TVEF Scholarship Rant!

March is the time of year for current Grade 12s to start applying for scholarships, bursaries, and awards! 

Most people think scholarships are only for students with the highest marks. However, community involvement, extracurricular activities, sports, arts contributions, family background, and part-time employment all play a role in scholarship eligibility.  Taking your time is important when applying. This is your chance to stand out and showcase your accomplishments.

GDHS students are eligible to apply for awards through the following:

1. Thames Valley Education Foundation Awards
2. GDHS Community Awards (Bursaries, Awards, and Scholarships donated by local community partners and donors)
3. Opportunities Beyond TVEF and GDHS   

THAMES VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION AWARDS

The application process for Thames Valley Education Foundation Awards will open March 1, 2026.  All Grade 12s are strongly encouraged to apply.  

TVEF AWARD APPLICATIONS ARE DUE MARCH 31, 2026 by 11:59PM.  NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  ***PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO APPLY.  START WORKING ON YOUR TVEF APPLICATIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF MARCH, SO YOU DON’T MISS THE DEADLINE.

CHECK OUT THE TVEF AWARDS AVAILABLE TO GDHS STUDENTS

CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT HERE and start the application process. 

KEY HIGHLIGHTS (see slideshow here)

• take your time with this application, be honest and include as much detail as possible
• as you complete the application, it will open more sections to complete as it considers your eligibility in the responses you check or include in your application
• DO NOT HIT SUBMIT until you are completely finished with your application.  Once it's submitted, no edits can be made.

GDHS COMMUNITY AWARDS (BURSARIES, AWARDS, AND SCHOLARSHIPS DONATED BY LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND DONORS)

THE APPLICATION PORTAL IS OPEN NOW - THE LINK IS AVAILABLE IN THE GUIDANCE GR. 12/13 CLASSROOM!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A LIST OF ALL GDHS COMMUNITY AWARDS 

The application process for Community Bursaries, Awards and Scholarships is slightly different.  There will be a meeting with all Grade 12s at the start of April on how to apply for GDHS Community Awards. Students are asked to stay tuned to announcements and the Google Classroom.

GDHS COMMUNITY BURSARIES, AWARDS, AND SCHOLARSHIPS - APPLICATIONS ARE DUE APRIL 21, 2026 at 11:59PM.  NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND TVEF AND GDHS

Grade 12 students are strongly encouraged to investigate potential scholarships, bursaries and graduate awards that they are connected to.  Whether it's through a parent's employer, union, banking institution, or insurance company there are awards to be won!  See some examples of Opportunities Beyond TVEF and GDHS below.

BELOW ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE EXTERNAL AWARDS AVAILABLE TO GDHS STUDENTS BUT STUDENTS MAY ALSO FIND THEIR OWN:

Libro Student Awards ($2000) Libro’s student award program supports youth who demonstrate outstanding commitment to their community while balancing academic success.  APPLICATIONS - DATE TO BE DETERMINED.

Larry McGrath International Silver Stick Scholarship - This application is intended for Canadian and American Students who are in their final year of high school and will be attending their first year of post-secondary education and participated in or volunteered at a Silver Stick® tournament.  For the 2024-2025 Hockey Season we will be awarding three (3) American and three (3) Canadians awarded a Scholarship of $2000 each.  Applications are reviewed and recommendations are made by the Scholarship Committee each spring and then approved and announced at the International Silver Stick Annual Meeting in June each year.  APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 15, 2026.

CUPE 4222 Graduation Award - CUPE 4222 members’ children are eligible to apply for CUPE 4222 Graduation Award. Please click here to see the application for the CUPE 4222 Graduation Award.  As part of your application you must: submit a presentation, in one of the following formats:  an essay; a poster; or an audio-visual clip, on “The Importance of Unions in Society” and attach a Graduation Summary. All applications, presentations and Graduation Summaries are DUE BY APRIL 30, 2026, NO EXCEPTIONS.

Bruce B. Foster Memorial Award ($2000) Sponsored by the Chatham District Masons, this Bursary is open to any financially challenged student graduating from high school who will be attending college or university.  ***Any grade 12 graduating students who have financial need and plan to attend either college or university next year should apply for this Bursary.  You should contact Ms. DeSousa-Mouro at:  p.desousamouro@tvdsb.ca and email her a phone number where you can best be reached.  She will contact you and help with the completion of the application process.  All completed applications should be forwarded to Ms. DeSousa-Mouro at the above email address as she will be collecting and mailing all applications to the Bruce B. Foster Committee. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 30, 2026.

The Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command Charitable Foundation & Royal Canadian Legion Ladies' Auxiliary Ontario Command Bursary ($1000)IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY ATTENDING HIGH SCHOOL, YOU CANNOT APPLY UNTIL YOU ARE PHYSICALLY ON CAMPUS IN THE FALL.

Click here for Other Sources of Scholarships and Awards

OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND TVEF AND GDHS have specific deadlines and applicants should adhere to them in order to be considered.

REFERENCE LETTERS (ASK WHEN REQUESTED)

CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY FOR OSAP OR VISIT https://www.ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program