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.
Applications for scholarships are open now.
"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. |
| The Atura Power Skilled Trades Scholarship | Created by Atura Power, which plays a vital role in Ontario’s electricity system and generation supply, to financially assist a student graduating from an Oakville HDSB high school to continue his or her studies at an Ontario community college or accredited trade school in a skilled trade. | -Graduating HDSB students from an Oakville high school pursuing one of the following mechanical or electrical trades at an Ontario community college or accredited trade school: o 433A – Industrial Mechanic Millwright o 426A – Construction Millwright o 429A – General Machinist o 442A – Industrial Electrician o 309A – Electrician (Construction & Maintenance) o 447A – Instrumentation & Controls Technician o A power (operating) engineering program approved by the Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) o Another skilled trades program if there is no graduating student pursuing one of the above skilled trades -Must have 70% or better academic average -Leadership skills and extracurricular activities are ideal, but not required -Financial need |
| Burlington Hydro Scholarship | Created by Atura Power, which plays a vital role in Ontario’s electricity system and generation supply, to financially assist a student graduating from an Oakville HDSB high school to continue his or her studies at an Ontario community college or accredited trade school in a skilled trade. | -Graduating HDSB students from an Burlington high school pursuing post-secondary education in one of the following at an accredited institution: • Powerline Technician, • Electrical Engineering Technician, • Electrician, • Energy Systems Engineering -Has completed a high school co-op in a Trade. -Has demonstrated financial need. -Has participated in co-curriculars. -Has strong verbal and written communication skills, including reading comprehension -Has demonstrated a commitment to safety and working as part of a team to ensure the highest standards of safety are upheld |
| 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. |
| Georgetown Hospital Professional Staff Association Scholarships | The Georgetown Hospital PSA Scholarships were created to support students graduating from Halton Hills secondary schools pursuing studies in science leading to an application in medicine. | -Graduating Halton HIlls HDSB student pursuing post-secondary education in the sciences at an Ontario university. -Students can apply for one of the following awards recognizing achievements in: • Sciences • Community Participation • Leadership in Action -Students will complete an essay that includes demonstrating financial need. |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Professional Staff Association Scholarships | The OTMH PSA Scholarships were created to support students graduating from Oakville secondary schools pursuing studies in science leading to an application in medicine. | -Graduating Oakville HDSB student pursuing post-secondary education in the sciences at an Ontario university. -Students can apply for one of the following awards recognizing achievements in: • Sciences • Community Participation • Leadership in Action -Students will complete an essay that includes demonstrating financial need. |
| 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 Jim at martinj@haltonlearningfoundation.ca.
Click here to see HLF awards selected by schools.
