How are you paying for your education? - This document includes information and a list of resources to help you effectively search for money to pay for your education.
Scholarships Vs. Bursaries
- Scholarships – typically based on merit (criteria varies)
- Bursaries and Grants – typically based on financial need
Preparation
While scholarships/bursaries run year round, each has an individual deadline! It is never too early to prepare, as a typical award winner demonstrates, over time, that they are involved in activities within the school and/or community and are well-rounded citizens. Some scholarships/bursaries have a specific requirement (ie. financial need), but many will include criteria, as listed below:
Academic Achievement | Community Involvement | Extra Curricular Participation |
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Suggestions to help you prepare:
- Review Common Mistakes When Applying to Scholarships.
- Create a scholarship-specific email address.
- Update your resume.
- Volunteer and/or take on leadership roles in the school and/or community.
- Build authentic relationships with your community connections and teachers at school, as some scholarships require a recommendation letter from a teacher and/or community supervisor.
- Attend scholarship workshops.
Types of Scholarships
Awards offered by post-secondary institutions to graduating students across Ontario
These scholarships require an application submission to the AHS Scholarship Committee by the posted deadline. The AHS Scholarship Committee will review timely applications and will select candidates (as allowed) to nominate for consideration to the providing scholarship committee. Nominated students will complete a selection process with the providing scholarship committee which considers nominated candidates throughout Ontario.
Awards | Important Dates | Notes |
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Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarships and U of T Centre for International Experience 37 scholarships for international students who are nominated for the most prestigious and competitive scholarship available to international students at the University of Toronto. The scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence for four years and is tenable only at the U of T for first-year entry, undergraduate programs. 1 nomination - Closed |
Note: Only your first choice program will be considered
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Queen's University Chancellor Scholarship Scholarships awarded to students, based on detailed applications and a nomination from their school. Winners are awarded $12,000 in the first year and is renewable for 3 more years, if a GPA of 3.5 is maintained in a full course load in each year ($48,000.00 total) 2 nominations Closed |
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100 scholarships awarded to entrepreneurial minded high school graduates enrolling in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math program at 20 partner universities across Canada. Half are valued at $120,000 for engineering scholarships and half are valued at $100,000* for Science and Math scholarships. 1 nomination Closed
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Western University National Scholarships: National Scholarships recognize all-round excellence and are awarded on a combination of outstanding academic performance, creative and innovative thought, a passion for the pursuit of learning and the exceptional achievement in extracurricular activities such as the arts and athletics. A special emphasis is placed on a candidate's commitment to community service through ongoing contributions to school and community life. Max. of 4, plus 1 additional international (visa) student nomination Closed |
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Schulich Builders Scholarships for Skilled Trades: 120 scholarships for skilled trade programs at 12 Ontario colleges. Each college awards 10; 5 at $20,000 for 1-year certificate and 5 at $40,000 for 2-year diploma programs:
Direct applications accepted; nomination preferred Maximum of 5 nominations Closed |
The scholarship application must include:
| Eligibility
Additional Selection Criteria:
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Awards offered by the YRDSB and private donors, which are specific to graduating AHS students.
- Department Awards: Subject-specific awards, as selected by the individual departments at AHS.
AHS Graduation Awards - Various scholarships requiring a submitted application to the AHS Scholarship Committee by the posted deadline. The AHS Scholarship Committee will review timely applications and will select the most deserving winner, based on submitted applications and the award criteria.
Awards offered by post-secondary institutions to their students through the Finance Department:
- Entrance Scholarships – usually based on marks, without application, offered upon admission;
- Faculty & Presidential Scholarships – most often an application is required with specific criteria;
- In-course Scholarships – consult the Student Services Department/Financial Aid Office of your post-secondary institution.
A variety of awards offered by private donors, organizations, corporations, etc. that require independent research and individual applications. See the suggested research opportunities below
Research opportunities:
- the AHS Guidance Google classroom (62goeoh)
- the Aurora_Guidance Instagram page
- the Guidance scholarship bulletin board, outside of the Guidance office
- yours or parent/guardian employer, unions, banks, investment or insurance companies, etc.
- government associated scholarship resources:
- comprehensive scholarship resources-create a profile to access many scholarships that are specific to you and the profile you create:
Going to the United States?
The US College Expo provides the chance to visit with representatives from hundreds of colleges, universities and specialized schools in the United States, as well as financial advisors and government officials who can speak to you about scholarships.
Studying Abroad?
- Western Union
- Student Awards
- EduCanada
- Top Universities
- Government of Canada
- Canadian Bureau for International Education