Schools recognize that grades are not the only indicator of success in students. So many other aspects like community and extracurricular involvement also demonstrate your success.

Additionally, many of our generous donors recognize that financial stress and hardship can impact academic performance. We have dedicated several awards to students who demonstrate financial need.

Once you become an official Ontario Tech student, there are multiple awards and scholarships that you may be eligible to apply for. Some of these require separate applications, which can be completed through MyOntarioTech under the Student awards and financial aid section.

Below we will outline seven of our awards and bursaries that don't require high grades to be considered:

1. Andrew Desmond Memorial Bursary

This undergraduate award is for first- and second-year mature students studying in the Faculties of Engineering and Applied Science (FEAS), Health Science (FHSc) and Social Science and Humanities (FSSH). This memorial award, valued at $3,000, looks to support two students and keep the fun-loving and energetic spirit of Andrew Desmond alive. 

2. Baker Tilly KDN LLP Award

This $2,500 award is for full-time students in the Faculty of Business and Information Technology (FBIT) at any year level. Anyone within the faculty who demonstrates financial need is encouraged to apply.  

3. Bert Dejeet Memorial Award

This memorial award is designated to students in the Criminology and Justice - Advanced Entry program. It is available for full-time students—at any year level—who demonstrate financial need and is valued at $1,000. 

4. Deb Clarke Award

This undergraduate award is for all faculty students in their second, third or fourth year. The winner of this $3,000 award must be an Ontario resident studying full-time, in good academic standing and demonstrating financial need. 

5. Jan Draak Memorial Award

This memorial award is available for full-time students in all year levels studying in FHSc. Valued at $800, this can help students pay for their textbooks and school supplies. 

6. PWU Women for STEM Scholarship

This undergraduate scholarship is available to full-time students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs. Students studying in FBIT, FEAS, FHSc and the Faculty of Science (FSc) are all eligible. Three recipients of this award will receive $5,000 each, and 10 recipients will receive $2,000. 

7. Vaso Vujanovic MVP Award

This $500 undergraduate award is available to full-time students of all year levels and faculties who are members of our Ridgeback Varsity soccer teams. These two awards are presented to students nominated as MVPs during the university's Athletic Banquet. 

Eliminating financial barriers to academic success is important to us at Ontario Tech, and these are just a few of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to this. Many of our generous donors recognize that financial barriers can impact academic performance, so they provide awards and scholarships to students based on financial need rather than grade average. 

I encourage everyone experiencing financial hardship and stress to apply for all the awards they are eligible for. These awards are here to support you, so don't hesitate!

Want to learn more about the ways Ontario Tech financially supports our students?