External Scholarships & Bursaries

External Scholarships & Bursaries

The internet has provided students with enormous opportunities to gather information on a variety of topics. The good and bad of this is that the information is always changing. Information is added, changed or deleted with little or no notice to anyone.

For you as students, this means that it can often be difficult to keep up with the changes and additions/deletions of scholarships. So this is our way of saying that we are providing you with the following website information, but we are unable to guarantee its accuracy at any point in time. But don't let that deter you. Jump right in and see what possibilities await you for funding!

Canadian Scholarship & Bursary Opportunities

Several websites are available for students to locate scholarships, bursaries, and grants. While we are providing the most common sites, do some research on your own because there are probably more sites not listed here. Remember that information is always changing and by taking the time to research you can possibly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

  • Campus Access
    Campus Access is a free Canadian website created by recently graduated students for students. It is a broad-based information website that provides information on a wide variety of topics relevant to students, and the decisions that students currently face. There is a section on student loans and scholarships although most of the information is already covered in this booklet.
  • Canadian Forces - Educational Assistance Loan Program
    The Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund, established by the Chief of the Defense Staff, provides financial assistance to serving and former members of the Canadian Forces and their immediate families. SISIP Financial Services facilitates this Educational Assistance Loan Program on behalf of the Canadian Forces. Eligible students can obtain loans from $2,000 to $4,000 (with a lifetime maximum of $16,000 per student) for post-secondary studies. Please refer to the website for more information.
  • Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation
    This site provides information and application forms for several Millennium Awards.

    Millennium Excellence Awards are available to Canadian or permanent resident students beginning their first year of post-secondary education. The Foundation distributes approximately 900 Excellence Awards across Canada each year. These awards are to "recognize the leaders of today and tomorrow and emphasize the importance of supporting their contributions to [Canada's] future." Criteria for these awards are leadership, community involvement, innovation and academic achievement. Applications are due during the month of January. Refer to the website for more information.

    The Millennium Bursary Program Entrance Awards, for first year post secondary studies, are awarded automatically to students based on financial need. These bursaries may range from $1,000 to $4,500, with the average approximately $3000. Need assessment is the responsibility of the provincial financial aid offices and is processed at the time of your application for student loans. Students must complete a student loan application to be considered. Please refer to the website for the current benefits provided by your province or territory.

    Students may receive a lifetime limit of $22,500 from a combination of Foundation Awards for up to 32 non-consecutive months of full-time study. Please note that these awards are considered taxable income under the Income Tax Act. However, the Government of Canada does provide a tax exemption for scholarships and bursaries on the first $3000 of scholarship/bursary income per year.
  • Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation
    The Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation has scholarships available to Canadian or permanent resident students, with a minimum average of 80%, who combine academic excellence and show promise of leadership and a strong commitment to service in the community. Scholarships range from $1500 to $8000. Deadlines are set each year and the selection process involves interviews. Refer to the website or email info@cmsf.ca for more information. Please note that students attending AUC-NUC can only use the CMSF Finalist Award or the CMSF Provincial Award towards their education.
  • Canlearn Interactive
    CanLearn is a broad-based website providing resources and tools for students regarding loans, scholarships and study grants; in addition to other information. This site can help you plan and identify ways to pay for your education.
  • Girl Guides of Canada
    This website provides information on Canadian scholarships for active Guides. Scholarships are available on both a national and provincial level. Search this site using the keyword scholarships to find the appropriate information.
  • Scholarships Canada
    This is a free website that requires students to create an account to access the website's comprehensive database of scholarships, student awards, bursaries and grants. This site also provides information on student loans, applications and budget planning.
  • School Finder
    This is a general site full of useful information from a glossary of terms, to tips for planning and paying for your education. In addition, you can gather information on subjects such as Canadian schools, scholarships, and careers.
  • Student Awards
    Student Awards is a website similar to Scholarships Canada. It is a free scholarship/bursary search service which also requires an account to be created.
  • TD Canada Trust
    TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Community Leadership are open to students across Canada who are in their final year of high school or CEGEP (Quebec). Outstanding community leadership must have been demonstrated in combination with the academic skills to succeed in post-secondary studies. Each scholarship is valued at $60,000 and includes up to $10,000 for tuition per year, $5,000 for living expenses, and a guaranteed offer for summer employment with TD Canada Trust.
  • Top 20 Under 20
    Youth in Motion is a charitable organization that has developed the Top 20 Under 20 National Youth Awards Program, which is open to all Canadians under 20 years of age. Students must have demonstrated a significant level of achievement, innovation and leadership for your school, community, province or country. Awards include up to $1500 towards your education plus additional benefits. Refer to their website. We suggest that you review the award recipients from the past year to get an idea about these scholarships. Applications are generally accepted in the late fall.
  • Youth.gc.ca
    This unique site was created by a team of 400 youths across Canada and is operated by the Canadian government. It provides a wide variety of information for students on jobs, education, money, etc. If you access this site early enough, you may be able to find summer job opportunities and pick up some extra money before school begins!

