CNIB Master's Scholarships

What you will need

• ✓ Completed application form
• ✓ Proof of secondary education completion (interim)
• ✓ Two reference letters (one academic and one community source) on official letterhead in an accessible format
• ✓ Letter of acceptance from an accredited post-secondary institution, college, or university
• ✓ Transcript (interim)
• ✓ Short essay (maximum two pages) detailing how a CNIB scholarship will change what it means to be blind for you in your education

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted for the general master's awards, but the OSR Clinics Psychology Scholarship provides two awards of $3,000 each. As these are scholarships, not loans, you do not have to pay this money back. Contact CNIB Foundation to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. This is for you if you are a university graduate with sight loss who is pursuing a master's degree and has a record of high academic achievement. Applications for the 2027/28 school year open in spring 2027, and no closing date is posted yet — check CNIB Foundation's page then. For the last round, CNIB said it would get in touch with every applicant by the end of the summer, whatever the outcome. CNIB doesn't publish how many people apply — email scholarships@cnib.ca if you want to judge your odds. A selection committee reviews all applications, and you are automatically considered for every scholarship you're eligible for unless stated otherwise. Ask CNIB Foundation during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with CNIB Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be blind, Deafblind, or have low vision (defined as a best corrected visual acuity of 20/70 or worse and/or a visual field of 20 degrees or narrower). You must be a university graduate pursuing a master's degree. You must be a Canadian citizen or have held landed immigrant status for at least one year before applying. You must be motivated, independent, and show a strong level of personal achievement and high academic standing. You must be studying at a Canadian university, or a foreign university where you express a commitment to return to Canada. A preference will be given to students planning to undertake theoretical and practical research at a Canadian university. For the OSR Clinics Psychology Scholarship, you must be an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing an education in psychology who has shown strong leadership, academic excellence, and the ability to overcome barriers.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• ✓ Open to graduate students
• ✓ Studying psychology

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Order your transcript1–2 weeks

   Your school's registrar can take a week or two.

3. 3

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

4. 4

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

5. 5

   Check this year's deadline

   We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's official page will have it.

Tips for applying

• EssayAvoid writing a generic academic statement. Instead, focus on the specific prompt about how this funding changes what it means to be blind for you in your education. Describe a concrete challenge you faced and how the scholarship removes a specific barrier.
• ReferencesAvoid using references that cannot provide a professional letter. Instead, ensure your academic and community referees use official letterhead and a professional format. Check that the documents are in an accessible format before you upload them.
• StrategyAvoid applying for just one specific award. Since you are automatically considered for all eligible scholarships, spend your time polishing your main essay and transcripts to appeal to the whole committee.
• RealismAvoid assuming the award is guaranteed based on grades alone. Because the committee looks for "personal achievement" and "overcoming barriers," make sure your essay highlights your resilience alongside your GPA.

Questions students ask

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