Awards, Bursaries and Scholarships
We want to thank our amazing donors for their generous contributions to our awards, bursaries and scholarships, and for helping students realize their goals. Thanks to this support, Algonquin College is able to give out over $7M each year in awards, bursaries and scholarships.
We’ve created this new database to make it easier than ever to see the different funding options available to our students and to recognize our amazing donors. We all want to help you on your academic journey in any way we can.
How is a bursary different from a scholarship, award, or loan?
A bursary is awarded based on financial need, whereas a scholarship is generally awarded for academic achievement. Awards are issued based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, or other activities like volunteerism and leadership. Awards can take various forms, including a sum of money, a medal, a plaque, books, tools, or memberships. These types of awards are listed below as Merit-based. Unlike loans, funds that are given as a bursary, award, or scholarship do not need to be paid back.
Bursary Application
Each term in the academic year, we open up our bursary portal for students to apply for additional funding. We use an almost all-in-one portal to help students apply. If you are unsure how to apply for a bursary, visit our How to Apply for Bursaries page to learn more. In order to be considered for many of the awards below you MUST fill out a bursary application when it’s open, so don’t snooze on this!
- The Fall bursary application period is generally open from late August to late September.
- The Winter bursary window is usually late December to mid-January.
- The spring bursary application window will usually be late April to mid-May.
If you are looking for specific dates, you can check the Academic Calendar or the How to Apply for Bursaries page. In fact, you should really bookmark both of those; they are extremely handy.
Separate Application Required
In some rare cases, awards require an external or separate application. These are listed below and are marked with a “Yes” under ‘Application Required’? Usually, there are additional requirements specific to the award. Make sure you meet the criteria and submit your application before the deadline.
Important Note: If a specific application form is not available, you MUST apply for a bursary through the centralized bursary application to be considered. Please visit How to Apply for a Bursary for details.
| Award | Fund Type | Campus | Open to International Students? | Term Awarded | Application Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 123Dentist Award Awarded to students in Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting (Levels I and II) programs with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate enthusiasm, dedication, and passion for the dental profession. Preference given to students who complete work placement at any 123Dentist location. | Award (Merit-based) | Ottawa | Yes | Fall, Spring | |
| 1Department Leadership in Film Award Awarded to a graduating student enrolled in Film and Media Production program with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The successful candidate will be a positive ambassador for the Algonquin film program in and outside of the college, inspire others to work collaboratively and creatively, demonstrate leadership through kindness and respect, always models excellent safety practices on film sets, and selfless in their desire to help and support classmates. | Award (Merit-based) | Ottawa | Yes | Spring | |
| A.T.Pawlowicz Memorial Scholarship Awarded to two full-time Electrical Engineering Technology students achieving the highest grade in Power Electronics (one award) and Robotics and Controls (one award), respectively. | Scholarship (Academic performance-based) | Ottawa | Yes | Fall | |
| AAADD Bursary Applications for the AAADD Bursary are accepted in February of each year. The Bursary assists students who are at risk of not being able to continue their education in AAADD due to financial need. Successful applicants have the value of the bursary applied towards their spring term tuition costs.
The number and the value of the bursaries awarded each year depend upon the amount of money raised in the fall fundraising campaign. | Bursary (Financial need-based) | Ottawa | Yes | Spring | |
| Abdul Abdulrahman Bursary Abdul Abdulrahman Respiratory Therapy Bursary*
Awarded to students enrolled in the Respiratory Therapy program who can demonstrate financial need. (Allied Health) | Bursary (Financial need-based) | Ottawa | Yes | Winter | |
| AC Aid Entrance Bursary What’s better than a world-class education? Getting help to fund it!
To qualify, you need to:
Be a first-time Algonquin College Student
Be entering Level 1 of an eligible program
Apply for the bursary online through your ACSIS account
Be approved for OSAP
Have a demonstrated financial need
International Students and students registered in Apprenticeship, Bridging, Contract and Graduate Certificate programs are not eligible.
