The Government of Canada provides various types of scholarship to students. The most popular ones are the Canada Student Loans and Grants which are available to full-time students between 18 and 45 years old who demonstrate financial need, and the Canada Student Grants that can help students pay for tuition, books, school supplies and living expenses.
For more information about these programs, visit the government of Canada’s official website: www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/education/student-financial-aid/student-financing-programs/canada-student-loans-grants
What are government scholarships?
Government scholarships are given to assist Canadian students with financing their post-secondary education.
The application process for these is easy, as it is only required to fill out an online form in order to apply. If a student qualifies for the scholarships, they will receive funding from the government that covers either all or some of their post-secondary tuition and fees.
They can also be combined with OSAP or other programs that provide financial assistance in the form of loans or grants. Applicants must meet the criteria for citizenship, residency status, enrolment status (full-time or part-time), and previous academic performance.
Depending on how many years you want to study at school, you may be eligible for different levels of funding. For example, if you’re going to study at university full-time for three years, then you would qualify for the maximum amount of government scholarship.
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However, if you’re going to attend school full-time but over a period of four years instead of three, then your award would decrease proportionally by one year’s worth.
Types of government scholarships
Scholarships offered by the government are a way to help support you as you strive to reach your goals. Scholarships can provide partial or full funding towards a particular school, program, apprenticeship, or research project in order to increase access and eliminate barriers.
There are several types of government scholarships that are worth checking out depending on your field of study or career. Here is a list of some potential options:
– Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Strategy (APSE) scholarships offer up to $5,000 for eligible students who pursue post-secondary education.
Applicants must be of Aboriginal ancestry and identify with one of the following communities: Métis, First Nations (Inuit/M’ikmaw), or non-status Indian.
These scholarships are available through various institutions, including colleges and universities across Canada.
– The Aerospace Engineering Technology Scholarships are available for aerospace engineering technology programs in provinces such as Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. These scholarships cover tuition fees up to $1,500 per year and may be combined with other scholarship opportunities.
Steps to follow
Students can gain government scholarships in a variety of ways, but the best way to start is to research scholarship listings and go through the application process.
The best thing about scholarship programs is that they are just as competitive as college admissions and offer a wide range of avenues for high school students.
1) Study up on what scholarships are available
2) Determine which ones you meet eligibility requirements for
3) Fill out applications and other relevant paperwork
4) Wait! You should receive word back by late July if you’re accepted or not. If you don’t hear anything back by August 15th, it’s safe to assume that your application was denied.
Don’t fret! There are many more options out there for potential candidates who didn’t get their dream scholarship award this year. Plus, there’s always next year!
Who is eligible?
Eligibility for the Canadian Government Educational Assistance Plan (CEAP) is based on financial need and/or enrollment in an approved program of study at a designated institution.
Students may be eligible if they are pursuing a full-time post-secondary education, graduate or doctoral studies. Students with disabilities who require assistance can apply for funding assistance to help meet the cost of university tuition and living expenses.
There are several universities across Canada that offer students with disabilities scholarships. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind offers blind students financial support through scholarships, bursaries and awards as well as providing academic and vocational guidance.
Universities such as Ryerson University also offer disability scholarships for those who qualify. Furthermore, disabled people can get funded by the Accessibility Fund to ensure accessibility of buildings, equipment and services.
With this scholarship fund there is no age limit for recipients nor do they have to provide proof of their disability status.
What documents do I need?
Different scholarships have different eligibility requirements, so always double-check the guidelines to see what you’ll need to submit.
The University of Toronto requires students to send an online application form and a supplementary information form. If you’re submitting the UoT application for more than one school, use our transfer equivalency tool to find out if the courses you’ve taken are considered equivalent at other universities.
What else do I need?: Take care when completing your university or college transcript as this is one of the most important documents you will submit. Make sure your grades are accurate and that any co-op placements or credit from AP exams have been included on your transcript.
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One document you’ll want to make sure is included on your transcript is any English test result you might have achieved. The University of Toronto requires students to provide an official TOEFL, IELTS or CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment) test score when applying.
You can take the English test after enrolling in an undergraduate program but before starting classes. As with all admission materials, be sure to keep copies of all documents submitted during the application process for future reference.
These records are particularly helpful should you wish to reapply for the same scholarship next year or should there be any discrepancies regarding your acceptance. Remember, too, that successful applicants must also supply proof of registration fee payment by the specified deadline.
If you’re admitted conditional on meeting these criteria, follow up with an email confirming receipt of tuition and student fees payments in order to avoid cancellation.
Conclusion
Scholarships are a key tool for international students who wish to pursue their studies in Canada.
To help these people from all around the world, the government of Canada provides scholarship opportunities as they offer assistance to some of the most brilliant minds that aim to build a better tomorrow.
The three scholarships we talked about here are only three examples among many others, but they will give you an idea of how to apply for any one of them and what your chance is of getting it.