- Scholarships are awarded at all grade levels for excellence in a wide range of achievements such as academic, athletics, citizenship, community involvement, subject areas, and due to financial need.
- Although most scholarships are applied for in Grade 12, the work that students do in Grades 10 and 11 helps to earn those scholarships. Leadership skills, volunteer experiences, citizenship and academics are large components of many scholarships.
- Scholarship information is posted on the Student Services Office bulletin board beside the Main Office and by searching helpful websites.
A scholarship is awarded first on the basis of academic achievement while a bursary is awarded primarily on the basis of financial need. Neither has to be repaid. More Information is available from Student Services.
Many post-secondary institutes and scholarship granting agencies, require references. Teachers and administration write many letters for students. Being specific in the purpose of the reference letter and ensuring students allow ample time to complete the letter is always very helpful and makes for a stronger reference in the end.
November, December, and January Scholarships
https://applications.educationmatters.ca
University of Toronto National Scholarship, Up to $80,000 (Due October 19)
This scholarship is only for students planning to attend the U of Toronto.
Academic achievement in a broad context, original and creative thought involvement in the life of school and community, and intellectual curiosity
https://future.utoronto.ca/nat...
Please see Ms. Verwaayen in Guidance by October 4 to be nominated for the University of Toronto Book Award (this process is not necessary to apply for the National Scholarship)
Due October 10, 2023
TD Scholarships for Community Leadership Up to $70,000
Students in their final year of secondary school who have demonstrated consistent and outstanding dedication to solving a community problem or making their community a better place. Minimum 75% average in grade 11.
https://www.td.com/ca/en/perso...
Due November 15
Queen’s Chancellor’s Scholarship $12,000 per year (renewable for 3 subsequent years)
90%+ average, Superior academic ability, Creative and original thinking, Proven leadership qualities. Must be nominated. Special application download online or pick up in Guidance.
https://www.queensu.ca/student...
Due by November 15 hand in to Ms. Verwaayen in Guidance (students should also be aware that they must apply to Queen’s University by November 15 to be considered for this scholarship)
The University of Saskatchewan Best and Brightest Scholarships (up to $40,000)
There are a few scholarships with various criteria including academics and extra-curricular involvement. Students must apply to the University of Saskatchewan by December 1.
https://admissions.usask.ca/mo...
Due by December 15
UBC Presidential Scholars Awards up to $80,000
Students who excel across the board and who have demonstrated academic and leadership achievements in the arts, community, athletics, and school. No application is necessary, students who apply to UBC by December 1, will automatically be considered based on information in their Academic Profile and Personal Profile.
Due by December 1
UBC Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program up to $80,000
Students who self-identify as Black, have a strong academic background and demonstrate financial need.
https://you.ubc.ca/financial-p...
Due by December 1
UBC Centennial Scholars Entrance Awards up to $80,000
Students with strong academic background who demonstrate financial need.
https://you.ubc.ca/financial-p...
Due by December 1
The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award up to $28,000
Open to students of all abilities, in good academic standing who have been involved in voluntary humanitarian activities. Application opens November 1, 2023.
https://terryfoxawards.ca/
Due December 1
The University of Calgary Prestige Awards up to $25,000
For more information and to apply for the following awards https://www.ucalgary.ca/regist...
Chancellor’s Scholarship
You must be admitted into first year in any undergraduate degree program for the fall term.
A minimum admission average of 90% with a strong indication of academic promise.
Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.
You must demonstrate exceptional contribution to school and/or community life, leadership and volunteerism.
Due December 1, 2023
Ena Lee Leaders in Business Scholarship
Offered annually to an undergraduate student entering the Haskayne School of Business Bachelor of Commerce degree program. Renewable in the second, third and fourth year at the University of Calgary, provided recipients achieve a minimum GPA of 3.20 over a minimum of 30.00 units in the previous fall and winter terms.
Exceptional academic merit and promise.
Contribution to school and/or community life with demonstrated leadership.
Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
Seymour Schulich Academic Excellence Scholarship
Offered annually to undergraduate students entering first year in the Schulich School of Engineering. Renewable in the second and third years at the University of Calgary at $13,150 providing the recipient maintains enrolment in the Schulich School of Engineering and achieves a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the previous fall and winter terms based on a full course load (minimum 30.00 units)
Exceptional academic merit.
Permanent home address is within 100 kilometres of the Calgary city centre. International students are also eligible.
Seymour Schulich Community Service/Entrepreneurial Entrance Award
Offered annually to undergraduate students entering first year in the Schulich School of Engineering. Renewable in the second and third years at the University of Calgary at $13,150 providing the recipient maintains enrolment in the Schulich School of Engineering and achieves a minimum GPA of 2.70 in the previous fall and winter terms based on a full course load (minimum 30.00 units). Renewal is also based on evidence of a commitment to continued service or entrepreneurial activities.
Demonstrated contribution to school life, community service or evidence of entrepreneurial talent.
Academic merit.
Permanent home address is within 100 kilometres of the Calgary city centre. International students are also eligible.
Richard and Lois Haskayne Legacy Scholarship
Offered annually to an undergraduate student entering the Haskayne School of Business Bachelor of Commerce degree program. Renewable in the second, third and fourth year at the University of Calgary, provided recipients achieve a minimum GPA of 3.20 over a minimum of 30.00 units in the previous fall and winter terms.
