6 Scholarships over $4,000 Young Women Should Explore
Updated July 9, 2020
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.
Women in Manufacturing Scholarship (CME)
The CME’s Women in Manufacturing program has several initiatives to promote manufacturing with an end-goal of increasing the number of women in manufacturing by 100,000 in 5 years (to reach $525,000 by 2023). One of those initiatives is offering a financial boost to select students.
- Amount: 4 prizes of $4,000 each
- Available to: Women currently pursuing an education or apprenticeship that will lead to a career in manufacturing
- Deadline to Apply: Deadline TBD – Estimated Announcement Spring 2021
- Requirements: 1,000-word essay of why you are choosing a career in manufacturing
Hydro One Women in Engineering Award
Not only is Hydro One handing out $50,000 this year, recipients of the scholarship will also be offered a paid development work term with the company. HINT: Volunteering with Build a Dream is a great way to meet one of the criteria for applying for this award!
- Amount: 10 prizes of $5,000
- Available to: Preference given to electrical engineering students, Ontario university, strong GPA, engaged in outreach, volunteer or educational activities with younger girls
- Deadline to Apply: October 1, 2020
- Requirements: School transcripts, resume
Hydro One also has two other scholarships available that are not gender-specific: The William Peyton Hubbard Award for black students (deadline October 1, 2020), and 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.
- Amount: One $5,000 scholarship, one $3,000 scholarship, and one $2,000 scholarship (USD)
- Available to: Female international/DACA students in STEM degree program in the United States or Canada
- Deadline to Apply: December 31, 2020
- Requirements: Resume, school transcripts (or admission letter)
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.
- Amount: 10 prizes of $7,000 (USD)
- Available to: Women pursuing computer science, engineering, and technical studies in Canada or the United States
- Deadline to Apply: Opens December 2020
- Requirements: TBD
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.
- Amount: 5 prizes of $5,000
- Available to: Women in engineering at undergraduate level
- Deadline to Apply: Opens January 2021
- Requirements: Information letter, summary of related activities, recording of you speaking to your passion for engineering, 2 reference letters, 1 letter of support
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.
- Amount: 2 prizes of $10,000
- Available to: students 17-24 accepted to any college, university, or trades school
- Deadline to apply: Opens February 1, 2021
- Requirements: Application, 500-word essay OR 3-minute video,
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.
- Amount: $1,000 (+ more for U.S. schooling)
- Available to: students in full-time college or university programs or in post-secondary full time automotive vocational programs in Canada.
- Deadline to Apply: September 15 of each year
- Requirements: School transcripts, 1-page essay, letter of recommendation, child of full-time employee with a AIA Canada member
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 accomodations and travel expenses covered up to $1,500.
- Amount: 3 prizes of $3,000
- Available to: Young women in undergraduate university program, graduate program, or technical college/trade school.
- Deadline to Apply: August of each year
- Requirements: School transcripts, 1-page resume with highlighted experience or volunteer work related to the nuclear industry, 2 reference letters
In addition to the lists above, don’t forget to look for scholarships and bursaries that might be close-to-home:
- Ask your 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
Grab your highlighter and mark a calendar with your plan for what funds to target and when. Good luck!