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Funding Post-Secondary Education
It’s no secret that post-secondary education is expensive and that paying for it can be a heavy burden. Luckily, scholarships, grants and bursaries can help relieve some of the pressure to do it all yourself. Find out what they are and how to find them and learn about scholarships specifically for athletics and under-represented students.
Funding Post-Secondary Education: The Harsh Reality
Kyle Cleveland, Education & Outreach Coordinator at Niagara College Canada, details what paying for post-secondary education entails. Here is why scholarships, grants and bursaries can be helpful tools to get you through paying for school:
What are Scholarships, Grants and Bursaries?
Learn about the difference between scholarships, grants, and bursaries – each designed to support learners in unique ways. These funding opportunities help remove financial barriers and recognize potential, passion, and need.
Scholarships
Scholarships are financial awards (a sum of money) used to help support a student’s education. Scholarships can be based on academics (marks) and/or other achievements (ex. leadership, volunteering, sports, etc…). There are a variety of sources for scholarships, with some requiring an application while others you are automatically considered for based on the school/program you are applying to.
Consider the steps on our “Finding Scholarships” page when conducting your scholarship search.
Renewable Scholarships
Receiving a scholarship upon entry to the school/program you chose for post-secondary isn’t always just a one-time award. Certain scholarships are renewable. Renewable scholarships are based on the initial sum of money you were given, but continue each year throughout your studies if certain conditions are met. Usually, this means maintaining a specified average each year.
Grants
Grants are sums of money provided to students within specific timelines that usually focus on a certain program of study and/or the geographic area in which you are going to school. In many cases, grants will cover all tuition and other school fees, sometimes even including living expenses. To receive financial support that often exceeds that of scholarships, you are expected to work in the area that you studied in for a specified number of years following graduation.
Ontario Learn and Stay Grant (For students in health programs in specified parts of Northern, Southwestern and Eastern Ontario).
Bursaries
Bursaries are needs-based and in many cases require that you have applied to and/or are eligible for the Ontario Student Assistance Program, or OSAP. Keep in mind that OSAP itself is not a bursary, but a combination of grants and loans. While you do not need to repay OSAP grants, like any other grant or bursary, loans represent money that is only temporarily borrowed. They must be repaid, and in most cases, with interest (more money than the loan’s value).
OSAP: Where to find money that can help you pay for a college, university or apprenticeship program after high school
OSAP: What types of financial aid are available?
How to maintain eligibility for OSAP and the Learn and Stay Grant
Finding Scholarships
Consider these steps when conducting your scholarship search.
Getting Scholarships
Finding a scholarship is only half the battle. Making sure you’re chosen for it can by the tricky part – although it doesn’t have to be. Hear some tips from a local expert on navigating the scholarship application process and making sure you stand out.
Athletic Scholarships
General information on all things you need to know when starting to think about applying for a sports scholarship to any post-secondary institution in Ontario. Below are some helpful tips on the application process and eligibility for various scholarships, awards, prizes and bursaries.
Scholarships for Under-Represented Students
Whether you identify as a Black, Indigenous or 2SLGBTQIA+ student, or as a student with a learning exceptionality, there are many national and local scholarships available to help your journey into post-secondary education go as smoothly as possible.
Supplemental Information
More information on the scholarship application process and a unique scholarship opportunity for theatre kids from Waterdown District High School and St. Mary Catholic Secondary School.
Guide to Scholarships
A Guide to Scholarships, Awards and Applications
A personal look at best practices for finding and applying for awards by Rob Taylor.
Village Theatre Waterdown Award
Village Theatre Waterdown generously funds the annual “Village Theatre Thespian Award” to graduating students of Waterdown District High School (WDHS) and St. Mary Catholic Secondary School who demonstrates excellence in theatre arts.
Chaney-Ensign Bursary Fund
Hamilton Community Foundation offers this educational bursary to students who demonstrate financial need and who have graduated from any publicly funded high school in Hamilton. You must have applied for OSAP funding to qualify. Learn more here.
OSAP Aid Estimator
Use the OSAP Aid Estimator to find out how much you could qualify for to help pay for your post-secondary education in only 5-10 minutes. You’ll need to enter:
- Your school and program
- Dates the program starts and ends
- Tuition and book costs
- Your parent(s)’ income