Exceptional academic merit and promise.
Contribution to school and/or community life with demonstrated leadership.
Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
Offered annually to undergraduate international students entering first year in any undergraduate degree in the upcoming fall term who have satisfied the university's English Language Proficiency requirement. Renewable in the second, third and fourth year at the University of Calgary, provided recipients achieve a GPA of 2.60 or more over a minimum of 24.00 units in the previous fall and winter terms and continue to pay an international differential tuition fee as an international student.
International students who are required to pay a differential fee and who are not Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada.
Academic merit.
Leader in Health Sciences Scholarship
Offered annually to high school students entering first year in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program, Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary.
Renewable in the second, third and fourth year of the Bachelor of Health Sciences program.
Academic merit with potential to succeed as a medical scientist (MD-PhD)
Exceptional evidence of the non-cognitive attributes sought by the Cumming School of Medicine amongst matriculants to the MD program
Contribution to school and/or community life with demonstrated leadership.
Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents.
Supplemental application must be submitted to Cumming School of Medicine by December 15.
Kennedy Scholars Academic Excellence Scholarship
Offered annually to an undergraduate student entering first year in the Faculty of Science majoring in Computer Science.
Renewable in second, third and fourth year at the University of Calgary, provided the student maintains enrolment in the Faculty of Science Computer Science program, and achieves a minimum GPA of 3.20 over a minimum of 30.00 units in the previous fall and winter terms.
Exceptional academic merit and promise.
Demonstrated commitment to entrepreneurial thinking, innovation or technology development and leadership qualities.
Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.
Permanent home address is within 100 kilometres of Calgary city centre.
January
Schulich Leaders Scholarship for Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
100,000 to 120,000
https://schulichleaders.com/
Students who have applied to a STEM program at one of the universities noted by the award. (see the website). It is supporting young minds that demonstrate great leadership and embrace STEM fields.
Student eligibility criteria:
Graduating high school or cégep in Canada in the 2023/2024 academic year
-Canadian citizen or permanent resident
-Plan to enroll in an eligible STEM program at one of our 20 partner universities
-Meet the following criteria:
Academic excellence, AND
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.
If you want to be Aberhart’s Schulich Leader Nominee, please submit the following to Ms. Verwaayen in guidance by January 11, 2024.
- A list of your Top 3 Achievements
- A 600 word Essay demonstrating why you would make a Great Schulich Leader
- Any application information on financial need
- The name of one person in the school who will write you a reference letter if you are chosen
- An outline of your educational and career plans.
Western University National Scholarship Program
Students who have applied to Western University and who have achieved a minimum overall average of 90% on all Grade 12 Core Classes can seek nomination for the National Scholarship Program. Please express your interest to your counsellor by Monday, January 29, 2024.
https://registrar.uwo.ca/stude...
The 4-Step Process
Step 1 - Use Search Engines
This is probably the most important step, as it is likely to yield the largest number of results, and the data you get is easy to use (i.e. it’s sortable, hotlinked and concise, and it refers only to scholarships you actually are qualified for).
There are two major Canadian search engines:
These search engines are better for Canadian post-secondary studies than U.S.-based search engines. They have tens of thousands of scholarships in their databases.
- Create an account. It’s free!
- Fill out the registration form in detail. The more information you provide in the form, the better a job they can do of matching you with the right scholarships.
Step 2 - Check for School-Based Awards
All schools offer various entrance scholarships of all 4 types; some offer more money than others. Some are automatic consideration, but others require application. Check the websites of each school carefully In general, it is more important to find the right school than to go for the best scholarships.
However: If you are at or near the top of the honour roll, it might be worth your while to look at the extremely valuable scholarships they offer to the best of the best. Many universities have special scholarships targeting students with certain characteristics (e.g. a specific cultural/ethnic background, or a disability etc.)
- If you possess one of these special characteristics, your chances of obtaining a scholarship from the school that targets it are obviously enhanced.
- Finding these scholarships, however, would be an onerous job. Fortunately, the vast majority of universities publish all their scholarship information to the Student Awards and Scholarships Canada search engines and you therefore do not have to worry too much about missing one of these.
- If there is a scholarship at a certain school for a special characteristic that you possess, you should already have found out about it through step 1.
Step 3 - Check Your Connections
Many, many scholarships go unawarded year after year because they are so narrow in focus and are not known to the search engines.
- Any organization that you or your extended family are associated with could have one of these. Enquire. Ask your family and contacts to enquire on your behalf.
- This step is a bit more time consuming than the first two and will yield few, if any, results.
- However, any scholarship you do find using this method will have very few other applicants and therefore you will have a really good chance of receiving it.
Step 4 - Apply to Education Matters/Rutherford
The Rutherford Scholarship is given to any Alberta resident who is either a citizen or a landed immigrant whose marks in Grades 10, 11, and/or 12 are in excess of 75% on five selected subjects.
- This scholarship is applied for in the summer before entering post-secondary.
- Education Matters is the organization that coordinates a number of scholarships exclusive to students attending CBE or Calgary Catholic schools.
