Post Secondary Financial Support

Post Secondary Financial Support

There are different ways to fund your post secondary education. You need to learn about how student loans, grants, bursaries, and scholarships can help you pay your way through college or university. Whatever your needs, finding out your options could make a significant difference to your bank balance at the end of your studies.


2023-2024 Student Scholarship Guide

For information on how to find and apply to scholarships, please refer to the 2023-2024 Scholarship Guide. Important dates for scholarships where nominations are needed from a representative from the school are also included in the guide.


Scholarships

Scholarships provide money that does not need to be paid back and are usually awarded based on merit.

Which scholarships are appropriate for me?

  • Join studentawards.com and they will do the work to match you with the right scholarships.

Where else can I search for scholarships?

How do I apply for scholarships successfully?

Where can I find help to plan my finances for my post-secondary studies?


List Of Some Common Scholarships

Follow the links to go directly to the websites to find out the actual due dates for each of the scholarships listed.  Scholarship listed with an asterisk (*), indicates that the application must be submitted to the Guidance Office at least two weeks prior to the official deadline due to the fact that the school can only nominate a limited number of candidates.  If you have any questions, please see your counsellor in guidance.

Scholarship criteria and deadlines are always changing Students and parents are advised to go directly to the individual website for updates.

Scholarship List
Deadline Scholarship Description
Mid-June. Bethune Awards and Scholarships for Graduating Students. Listen for Announcements Mid-May
N.A. Certified Management Accountants - Eight monthly $50 draws plus $5000 school prizes available (click on 'Students and Candidates', then 'High School Students and Educators' then 'Register')
September due in guidance by Oct. 5 *Loran Award (Formerly known as the Can. Merit Schol. Foundation National Award)* - May apply to the 'sponsored pool' (Due in Guidance by Oct. 7) OR the 'direct pool'
October Horatio Alger Student Scholarships
October *TD Canada Trust Schol. For Community Leadership -(due in Guidance by Nov. 9)
October Top 20 Under Twenty
October Burger King Scholars Program
October;Book Award Application due in guidance Oct. 19 *U. of T. National Book Award and Scholarship Prog.* (Click on 'Awards' then 'National Scholarship Program') READ INFO. CAREFULLY ON WEBSITE! ONE nomination per school allowed for the Book Award - students may also apply directly for the National Scholarship
October Vimy Pilgrimage Award
November Student Life Network Scholarship
November Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario Contests
November YWCA Women of Distinction Awards
November Toromont CAT scholarship @ Sir Sanford Felming College
November Due in GuidanceNov 16th Queen’s University Chancellor's ScholarshipTwo nominations for Bethune (Min. average – 90%)
November RBC Royal Bank Scholarships
November The Harry Jerome Awards (See your counsellor in Guidance asap)
December Vietnamese Association Toronto Schol. Prog.
December Community Volunteer Awards for Students (See your counsellor in Guidance asap).
December Future Aces (Herbert H. Carnegie)
January Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers
January CHFT Diversity Scholarships
January Prospective Educator Scholarship
January Schulich Leader Scholarships (See your counsellor in Guidance before Jan. 1st if you are interested )
January Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program
January Louise Russo Youth Awards
January *Rotary Club of Scarborough (Paul Harris Scholarship)*(One nomination per school. See your counsellor in Guidance in January)
January Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program
February 14; Due to GuidanceFebruary 1 Western National Scholarship ProgramFour nominations allowed per schoolmin. average on all Grade 12 U/M courses: 90%
February J.V. Findlay Scholarship (Health & Safety)
February Teachers Life Scholarships: Children/grandchildren of active Teachers Life Members can apply if attending university or Teachers College in the fall.
February Toronto Real Estate Board -- Past President's Scholarship
February Scadding Court Community Centre -- Diversity Scholarships (click on 'Special Projects')
March Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation (TIRF)
March *Association of Black Law Enforcers Scholarship Award*(Click on 'Community')
March CIBC Youthvision Scholarship Program - For Grade 10 students (60% avg. min) who have a Big Sister / Big Brother of Canada or a mentor from YMCA Canada. Up to $4,000 per year for 4 years of post-secondary education plus up to $2000 per summer while in high school. Talk to your Big Brother / Sister or mentor if you're interested in applying.
March Maytree Scholarship (click on 'Grants')
March The Rotary Club of Toronto (Application)
March W. Garfield Weston Awards (click on 'Education')
March The Wiesenthal Scholarship (Click on 'Education & Diversity Programmes')
April Ade Adegbite Memorial Scholarhip
April 42 Division CCLC Student Award (Click on 'Events')
April Retail as a Career ScholarshipCanadian Retail Inst./Retail Council of Canada
April Identify ‘N’ Impact Awards (Toronto Youth Cabinet)
April Minds in Motion Award
April Ontario Hockey Federation Bursary Program (Click on 'Programs')
April Canadian Hospitality Foundation
April 2012 Karthiha Guruparan and Bill Winsor Scholarships
April University of Toronto Portuguese Association (UTPA) Outreach Scholarship (email: utpa_club@yahoo.ca)
May Arya Samaj Markham Scholarship Program (Click on 'ASM Youth Scholarship')
May CFIG Scholarships
May James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award
May Kiwanis Club of Toronto
May St. John’s United ChurchOne $2,000 scholarship available to one student from any of 10 high schools in the area. Must be graduating high school and be accepted into college or university in Canada. Applicant must show significant contribution to the life of the shcool and active commitment to community service. Special consideration given to financial need. Applications are available in Guidance. (go to Outreach)
June Canadian Sanitation Supply Assoc. Schol. Found.
June Jean Lumb Award
June National Union Of Public And General Employees Scholarships
June Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations (AJAA of Toronto) - Bursary and Essay Competition for graduating students of Jamaican decent
June OTIP Bursary
June Toromont CAT scholarship @Centennial College
June 25th due in guidance June 4th *Mon Sheong Foundation The Silver Jubilee Awards* - Two nominations allowed per school - See your counsellor in Guidance by April
July Professional Engineers Ontario
August Johnson Inc.
August Jeremy Dias Scholarship (click on 'Get Involved')

Assume that the due date means that the application must arrive by that date, unless otherwise specifically stated on the website or application.

So, be sure to start early on your applications - deadlines are ABSOLUTE!


Grants And Bursaries

These are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, athletic skill, and special abilities.  Typically, you do not have to pay these back.

Where can I search for grants and bursaries?


Student Loans

The federal and/or provincial government provides the money, which needs to be paid back six months after the completion of the post secondary program.  The interest is usually at the lower rate for this type of student loans. 

How much aid can I get from the Canada Student Loans Program?

How much aid can I get from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)?


Other Useful Websites

If you are planning to attend a college or university outside of Canada, you can use this to calculate your costs in Canadian dollars using today's exchange rate for most of the world's currencies.