RBC Elevate Scholarship

RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)

Get up to $15,000 for your post-secondary studies if you are aged 17-29. The 2026 window closed March 26 and these awards run annually.

Published by G Paul · last checked September 24, 2026

Up to

$15,000

Next deadline

Feb 2, 2027

Level

Certificate

Open to

Across Canada

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or Protected Person/Convention Refugee status
Age (17-29)
Proof of application or enrollment at an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution
Proof of full course load enrollment

About this award

You can receive up to $15,000 for your education. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. There are 40 scholarships available annually. This is for you if you are aspiring to attend post-secondary studies but need financial support to get there. The 2026 window ran February 2 to March 26 and has closed. These 40 awards are given out annually, so check RBC's scholarship page for the next window. In 2026 the portal closed at 1pm on the deadline day, or as soon as 500 applications were submitted. Ask RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) how and when you will be notified of the results. Selection criteria aren't published, but the funder will review up to 500 submitted applications. Ask RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) how winners are chosen and how competitive the process is so you can judge your odds. Ask RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) 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 RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You are eligible if you are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or have proof of status as a Protected Person or Convention Refugee from Immigration and Citizenship Canada (though claimants are not eligible). You must be between the ages of 17-29 at the time you apply. You must have applied to, or be currently attending, an accredited post-secondary institution in Canada and require financial assistance. You must maintain a full course load that leads to a recognized degree, certificate, or diploma and show strong potential to successfully complete the program. Your course must be a minimum of two years in duration and up to 4 years (or until the degree is obtained) and be provided by a Canadian education institution with recognized provincial degree or diploma-granting powers. University preparatory programs are not eligible.

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, permanent resident, protected person or refugee
Open to certificate students

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

Financial NeedAvoid giving a vague statement about needing money. Instead, provide a clear breakdown of your tuition gaps and living costs. List your specific shortfall to show exactly why this $15,000 makes a difference.
SupportMany applicants provide generic character references. Instead, secure letters from teachers or mentors who can specifically vouch for your "strong potential to successfully complete" a multi-year program. Ask your referee to give a concrete example of your academic persistence.
StrategyBecause the portal closes automatically after 500 applications, waiting until the closing date is a huge risk. The 2026 window ran February 2 to March 26; when the next one opens, submit on the first day to be among the first 500 reviewed.
RealismWith only 40 awards available for a pool of at least 500 applicants, the odds are tight. Treat this as a bonus rather than your primary funding source and continue applying for other grants simultaneously.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

Applications close on February 2, 2027. Submit a day or two early: application sites get busy at the end.

Can international students apply?

No. You need to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person or refugee.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Sep 24, 2026