eligibility: Grade 12 graduating students, with a minimum overall academic average of 90% on all Grade 12U/M courses (or equivalent) who have applied to be a full-time student at the main campus of Western University to be eligible. Due date: Applications information (and further eligibility information) is available at the website linked below. Interested students are to submit the attached Western Nomination form to Mrs. Porciello at PorcielloC@hcdsb.org by 11:59 pm on Friday January 12th. Nominated students will be advised by Friday January 19th and must then submit to Western online (including a completed letter of recommendation) by February 14, 2024. |
| Schulich Builders are scholarships for students enrolling in an eligible, full-time skilled trades program at a participating college in Ontario. Ten colleges award a total of 100 scholarships annually. Each college will award ten scholarships: • Five for one-year certificate programs • Five for two-year diploma programs Valued at $40,000 ($20,000 per academic year), these scholarships support the costs of tuition, tools and living expenses. Who is eligible Schulich Builders are responsible, hardworking, dedicated people who: Are Canadian citizens or permanent residents Meet college admission requirements Are enrolling in a full-time, eligible* skilled trade one-year certificate or two-year diploma program at a participating college starting in Fall 2024 * Each college has their own list of eligible programs, which can be found on their respective websites. Selection Criteria Students must meet the following criteria to be considered for the scholarship: i. Strong work ethic and character, as evidenced by one letter of recommendation by someone directly connected to the student, preferably: High school staff member Employer Co-worker Community service organization ii. Financial need as determined by each college admission department iii. Students must support western, democratic ideals and be respectful of people from different backgrounds. There is zero tolerance for displays of racism or antisemitism. Students who don’t support these ideals and/or engage in harmful rhetoric/activities are at risk of forfeiting their nominee status or scholarship and should not apply. Ontario high schools can nominate up to five students. ***To apply to be nominated by our school, send an email to Ms. Porciello by midnight on Wednesday Feb. 28th. Attach to the email a letter of recommendation as discussed in point (i) above.*** |
| Schulich Leader Scholarships – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) scholarships. Engineering scholarships valued at $120,000 each and science, technology or math scholarships valued at $100,000 each. Eligibility: Grade 12 graduating students who have applied to an undergraduate degree in an eligible STEM program at one of 20 universities. Learn more at https://schulichleaders.com/apply/ . Non-Eligibility: The scholarship will NOT be considered for students who: Focus on activism (environmental/political/societal) Intend to become a practicing physician and/or medical researcher (e.g. Doctor, Dentist, Nurse, Psychologist, Pharmacist, Optometrist, etc.) Intend to become a professor or conduct theoretical research. St. Francis Xavier can nominate only 1 student. Due date: Interested students are to complete the Schulich Leader Scholarship Request for Nomination Form linked below and submit it to Mrs. Porciello by email at PorcielloC@hcdsb.org by Wednesday January 10th at 11:59pm. |
| University of Guelph National Scholarships These 11 scholarships are considered the University of Guelph’s most prestigious undergraduate awards. Students with an outstanding academic record, who have made significant contributions to their schools and their communities, who have demonstrated innovative and unique approaches to implementing change and/or bringing about improvements to life, and who demonstrate the greatest potential to be future leaders are invited to apply. These scholarships will be allocated as: President’s Scholarships (9) , each valued at up to $42,500 Lincoln Alexander Chancellor’s Scholarships * (2), each valued at up to $42,500 You are eligible to apply if you: Are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada; Are entering the first semester of any degree program at the University of Guelph; Have not previously attended a post-secondary institution; Have at least a 90% admission average; Have made significant leadership contributions to your school and/or community. *For the Lincoln Alexander Chancellor Scholarship, students must be: Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis); or a person with a disability; or a person of colour/racialized person. Deadline: Students are required to submit the online application no later than January 25, 2024. |
4. How else can I fund my post-secondary education?
| Ontario School Counsellors Association. Links to Financial Aid pages of each Ontario College and University can be found here Scholarships & Financial Aid – OSCA – Ontario School Counsellors Association |
 | Ontario Student Assistance Program. Online estimator tools can help you determine how much aid you are likely to receive: https://osap.gov.on.ca/AidEstimator2223Web/enterapp/enter.xhtml How to apply for OSAP, with links to register and start the process: https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-apply-osap |
| EMERGENCY LOANS | Short term (90 day) loans are offered by most post-secondary schools to cover tuition while you wait for OSAP. If this is needed, contact the school’s financial aid office. |
 | You may be able to use Aeroplan, TD, American Express or CIBC loyalty points of your own or from your parents to pay for your education. Learn more at https://www.higheredpoints.com/ |
5. Resources to help you budget for post-secondary
 | Budgeting information from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, including costs to include in your budget; sources of income; tax deductions and tax credits for students. Budgeting for student life – Canada.ca |
 | Learn about budgeting, saving, borrowing, credit profiles and keeping money safe. Try the interactive Lifestyle Reality Check budgeting web app. About Your Money Students – a free financial education seminar program for Canadian students | About Your Money Students – a free financial education seminar program for Canadian students (cba.ca) |
| | Login to your myBlueprint account and go to Money to learn about budgeting and finance. Use the Budgets tool to create your own budget. |
