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.

 

2024-2025 Student Scholarship Guide

For information on how to find and apply to scholarships, please refer to the 2024-2025 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
Due October 15 Loran Scholar
October

Book Award
Application due in guidance
Oct. 4
*U. of T. National Book Award and Scholarship Prog.* (Click "About the Scholarship") READ INFO. CAREFULLY ON WEBSITE!  ONE nomination per school allowed for the Book Award
November Toromont CAT scholarship @ Sir Sanford Fleming College
November 13 TD Canada Trust School. For Community Leadership 
November

Application due in Guidance Nov 15
*Queen’s University Chancellor's Scholarship
Two nominations for Bethune (Min. average – 90%)
November RBC Royal Bank Scholarships
November The Harry Jerome Awards (See your counsellor in Guidance)
December Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program
December Burger King Scholars Program
December Vimy Pilgrimage Award
December Community Volunteer Awards for Students (See your counsellor in Guidance asap).
January Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers
January CHFT Diversity Scholarships
January

Applicant for nomination is due Jan 15
*Schulich Leader Scholarships 
 - nominee must submit scholarship application by February
January Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program
January *Rotary Club of Scarborough (Paul Harris Scholarship)*(One nomination per school. See your counsellor in Guidance in January)

February

Nominee applicant due to Guidance January 15

*Western National Scholarship Program

Four nominations allowed per school (min. average on all Grade 12 U/M courses: 90%)
March Scadding Court Community Centre: Investing in Our Diversity Scholarship Program
March Toronto Real Estate Board -- Past President's Scholarship
March Future Aces (Herbert H. Carnegie)
March Horatio Alger Student Scholarships
March Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation (TIRF)
March Association of Black Law Enforcers Scholarship Award
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 The Rotary Club of Toronto - click on the scholarship application link
April Teachers Life Scholarships: Children/grandchildren of active Teachers Life Members can apply if attending university or Teachers College in the fall.
April PDK Educational Foundation Scholarship Program
April Ade Adegbite Memorial Scholarhip
April 42 Division CPLC Student Bursary Award 
April Retail as a Career Scholarship
April Ontario Hockey Federation Bursary Program 
April Canadian Hospitality Foundation
April University of Toronto Portuguese Association (UTPA) Outreach Scholarship (email: utpa_club@yahoo.ca)
May - Application for nomination due mid April *Schulich Builders - Scholarships for Skilled Trades*
May CFIG Scholarships
May James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award
May Kiwanis Club of Toronto - you must be a member of the Toronto Kiwanis to be eligible for the scholarships  BGC Toronto Kiwanis
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  Mon Sheong Foundation The Golden Jubilee Scholarship
July Professional Engineers Ontario
August Belairdirect Scholarship Program (formerly known as Johnson Ins)

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.