Hamilton Community Foundation Scholarships and Bursaries

What you will need

• ✓ An account on Hamilton Community Foundation's scholarships and bursaries portal, and a passed eligibility quiz for each bursary you apply for
• ✓ Social Insurance Number
• ✓ Student number
• ✓ OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program — the provincial government's financial aid for students) Funding Summary
• ✓ Statement of tuition payment for current semester or full academic year
• ✓ Transcript of final secondary school marks (for first-time applicants only)

About this award

No fixed dollar amounts are posted for these awards — contact Hamilton Community Foundation to confirm the value for your specific bursary or scholarship before you apply. As these are bursaries and scholarships, they are grants, not loans, so you do not have to pay them back. This is for you if you are a student from the Hamilton or Burlington area who needs financial help to cover tuition, housing, and other education costs. Deadlines depend on the award: the Student Awards program has deadlines on October 1 and February 2, while the David Davis Memorial Bursary and Geritol Follies Bursary are due October 1. When you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back — email, portal, or phone. Applicants must show financial need through an OSAP application and be registered full-time. Ask Hamilton Community Foundation roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Funds are paid directly to your educational institution on your behalf. Confirm with Hamilton Community Foundation during your application if this affects how you receive your other funding. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Hamilton Community Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be registered and enrolled full-time in post-secondary studies and demonstrate financial need through your OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program — the provincial government's financial aid for students) application. Specific requirements apply based on the award: - For the Student Awards program: you must be a graduate of a publicly funded high school in Hamilton. - For the Geritol Follies Bursary: you must be a graduate of a publicly funded high school in Hamilton or Burlington and study performing arts (voice, drama, dance, or musical instrument). - For the David Davis Memorial Bursary: you must study music. - For the E.B. Eastburn Postdoctoral Fellowship Fund: you must be a post-doctoral student in the sciences at McMaster University. - For the Charlie and Mabel Duncan Memorial Bursary: preference is given to graduates of publicly funded Hamilton high schools. - For the Grace Dorothy Carpenter, William P. Carpenter, and Phyllis Mary Carpenter Awards: preference is given to graduates of publicly funded high schools in Hamilton or Burlington.

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.

• ✓ Open to post-secondary students
• ✓ Resident of Ontario
• ✓ Studying Music, Performing arts, voice, drama, dance, musical instrument, Business, Commerce, Management, Undergraduate Medical, sciences, Child and Youth Care, Early Childhood Education, Educational Support, Social Service Worker, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Tool and Die Design, Mechanical and Industrial Technology or Environmental Engineering

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

   Write your essay

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

4. 4

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• Financial NeedAvoid simply stating you need money. Instead, ensure your OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program — the provincial government's financial aid for students) Funding Summary is updated and accurately reflects your current situation. Upload a clear PDF of your latest summary.
• SupportAvoid submitting vague documents. Instead, provide a formal statement of tuition payment for your current semester or the full academic year. Contact your school's registrar if you need a certified copy.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the deadline to create your account. Instead, set up your profile on the Foundant Technologies portal early so you can focus on the eligibility quizzes. Complete your profile once to use it for all future applications.
• RealismAvoid assuming you qualify for every award. Instead, take the eligibility quiz for each opportunity on the portal carefully. Only apply for the ones where you pass the quiz to save your time.

Questions students ask

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