Updated March 2022
For most students, post-secondary school in Canada is going to cost a lot of money with textbooks, tuition, transportation, housing and food to cover. Regardless of where you are in your savings plan, your credit card is about to get a workout and extra funds would surely help with cash flow.
From $50 awards that help pay for a textbook to $1,000 and $1,500 awards at the community or school level, every little bit can add up and make life easier. An added boost could also come from larger scholarships like those in the list we’ve compiled below.
#HerPower Awards
Sponsored by EllisDon, a $1,000 scholarship will be awarded under each category with a total of $5,000 to be awarded each year.
- Deadline to Apply: June 1, 2022
StartUp Dojo
An entrepreneurial online program that helps/guides you to take your passion for solving problems into a real business or social nonprofit. It is an intensive 1-Year program (scholarship valued at $2400+) that includes access to exclusive Luminaries, educational content, coaching, and other incredible perks.
* Students currently in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply. Students are admitted on a rolling basis.
Hydro One Women in Engineering Award
The Women in Engineering Award: Applications now Closed
Hydro One also has two other scholarships available that are not gender-specific:
The William Peyton Hubbard Award for black students (Applications are now Closed)
The Leonard S. (Tony) Mandamin Awards for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students (deadlines of February 1, August 1, November 1).
MPower Financing Women in STEM Scholarship
MPower is a social enterprise that already offers loans that increase access to higher education for female students. If you are an international student who plans to use a STEM degree to change your community (or the world!), this is for you.
- Deadline to Apply: July 15, 2022
Palantir Women in Technology Scholarship
Being selected for this significant award also includes an all-expenses-paid trip to Palo Alto, California, to experience a skill-building workshop with the other recipients.
- Deadline to Apply: Thursday, March 17th 2022
Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation (CEMF) Undergraduate Ambassador Awards
Students who are already active in sharing or growing their passion for engineering can apply for this scholarship. While it has an extensive list of requirements, the niche of this award means that statistically you will have a greater chance at the $5,000 boost.
- Deadline to Apply: Applications are now Closed
Manulife Life Lessons Scholarship Program
If the passing of a parent of guardian left your family with little (or no) insurance and you can demonstrate how it has affected your life and your school plans, Manulife invites you to apply for this program to help offset the costs of post-secondary education.
- Deadline to apply: Opens February 1, 2022
Additional Industry-Specific Scholarships
Automotive Aftermarket Scholarships
Automotive Aftermarkets Scholarships Central will award $550,000 in 2019. While many of the scholarships listed are U.S.-based, there is one specifically for Canadian students. If you will be studying at an American university, take time to peruse the entire list of funds available to see if you can apply for more assistance.
- Deadline to Apply: June 15 of each year
2021 Skilled Trade Scholarship (Build a Dream & FIRST Robotics)
Build a Dream and FIRST Robotics Canada have joined together to create the 2022 Skilled Trade Scholarship. The ideal candidate will be a woman who has demonstrated strong leadership, is fanatical about science and technology and wants to motivate positive change in the community.
- Deadline to Apply: Closed – Opening Fall 2021
Linamar Women in Engineering (Western University)
This is a unique scholarship that combines funding with the opportunity for a work placement at Linamar as you work on your degree. Linamar’s CEO, Linda Hasenfratz joined us in an interview to talk about how the company and her family donated $5 million to create the scholarship to encourage women to take the 5-year, dual-degree program of Engineering and Business.
- Deadline to Apply: February 18, 2022
Women in Nuclear Canada (WiN)
Young women who are dedicated to their community and their studies – and who demonstrate an interest and career path specifically related to the nuclear industry – can apply for this annual scholarship. As an added bonus, recipients of these funds can also attend the annual WiN conference with accommodations and travel expenses covered up to $1,500.
- Deadline to Apply: August of each year
Support Ontario Youth (SOY)
The applicant’s desire to learn, passion for their given trade and personal interests will all be taken into consideration when choosing scholarship winners.
- Deadline to Apply: March 31, 2022
In addition to the lists above, don’t forget to look for scholarships and bursaries that might be close-to-home:
- Ask your high school for any leads
- Check with community groups that often have awards in place (Royal Canadian Legion, Rotary Club, etc.)
- Search by the school(s) you plan to attend as many awards are specific to region and/or program
- Check with industry-specific associations like the Ontario Network of Women in Engineering (ONWiE) to see if they have compiled a relevant list
- Talk with a recruiting officer at the Canadian Armed Forces
Grab your highlighter and mark a calendar with your plan for what funds to target and when. Good luck!