Alberta

  • First Calgary Savings
    First Calgary Savings' member-owners, their children and grandchildren who have resided in Alberta for the past 12 months.
  • Government of Alberta
    Students who live in Northern Alberta may qualify for a Northern Student Allowance. Refer to the website for eligibility.
  • Peace River School Division
    This website was created by Peace River High School. Information is provided for Grade 10, 11, 12 and undergraduate students.
  • Canada Millennium Bursary Program in Alberta
    Students who apply for student loans will automatically be considered for a Canada Millennium Bursary. Cheques are issues in January each year. The Fact Sheet for Alberta, with the latest information is available on the website.
  • Alberta Opportunity Bursary
    Students who apply for a student loan will also automatically be considered for an Alberta Opportunity Bursary. The amount and date of release is shown on the letter advising the amount you will receive for Student Loans.

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British Columbia

  • BC Awards Online
    This website is maintained by the Greater Victoria School District in conjunction with the Ministry of Education. Please note that many of the awards on this website will be restricted to BC students attending B.C. post-secondary institutions. However, if you are a B.C. resident, take the time to research opportunities on this website - it just might pay off!
  • Canada Millennium Bursary Program
    In the province of British Columbia, Canada Millennium Bursaries will be distributed to eligible students as loan reduction grant awarded at the end of the academic year.

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Manitoba

  • Canada Millennium Bursary Program
    In the Province of Manitoba, Canada Millennium Bursaries are used as loan remissions paid directly to the student's loan provider, generally the Manitoba Student Loan Service Bureau. Awards generally vary between $1,000 and $4500 depending on the level of assessed need.
  • Manitoba Bursaries
    Students who do not qualify for Canada Millennium Bursaries may receive a Manitoba Bursary and are automatically considered for this funding when they complete a Canada/Provincial Student Loan application.

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New Brunswick

  • Canada Millennium Bursary Program
    The Fact Sheet for New Brunswick is available here. New Brunswick pays these bursaries of $2000 to $4000 directly to the student's loan provider as loan remission each June.

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Newfoundland and Labrador

  • Canada Millennium Bursary Program
    Newfoundland and Labrador students may qualify for between $2000 and $3500 paid partly to the student, and the balance reduces the student loan.

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Northwest Territories

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Nova Scotia

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Nunavut

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Ontario

Prince Edward Island

  • Canada Millennium Bursary Program
    Between $2000 and $4000 may be paid directly to your student loan provider. Return the Earnings Verification Form early at the beginning of the September term of studies. Only the first 300 qualified students will receive the funds.

Quebec

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Saskatchewan

  • Canada Millennium Bursary Program
    Saskatchewan pays between $2000 and $4000 directly to the Student Aid Fund. Students are required to have successfully completed 60% of a previous year of full time post-secondary studies.

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Yukon