Scholarships and Financial Aid

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

Ontario’s financial aid program, offering a mix of grants and loans to thousands of students each year to help pay for their post-secondary education.  To find out more visit the Ontario Ministry of Education - OSAP.

Once an Ontario College or Ontario University application is completed, it is recommended that you set up your OSAP account which can be easily linked to your college and/or university application(s).  Register for OSAP online.

Interested in practical nursing, paramedics, medical laboratory technology, or medical laboratory science?  Check out the Learn and Stay Grant to find out about funding which covers the cost of tuition, books, and other direct educational expenses.

 

Financial Aid from Colleges and Universities

Check with the Financial Aid Office at any college or university directly to see what financial aid programs they offer.

You could be eligible for the following sources of money you don’t have to pay back:

  • bursaries
  • scholarships
  • work-study programs
  • summer employment opportunities
Most schools also offer emergency loans. For example, you could be eligible for a short-term loan (90 days) to cover tuition, if you’re waiting for OSAP to arrive.

 

Bank Loans

Banks, trust companies and credit unions offer student loans and lines of credit. Talk to your financial institution for information.

 

Self Funded

Consider contributing to your own future by saving money from a summer job or job you hold throughout the year.  Invest your savings through a bank/financial institution to earn interest on your money for additional contributions to your education.

Your parents or other relatives might also be able to contribute to education costs.

 

Types of Financial Aid

It is important to know the difference between the types of financial aid available to you to ensure that you are looking for the right opportunities.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academics or other achievements from a post-secondary institution or an outside organization.

Bursaries are awarded on the basis of financial need from a post-secondary institution.

Grants are awarded on the basis of academics or financial need from an outside organization that is not your school.

Scholarships, bursaries, nor grants have to be repaid. 

Visit the Financial Supports and Scholarships webpage for information on financial supports including scholarships, bursaries and awards.


School Nominated Scholarship Deadlines

To be considered for a school nominated scholarship, please review the eligibility criteria below carefully and submit the ND School Nominated Scholarship Consideration form by September 30th at 11:59pm.

October - University of Toronto National Award

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

  • an original and creative thinker
  • committed to school and community
  • a high achiever in academic and creative pursuits
  • enthusiastic about learning and intellectual exploration
  • a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
  • currently in your final year of Canadian secondary school
  • intending to begin post-secondary study at the University of Toronto the following academic year 
  • 1 student may be nominated per school

For more information, visit https://future.utoronto.ca/national-scholarship/about/.
December 8, 2024 - Queens University Chancellor's Award
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
  • a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • attending high school in Canada or internationally
  • must demonstrate a superior academic ability, creative and original thinking, involvement in school or community activities, and proven leadership
  • financial need is considered for some major admission awards
  • entering first year of post-secondary education for the first time in a full-time Queen's undergraduate degree program
  • must complete university application by November 20th
  • 1 student may be nominated per school if the graduating class is less than 250 students; 2 students may be nominated per school if the graduating class is between 250 and 499 students

For more information, visit https://www.queensu.ca/registrar/financial-aid/application-required/future-students/major-awards.
January 29, 2025 - Schulich Scholarship
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
  • graduating high school this school year
  • a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • planing to enrol in an eligible STEM program at one of the partner universities
  • meet the following criteria:
    1. academic excellence
    2. leadership, charisma and creativity
  • strong consideration will be given to students with financial need
  • be entrepreneurial-minded and intend to pursue a career in one or more of the following focus areas:
    • technology
    • engineering
    • entrepreneurship and business enterprise
    • applied scientific research
  • students focusing on the following will NOT be considered:
    •  activism (political, environmental, or social)
    • intend to become a practicing physicial and/or medical researcher (doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, optometrist, etc.)
    • intend to become a professor and conduct theoretical research
  • 1 student may be nominated per school

For more information, visit https://schulichleaders.com/.
February - University of Western Ontario National Scholarship Program
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

  • some exceptions apply

  • a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident 

  • a minimum overall academic average of 90% on all Grade 12U/M courses

  • application to Western University (main campus) as a full-time student and acceptance to Western's main campus is required

  • in order to access the online National Scholarship application the OUAC reference number is required
  • up to 4 students may be nominated per school
For more information, visit https://registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/scholarships_awards.
Spring 2024 - Schulich Builders Scholarship
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
  • a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident
  • meet college admission requirements
  • enrolling in a full-time, eligible* skilled trade one-year certificate or two-year diploma program at a participating college

  • strong work ethic and character as evidenced by 1 reference letter from someone directly connected to the student (high school staff member, employer, co-worker, community organization, etc.)

  • financial need

  • willingness to act as an ambassador and promote their career choice in the skilled trades and the Schulich Builders program in high schools and community outreach

  • up to 5 students may be nominated per school

For more information, visit https://schulichbuilders.com/.
Spring 2024 - Parkwood Principal's Tea

The Parkwood Foundation’s Award celebrates innovation, passion and potential in young women in the study of dynamic STEM education. Chosen students will attend the event at Parkwood Estates in Oshawa.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

  • must be female
  • must study and have a passion for STEM
  • submit an essay to have the chance to win a scholarship
  • 2 students will be invited to attend event per school

 

Scholarship Links

 Scholarship Databases & Search Engines:

 
Specific Scholarships (by deadline):

Check each month's scholarships in advance; sometimes dates vary slightly from year to year.

 September
 
 October
 November
 December
 January
 
 February
 
 March
 April
 May
 June
July 
August

Visit the Financial Supports and Scholarships webpage for information on financial supports including scholarships, bursaries and awards.

 
SHSM Scholarships

Financial Aid

Visit the Financial Supports and Scholarships webpage for information on financial supports including scholarships, bursaries and awards.