Eight Ontario Scholarships Available for Women

A look at scholarships female students can apply for

Many scholarships offered in Ontario often go unused because students do not apply for them. Some of these scholarships are specifically curated to empower and encourage women to apply to their dream schools. 

From sports to engineering, here are eight scholarships available for women studying in Ontario.

Hydro One Women in Engineering

This Hydro One scholarship is offered to women seeking education and wishing to pursue a career in engineering. 

In addition to a cash award of C$5,000, recipients of the scholarship are also awarded a paid 12 to 16-month developmental position with the company. 

10 scholarships are distributed to women in engineering at an accredited Ontario university. 

Chris Critelli Women’s Basketball Scholarship

The Chris Critelli scholarship is offered to two female Brock University students in any year of their undergraduate degree. 

Potential candidates need to show dedication and commitment to their athletics and academics. 

The award is named after Chris Critelli, an iconic figure in Canadian women’s basketball and co-founder of the Brock University women’s basketball team.

Provincial Women’s Softball Association Scholarship and Bursary Program

In 1986, the Provincial Women’s Softball Association (PWSA) established a scholarship foundation to help female student-athletes pursue post-secondary education. 

The program now includes two categories named for influential women in Ontario softball: the Bette Kalailieff Memorial Strive for Excellence Scholarship Fund and the Wendy Cathcart Bursary. 

To be granted a scholarship, students must be from Ontario and show dedication to academics, leadership, helping others and athletics, particularly softball.  

The Helen Bassett Commemorative Student Award

Each year, four Indigenous women, two-spirit or gender-diverse students are awarded $1,000 from the National Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC). 

The award is made possible by donations from Helen Bassett. Bassett is an artist and advocate for Indigenous women and their rights. The award’s purpose is to continue the advancement of Indigenous women’s education. 

Recipients must be below the age of 31 and passionate about improving the situation for Canada’s Indigenous women and youth. They must also be currently enrolled in post-secondary school and demonstrate financial need.

The Alison Dewar Scholarship in Women’s Equality, Labour and Human Rights Law

The Alison Dewar Scholarship was created in memory of Alison Dewar, who studied law at the University of Ottawa. The scholarship is funded by Raven Law and the National Association of Women and Law (NAWL). 

Each year, a female law student interested in women’s equality, union-side labour or human rights law is the scholarship recipient.

De Beers Group Scholarships for Canadian Women

The De Beers Group scholarship promotes the inclusion of women in post-secondary education. 

This award is available for women across Canada. There are four awards available for women, each valued at $7,000. 

Applicants must be entering their first year of an undergraduate program in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) or a STEM-related program. Preference is given to Indigenous women or women located in northern Ontario, southern Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. 

#HerPower Sponsored by EllisDon

This set of scholarships is valued at $5,000 and is awarded annually to five female students ($1,000 each) who are experiencing financial barriers and looking to achieve their career goals. 

The awarding of the scholarships is based on five categories: skilled trades, STEM, emergency response, entrepreneurship and leadership. 

Women in Defence and Security (WiDS) Scholarship

The annual WiDS scholarship was launched in 2006 to encourage women to pursue education in relation to Canada’s security and defence. 

In 2022, the scholarship is valued at $10, 000. 

These are just some of the bursaries available at different colleges and universities throughout Ontario. If you are in the process of applying to post-secondary school, consider these scholarships as a tool to help further your success. 

Among the criteria to be eligible for the scholarship, candidates must identify as a woman, be enrolled in a Canadian university or college, provide evidence of leadership and show an interest in pursuing a career related to Canada’s defence and security.