SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
Helping HDSB students continue their educational journey.
Post-secondary education is expensive for everyone, and it can be a barrier to higher learning for students from low-income families. Thanks to our donors, close to 100 graduating students of the Halton District School Board are recognized annually with over $100,000 in scholarships to continue their education beyond high school. In addition to offering a financial helping hand, HLF scholarships can provide a vote of confidence in a child’s potential.
"I'd like to thank the scholarship donors and the Halton Learning Foundation for the support provided to me over the past three years. In addition to the financial support, I was motivated to continuously challenge myself to achieve higher goals. This motivation led me to successfully graduate from a four-year program in three years with distinction."
Kelly S.
HLF scholarship recipient
| Scholarship | Background/Sponsor | Eligibility & Criteria | Application Checklist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alix Jickling Scholarship | Created by the Jickling family to provide financial support for students pursuing nursing in post-secondary school. | -Graduating student from Georgetown District HS -Student must be pursuing a registered nursing program at college or university immediately following graduation -Recipient should be academically strong -Should demonstrate involvement in school and/or community activities | -Most recent transcript -A one-page essay, including involvement in community and school -Recipient to provide thank you letter -See online application for further details. |
| Ana Cesak Scholarship for Hospitality | Created by the Cesak family in memory of Ana Cesak, who was a strong advocate for education as she had limited access to it during childhood. | -Graduating HDSB student -Pursuing hospitality or culinary arts at post-secondary or apprenticeship immediately following graduation. | -Resume -Three paragraph essay to cover: o Your background o Why this field of study? o How the scholarship will help you |
| Atura Power Engineering Scholarship | Created by Atura Power Halton Hills Generating Station to recognize north Halton students who display leadership, sportsmanship, community involvement and academic achievement. | -Graduating HDSB student from Milton or Halton Hills pursuing electrical, mechanical or chemical engineering at university immediately after graduation. -Min. 80% academic average. -Demonstrated leadership and sportsmanship -Financial need | -Two letters of reference -Transcript -Resume -Essay |
| Atura Power Trades Scholarship | Created by Atura Power Halton Hills Generating Station to recognize north Halton students who display leadership, sportsmanship, community involvement and academic achievement. | -Graduating HDSB student pursuing college studies or an apprenticeship in the mechanical or electrical trades immediately following graduation. -Min. 70% academic average -Demonstrated leadership & sportsmanship -Financial need | -Two letters of reference -Transcript -Resume -Essay |
| Burlington Professional Firefighters Association Community Scholarship | Created to recognize Burlington youth exhibiting community benevolence, school or team leadership and personal excellence. | -Graduating student of an HDSB high school in Burlington -Demonstrated leadership -Academic achievement (avg.75% or better) -Minimum 100 community volunteer hours over your high school career. -Financial need will also be considered. | -Letter of reference from a community organization -Most recent transcript -Letter from the student -See online application for further details. |
| Colin M. Bain Halton Scholarship | Created to celebrate the life and passion of Colin Bain, a former HDSB teacher and coach. | -Graduating or recently-graduated HDSB students pursuing post-secondary education, preferably in Social Sciences (History, Geography, Canadian Law, Sociology or Economics).-Reasonable level of academic achievement -Strength of character, honesty, diligence and reliability -History of community service &/or other volunteering -Demonstrated leadership skills -Financial necessity | -Most recent transcript -Two letters of recommendation. -Letter from the student -See online application for further details. |
| District 15 Retired Teachers of Ontario Academic Spirit Award | Established by the RTO/ERO District 15 Halton to recognize graduating students who have overcome personal or academic obstacles. | -Graduating HDSB students pursuing post-secondary studies at a recognized Canadian college, university or apprenticeship, immediately following graduation. -Good academic performance -A strong work ethic, commitment to studies and service to others -Has overcome obstacles to successfully graduate from high school -Financial need may be considered. | -Letter of support from a guidance counsellor, student success or special ed teacher. -Letter of support from one other teacher -Most recent transcript. -Letter from the student -See online application for further details. |
