High school is the perfect time to get started on applying for scholarships. With the right strategies and tools, you or your student can access thousands of dollars in financial aid to make post-secondary education more affordable.
However, there’s another huge benefit to landing scholarships, which is … the prestige! Earning scholarships is a mark of excellence. It distinguishes you or your student from others. This is especially important as competition builds for young people in the job market and post-graduate opportunities like law school, med school, graduate school, etc.
The guide below is a great starting point to learn where you can find scholarships. I’ve also included a list of 10 Canadian scholarships for high school students.
Oh, and remember! Always pay close attention to eligibility requirements before investing time into an an application. Every scholarship is different, but you may have to have a certain GPA, attend a particular Canadian university, have leadership experience, or be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Use Your High School Guidance Office to Find Scholarships
Your or your student’s high school guidance office is a great first stop in the scholarship journey. Many guidance counselors keep up-to-date lists of awards and scholarships available to students. They can also offer personalized advice based on your or your student’s academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.
Tap Into Your Personal Network for Scholarships
Many scholarships are hidden within your personal network, which can make them less competitive. Exploring hobbies, clubs, or personal connections may lead to unique financial aid opportunities. Below are some areas within your network worth exploring:
Scholarships From Employers
If you or your student work part-time jobs or are employed by large corporations or unions, it’s worth asking about scholarships. Many organizations offer scholarships to employees or their children, helping with tuition and other school-related costs. These scholarships often fly under the radar, so they typically have fewer applicants.
Community-Based Scholarships
Local organizations like sports clubs, churches, art studios, or small businesses often offer scholarships to support students in their community. These awards may focus on participation in community activities, membership in specific groups, or personal characteristics such as cultural background, race, or gender.
Use Online Scholarship Tools and Databases
The internet is full of resources to help you discover scholarships tailored to your needs. One valuable tool is the BridgesEDU Free Scholarship Finder, a database that connects high school students with scholarships matching their academic performance and personal interests.
To maximize your search, include keywords that reflect your achievements, community involvement, or unique traits.
Here’s a list of online tools for Canadian students to connect with financial aid opportunities.
List of High School Scholarships for Canadian Students
1. Schulich Leader Scholarships
Deadline Month: January (for high school nomination)
Amount: $120,000
Who is this scholarship for? This is a STEM scholarship for Canadian students. Applicants must be nominated by their high school. Students must also be set to graduate high school or cégep in this academic year. Additionally students have to:
- Plan to enroll in an eligible STEM program
- Display the following:
- Academic excellence;
- Leadership, charisma, and creativity.
- Strong consideration is given to entrepreneurial-minded students planning to pursue a career in:
- Technology;
- Engineering;
- Entrepreneurship and business enterprise;
- Applied scientific research.
From the Scholarship Donor: Schulich Leader Scholarships are Canada’s most coveted undergraduate STEM scholarships. One hundred are 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. Every high school in Canada can nominate one graduating student each year to apply for the scholarship.
2. Loran Scholars Foundation
Deadline Month: October
Prize Value: Valued over $100,00
Who is this prize for? Eligibility for high school students:
- Be entering university for the first time in approaching September.
- Present a minimum cumulative average of 85%.
- Hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.
- Be between 15 to 21 years old.
From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: In partnership with universities, donors and volunteers across the country, we’re investing in the future of Canada. We offer the country’s largest and most comprehensive four-year undergraduate award to young Canadians on the basis of character, service and the promise of leadership.
3. TD Scholarships for Community Leadership
Deadline Month: November
Prize Value: $70,000
Who is this prize for? TD Scholarships for Community Leadership are open to students across Canada who:
- Have demonstrated community leadership.
- Are in their final year of CEGEP (for students in Quebec), or high school (for students outside Quebec).
- Have a minimum overall grade average of 75% (outside Quebec), or a minimum R score of 26 (in Quebec), in their most recently completed school year.
From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: Are you a student in your final year of high school (if you live outside Quebec), or in your last year of CEGEP (if you live in Quebec)? Have you shown a commitment to making a positive difference in your community? You may be eligible for a TD Scholarship for Community Leadership valued at up to $70,000 over 4 years towards a post-secondary college or university education.
4. The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award
Deadline Month: December
Amount: Up to $28,000
Who is this scholarship for? To be considered for the Award, applicants must meet be:
- In good academic standing.
- Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.
- Students graduating from secondary (high) school or students completing their first year of CÉGEP or students who have completed secondary (high) school
- Involved in voluntary humanitarian activities (for which they have not been compensated).
- Planning to or are already studying towards their first university degree or diploma at a Canadian post-secondary institution, or entering their 2nd year of CÉGEP in the upcoming academic year.
From the Scholarship Donor: The vision of the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program is to be one of the most prestigious scholarships in the country, dedicated to honouring and advancing the humanitarian legacy of Terry Fox – one of Canada’s most recognized heroes – by encouraging Canadian youth to emulate Terry’s courage and determination through volunteer work and humanitarian services.
