Scholarships and Bursaries available to Eligible CF Spouses

This best of CMF Magazine article briefly outlines some of the scholarships available from coast-to-coast to military spouses going back to school for higher education.

Since the publication of this article, several additional scholarships have been established to set military spouses on the path to success and ultimately find meaningful employment.

Just recently, Ottawa-based Willis College announced $150,000 in scholarships to Canadian military spouses over the next six years. This amounts to $25,000, a full scholarship, for a spouse attending any of their three campuses.

In addition, several scholarships are available for immediate members of a military member, including spouses.

The War Veterans Family Award, offered by Memorial University in Newfoundland Labrador, awards $2,500 annually and is renewable for up to three years. It is awarded to a dependent or spouse of a Canadian or Newfoundland War Veteran.

The Saskatchewan Scholarship of Honour awards $5,000 to spouses or dependants of a fallen or permanently disabled member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Are you considering going back to school but don’t think you can afford it? Are you enrolled at this moment but are struggling financially? As a military spouse, you may qualify for some financial assistance. Take advantage of this opportunity and explore the enticing scholarship options available to you.

Academy Canada Career College in Newfoundland offers a Military Spouse Scholarship Program. This consists of a $1000 tuition reduction on each semester’s tuition. The criteria: applicant’s spouse must be an active member of the Canadian Forces, and must have served for a minimum of three years. Also, your spouse must remain an active member for the duration of your schooling in order to remain eligible. Note: income taxes are not automatically deducted from this scholarship; take heed during tax time.

Algonquin College campuses in Ontario offer a Military Families Fund Sens Foundation Bursary. The college aims to disburse 15-20 scholarships to military spouses and military families. The criteria: applicants must be enrolled in a full-time diploma or degree program. Priority is given to those who are demonstrating financial need. Electronic applications are available at all military bases across Canada.

The Canadian Hero Fund can be applied for at any accredited university, college, or trade school in Canada. This scholarship is available to the children and spouses of CF members who have been killed in active duty. The criteria: applicant must have been married for a minimum of one year prior to the death, must apply for the scholarship within two years of the CF member’s passing, and must be enrolled in a full-time degree or certificate program. Scholarship decisions are based on financial need.

The Canadian Military Engineer Association Bursary can be applied for at any accredited university, college, or trade school in Canada. There are six bursaries available in the amount of $1000 each. The criteria: applicants must be the dependant of a CMEA member, must have exceptional academic achievement, extracurricular achievement, and must demonstrate financial need.

Georgian College offers an Operation Hero Scholarship to spouses of serving and retired CF members. The criteria: applicants must be entering any full-time degree or certificate program at Georgian College, and must have demonstrated involvement in their communities. Preference will be given to those in financial need, and those who have been posted to CFB Borden, Meaford, and the Grey and Simcoe Forests.

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology offers a Fallen Heroes Scholarship. One scholarship of $2000 is awarded annually. The criteria: applicants must be the immediate family member of a fallen hero, must demonstrate financial need, and must have satisfactory academic achievement.

Royal Canadian Regiment Association Bursary Program can be applied for at any accredited university, college, or trade school in Canada. The RCR Association awards up to three bursaries of $1,500 annually. The criteria: applicants must be the spouse, child, or grandchild of a serving or deceased member of the Royal Canadian Regiment. Applicants must be in their final year of secondary schooling and be preparing to attend university, trade school, teachers college, technical college, or nursing school.

Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund can be applied for at any accredited university, college, or trade school in Canada. The criteria: applicants must be the dependant of serving or retired naval members. This fund offers three different awards:

1. The Navy Centennial Bursary Scholarships: 15 scholarships of $2000 each, which are distributed annually.
2. The CPO Hooser scholarships: five scholarships of $1000 each, which are distributed annually.
3. The CPO Andrew McQueen Jack Trust, which provides bursaries to former and serving members of the naval forces of Canada, their dependants, and their descendants.

Women in Defense and Security (WiDs) can be applied for at any accredited university, college, or trade school in Canada. This scholarship is available to women who are pursuing careers relating to the national defense and security interests in Canada. The criteria: applicants must have a minimum GPA of 70%, must demonstrate leadership in the community, and must be an undergraduate who has attained at least the 3rd year of university. Applicants can be enrolled in either a full-time or part-time program.

To explore more scholarships and bursaries available to Military spouses and/or Military families, visit here.

by Tabitha Turner