| Dr. Margaret Ackerman STEM Scholarship | Created to support female identifying students pursuing core sciences — Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering/Technology or Mathematics — who require financial support to pursue post-secondary studies. | -Graduating HDSB female-identifying students pursuing STEM subjects at a recognized Canadian university. -Must be nominated by your school. -Reasonable level of academic achievement (min. B average). -Strong work ethic, responsible and goal-oriented. -Have held a regular, part-time job while attending high school full-time | -Most recent transcript -Resume -Letter of reference from a STEM teacher in the field being pursued. -Letter of reference from student’s workplace. -Student letter outlining why you are a good candidate -See online application for further details. |
| Foster Family Scholarship | Established in honour of Win and Ian Foster. Win is a retired nurse who spent part of her career looking after seniors in care; Ian was an educator with the Halton District School Board who helped advocate for vulnerable students. | -Graduating student of Milton District HS -Pursuing education in healthcare or education, preferably with a focus on vulnerable populations. -Involved in volunteer work (unless they were unable to). | -Short essay to cover the following: -Your background -Any volunteer work -Why you are pursuing this career choice -How this scholarship will help you |
| Fran Lloyd ‘Students Volunteering Abroad’ Bursary | Created to ensure the leadership and initiatives promoted by former MDHS teacher Fran Lloyd will continue in perpetuity. | -HDSB students participating in the “Students Volunteering Abroad” Program. -Demonstrates volunteerism and community mindedness -Financial need that could impede participation in the program without assistance | To apply for this award, please email Sherri Armstrong at armstrongs@haltonlearningfoundation.ca |
| Hatch Scholarship | Established by Hatch Engineering to recognize Indigenous students. | -Graduating HDSB Indigenous student (First Nations, Metis or Inuit). -Pursuing post-secondary studies in engineering or a closely related science program (i.e., environmental, geography, geomatics) -Demonstrated financial need, academic achievement and initiative to succeed. | -A few paragraphs about your academic and career goals -Most recent transcript -1-2 letters of recommendation -See online application for further details. |
| John Horner Halton Social Science Scholarship | Established by retired teacher John Horner to support strong, honest, hardworking students who might not otherwise be eligible for post-secondary undergrad scholarships. | -Graduating or recently-graduated HDSB students pursuing post-secondary education, preferably in Social Sciences (History, Geography, Canadian Law, Sociology or Economics). -Reasonable level of academic achievement -Concern for general welfare of your community -Financial necessity | -Letter outlining academic and career goals, community service -Most recent transcript. -Two letters of recommendation. (one from a teacher) -See online application for further details. |
| Kevin Caughlin Technological Studies Scholarship | Established to commemorate the career and passion of retired HDSB educator Kevin Caughlin, who values apprenticeships and college pathways as excellent opportunities for post-secondary success. | -Successful graduation from grade 12 at any HDSB high school -Enrolment in an apprenticeship or college trades program -Demonstrated desire to pursue technological education. -Financial need may be considered. | -1-2 paragraphs outlining why candidate should receive the award. -Reference letter from a tech studies OR co-op teacher. -A copy of your credit counselling summary. -Current resume. -See online application for further details. |
| Lesley Wiens Scholarship | Created to help new Canadians without the financial means to pursue post secondary education | -Graduating HDSB student whose family has arrived as refugees within 10 yrs -min B average -financial need -demonstrated commitment, work ethic, potential | -Essay -Two reference letters -See online application for more details |
| Mike Shepherd Memorial Scholarship | Established in memory of Mike Shepherd, a proud graduate of MDHS and recognized businessman and philanthropist. | -Graduating student from Milton District HS who is pursuing post-secondary studies in Business or STEM subjects. -Minimum 85% average in high school. -Have overcome a life challenge (or are working to). | -Resume – to cover work and volunteer experience -One-two page essay to cover the following: o Secondary program chosen, and why o Career aspirations following post-secondary o A life challenge you’ve overcome (or are working to) o How you’ve demonstrated leadership (in the classroom, sports or community) o How will this award help you financially. -Most recent transcript |
| Muslim Scholarship | Established by the Muslim Scholarship Fund to recognize students who go above and beyond to help those who are less fortunate. | -Graduating HDSB students, regardless of religion, who are pursuing full-time post-secondary studies. -Strong, honest, hardworking, reliable -A history of community service or other volunteering -Possess strong leadership skills. | -High school transcript from Grades 9 through Gr. 12 (most recent) -Two letters of reference. -An essay from the student -See online application for further details. |