5. Fraser Institute National Essay Contest
Deadline Month: June
Amount: Various categories and prizes for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students from $250 to $1,500
Who is this scholarship for? The contest is open to students studying in Canada and to Canadian students studying abroad. It is open to high school students and those attending a post-secondary institution.
From the Scholarship Donor: Join the conversation, showcase your ideas on public policy, and enter our essay contest for the chance to win the grand cash prize! Winning essays may be published in Fraser Institute journals and authors will have the opportunity to experience the peer review process.
6. RE/MAX Quest for Excellence Scholarship Program
Deadline Month: March
Amount: 40 Awards of $1,000 Each
Who is this scholarship for? To be eligible, entrants must be a Grade 12 student attending high school in Canada during the current academic year.
From the Scholarship Donor: The Quest for Excellence scholarship program is an annual program that started in 2000 in Western Canada. Prior to expanding across Canada, the program awarded $16,000 in scholarships to 16 students in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon Territory and Northwest Territory, in the amount of $1,000 per scholarship. To date, RE/MAX has disbursed $384,000 through the Quest for Excellence scholarship program.
7. The Leonard Foundation Financial Assistance Program – Memorial Scholarship / Bursary
Deadline Month: March
Amount: 100 Awards From $1,000 to $1,500
Who is this scholarship for? This memorial scholarship / bursary is open to students demonstrating financial need. Applicants must be enrolled or enrolling in an accredited undergraduate degree program in a college or university in Canada. In addition, they must participate regularly in athletic, fitness or military activities. Personal qualities showing a potential for leadership are also a requirement.
From the Scholarship Donor: The Leonard Foundation has a Charitable Trust and also a Financial Assistance Program for students who, without help from the Foundation, would not be able to continue their education. It is significant that Colonel Leonard placed emphasis on financial need rather than high academic achievement. He also believed that the recipients of his awards should have qualities for leadership so that Canada could grow.
8. Schulich Builders Scholarships for Skilled Trades
Deadline Month: May
Amount: Up to $40,000
Who is this scholarship for? Schulich Builders are responsible, hardworking, dedicated people who:
- Are Canadian citizens
- Meet college admission requirements
- Are enrolling in a full-time, eligible skilled trade one-year certificate or two-year diploma program at a participating college in approaching term.
Note: Each college has their own list of eligible programs, which can be found on their respective websites.
From the Scholarship Donor: We rely on skilled trades to build and maintain the infrastructure of our cities and towns. Our challenge is not having enough of these talented people to meet the demands fueled by our growth.
Schulich Builders will combat the shortage of skilled trades in Ontario and amplify their importance and value to our community by awarding 120 annual scholarships to the most promising candidates.
9. Ted Rogers Entrance Scholarship
Deadline Month: June
Amount: Hundreds of awards valued at $2,000
Who is this scholarship for? To be eligible for this student award, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident age 25 or younger
- Be starting a first degree or diploma program in approaching September – the program must be a minimum of 2 years in duration for university or college, and one year for trade school
- Have a minimum cumulative average of 70% or equivalent over the last three terms of available marks.
From the Scholarship Donor: Through the Ted Rogers Scholarships, Rogers is proud to deliver corporate Canada’s largest scholarship program, investing millions of dollars to support post-secondary education for youth since the program’s inception in 2017.
10. The BridgesEDU $1,000 Scholarship for Canadian Students
Deadline Month: June
Amount: $1,000
Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is open to students attending an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution in approaching September. Graduate students are ineligible to apply. Applicants qualify if they are an:
- Undergraduate student;
- College student;
- A graduating high school senior planning to enter an accredited post-secondary program in September 2024;
- International students are eligible to apply.
From the Scholarship Donor: The BridgesEDU $1,000 Scholarship for Canadian Students is designed to help one winning applicant pay for education costs. At BridgesEDU Scholarships, our mission is to help Canadian students graduate with less debt and more career opportunities.
Find More Scholarships for Students in Canada
While the scholarships mentioned above provide a strong starting point, there are countless other awards available to Canadian high school students.
To uncover even more opportunities tailored to your or your student’s academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal background, explore the BridgesEDU Free Scholarship Finder.
This powerful tool connects students with scholarships in Canada that match their unique profile, helping students maximize their chances of securing financial aid for post-secondary education. Don’t miss out—start your search today and unlock additional funding opportunities!
More Scholarship Lists:
Christopher Grafos, Ph.D., is the founder and chief scholarship mentor at BridgesEDU Scholarships.
He’s a first-generation university graduate whose life was transformed by education and winning scholarships.
Scholarships help students financially, but they also help advance a student’s career. It’s his life’s work to champion this message and share the secrets to finding and winning scholarships.
Read more about Christopher’s journey here.
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Original post here: Canadian Scholarships for High School Students
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