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 $200,000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| Dr. Margaret Ackerman STEM Scholarship | Created to support female identifying students pursuing core sciences underrepresented by females — Physics, Chemistry, Engineering/Technology or Mathematics — who require financial support to pursue post-secondary studies. | -Graduating HDSB female-identifying students pursuing STEM subjects (as described on left) at a recognized Canadian university. -Should have above average financial need. -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 |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| Neil J. Guiry Trades Award | Created to commemorate the life and passion of Neil Guiry. Neil was the owner of a building/construction company and mentor to many youth entering the trades. | -Graduating HDSB OYAP student -Be enrolled as a registered apprentice in one of the trades -Financial need that may prevent further pursuit of post-secondary education |
| 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| Vidur Chowdhury Memorial Scholarship | Created in memory of HDSB student Vidur to honour a spirit of lifelong learning. | -Graduating Burlington HDSB high school student with financial need who has a demonstrated commitment to succeed in learning. Min avg. of 70%. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| William G. Davis Scholarship | Created by FCT in honour of former Ontario premier and FCT chairman Bill Davis. | -Grade 12 graduating students from any HDSB high school. -Pursuing post-secondary studies at college or university -Demonstrated financial need and motivation to overcome barriers. -Demonstrated leadership and community engagement. |
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.