Entrance Bursaries are awarded based on financial need. We expect the number of applicants to be greater than the bursaries available so applicants are not guaranteed to receive an Entrance Bursary. Applicants will receive an email notification with a decision. | Bursary (Financial need-based) | Ottawa, Pembroke, Perth | Fall, Winter, Spring | ||
| AC Massage Therapy Award of Excellence Awarded to a graduating Massage Therapy student who has demonstrated professionalism, communication and clinical reasoning by incorporating an evidence based-informed approach to treatment and client care. (WRI) | Award (Merit-based) | Ottawa | Yes | Spring | |
| AC Rainbow Bursary Awarded to 2SLGBTQ+ students enrolled at the Ottawa, Perth, Pembroke, or Online Campus who can demonstrate financial need. Special consideration will be given to students who identify as Black, Indigenous, disabled, trans, and/or non-binary. | Bursary (Financial need-based) | Ottawa, Pembroke, Perth, AC Online | Yes | Fall, Winter, Spring | |
| Adamson Associates Architects Bursary Adamson Architects Associates has established the Adamson Architects Bursary to support Indigenous Students enrolled in either the Architect Technician or the Architect Technology Program offered through the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence. | Bursary (Financial need-based) | Ottawa, AC Online | Yes | Fall, Winter, Spring | |
| ADGA Bursary The ADGA Bursary provides ten bursaries per year to students enrolled in any School of Advanced Technology program. Priority is given to Indigenous and or female students. | Bursary (Financial need-based) | Ottawa, Pembroke, Perth, AC Online | Yes | Fall, Winter | |
| Advocis Award Awarded to graduating students enrolled in the Business Administration – Finance program. | Award (Merit-based) | Ottawa | Yes | Fall | |
| Advocis Ottawa Chapter -Kristan Birchard Bursary Awarded to full-time students enrolled in the Business Administration program who can demonstrate financial need. | Bursary (Financial need-based) | Ottawa | Fall | ||
| Affinity Production Group Cinematography Award The Affinity Production Group Cinematography Award is given to one (1) student in the Film and Media Production program who:
reliably enhances a films story with composition and movement
creates unique visual aesthetics by manipulating colour, light and shadow
plans and executes film shoots with exceptional attention to detail, organization and respect
follows and encourages safe film-set practices, and above all
demonstrates a passion and desire to pursue the craft of cinematography. | Award (Merit-based) | Ottawa | Spring | ||
| Affinity Productions Editor of the Year Award Awarded to students enrolled in the Broadcasting – Television program who clearly demonstrate a thorough understanding of linear and non-linear editing systems. | Award (Merit-based) | Ottawa | Spring | ||
| Aggarwal Paramedic Bursary The Aggarwal Paramedic Bursary is awarded to two (2) first year (1st) students in the Paramedic Program (2nd semester) based on financial need. | Bursary (Financial need-based) | Ottawa | Winter | ||
| Agnes Wee Memorial Bursary (Ottawa Community Foundation) Awarded to students enrolled in the Developmental Services Program who can demonstrate financial need. (Community Studies) | Bursary (Financial need-based) | Ottawa | Yes | Fall | |
| Al Lee Award Awarded to apprentice students enrolled in the Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship program who have a minimum B average and demonstrates leadership qualities, teamwork and a strong work ethic. | Award (Merit-based) | Ottawa | Fall | ||
| Alan White Memorial Bursary Awarded to students enrolled in the Broadcasting – Television program who can demonstrate financial need. | Bursary (Financial need-based) | Ottawa | Yes | Winter | |
| Alexander Asmis Leadership Award Awarded to an Algonquin College soccer athlete who demonstrates leadership on the field and sets an example for others to follow by pushing them to be better. Recipient should also demonstrate: love of the game, sportsmanship, care and work ethic, compassion for teammates, help to develop other players and build morale within teammates. | Award (Merit-based) | Ottawa | Yes | Fall | |
| Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) Bursary Awarded to students enrolled in any Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence program who can demonstrate financial need. | Bursary (Financial need-based) | Ottawa | Fall, Winter | ||