| Neil J. Guiry Construction Scholarship | Created to commemorate the life and passion of Neil Guiry. Neil was the owner of a building/construction company and husband to Pat Guiry, a retired HDSB social worker. | -Graduating HDSB OYAP student enrolled in one of: o Halton Home Builders’ Program o Carpentry or Cabinet Maker Program o Electrician Program o HVAC Program o General Machinist Program o Tool & Die Maker Program o Industrial Mechanic/Millwright Program o Welder/Welder Fitter Program -Desire to pursue Skilled Trades in post-secondary -Financial need that may prevent further pursuit of post-secondary education | -A paragraph from both student and nominator -Your current resume -Letter of recommendation from co-op or technology teacher -Letter of recommendation from a relevant member of the community. -See online application for further details. |
| Lily Grace Foundation Scholarship | Created to support youth pursuing a career in the helping professions who face financial barriers to meeting their goals. | -Grade 12 graduating students from any HDSB high school. -Pursuing post-secondary studies in humanities, social studies or a helping profession. -Demonstrate leadership, community engagement and interest in working with people. -Demonstrated financial need and motivation to overcome barriers. | -A letter from the student. -Most recent transcript. -Letter of reference from a graduating year subject teacher -Letter of reference from a community organization with which you have worked or volunteered. -See online application for further details. |
| Paula Liu Family Scholarship | Created to honour the memory of Paula Liu, who showed strength and perseverance through hardships in her life. As a widow with no family in Canada, she supported her children through post-secondary education. | -Graduating HDSB students from a single parent* led family pursuing post-secondary education. -Demonstrated resilience -Minimum average of 80% -Involved in co-curriculars at school or in the community. *(Including families where one parent is critically ill.) | -Most recent transcript -Current resume -One reference from a community member, teacher or social worker -1-2 paragraphs written by the student -See online application for further details. |
| Stuart Miller Bright Future Award | Created in honour of retired HDSB Director of Education Stuart Miller to help launch a graduating student in the direction of their dreams. | -Graduating HDSB student -Does NOT have to be pursuing post-secondary education -Demonstrated perseverance in the face of personal obstacles. -Has engaged positively in the school community. -Has demonstrated sportspersonship and/or leadership in pursuit of justice/human rights. | -One reference letter (from a teacher, principal, employer or mentor) -A one-page written submission OR video submission from the student explaining how your background or experiences match the scholarship criteria. |
| Sunshine Building Maintenance Environmental Stewardship Scholarship | Established by Sunshine Building Maintenance to recognize outstanding environmental achievements. | -Graduating HDSB student pursuing post-secondary education at a Canadian college, university or apprenticeship following graduation. -Reasonable level of academic achievement -Outstanding environmental achievements -Volunteer hours in the community, Earth Day initiatives and financial need are also considerations. | -A short letter from the student -Most recent transcript -Letter of reference from one teacher and at least one community organization with which you have volunteered -See online application for further details. |
| Virox Science and Innovation Award | Created by Virox Technologies to recognize students pursuing science at university. | -Graduating HDSB students pursuing university studies in biology, chemistry, physics, other BSc.. -Minimum 80% average in sciences. -Demonstrated work ethic, curiosity and passion for learning, science and innovation. | -Most recent transcript -Reference from a teacher (optional) -Letter from the student about academic/career goals. -See online application for further details. |
| Wendy Ernst Journey to Success Scholarship | Created in memory of former HDSB teacher Wendy Ernst to provide financial support for students who are willing to take on a challenge and learn from it,. | -Graduating HDSB students -Pursuing post-secondary studies or an apprenticeship. -Has overcome significant personal challenges. -Deeply involved in community volunteer work and/or school extra-curricular activities. -Demonstrated motivation to do well. | -Two letters of reference (two from teachers; OR one from a teacher and one from a volunteer placement or workplace). -A written submission (up to one page) from the student explaining how your background or experiences match the scholarship criteria. |
For information about the awards above or to set up a new scholarship, please email Sherri at armstrongs@haltonlearningfoundation.ca.
Click here to see HLF awards selected by schools.
