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Students enrolled in occupational therapy courses and programs are offered different scholarships and awards to help pay for college. Financial assistance is offered to Ph.D. Master’s, and undergraduate students at Canadian colleges and universities.

Types of Scholarships Offered in Canada

Different foundations, universities, trusts, and other institutions offer occupational therapy scholarships across Canada. Financial assistance takes different forms, including awards, bursaries, special awards, open doctoral scholarships, postdoctoral fellowships, and others. Merit scholarships and research assistantships are also available.

Universities and Awards Offered

The types of scholarships available vary from one province to another. In British Columbia, for example, occupational therapy students are welcome to apply for the Rehabilitation Sciences Award, Ken F. Fraser Memorial Scholarship, and other awards. Students at the Queen’s University in Ontario are offered the Muriel Driver Memorial Bursary while students at the Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia can apply for the Barbara O’Shea Graduate Award. Some scholarships are available to students enrolled in all universities in Nova Scotia, one example being the Legion Ladies Auxiliary University Scholarship. The award is offered to students enrolled in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Nursing. The list of eligible provinces includes Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, British Columbia, and others. Only students enrolled on a full-time basis qualify. They are asked to submit a copy of their transcripts and a letter of acceptance, together with details such as university name, course or program of study, year entering and ending, etc. Unlike awards offered to students at all Canadian universities, other types of scholarships are available to students at specific institutions. Students at the University of Manitoba, for example, have plenty of choice when it comes to financial assistance. The list of awards includes the J.D. Adamson Medal and Prize, Arthritis Society Entrance Scholarship, Alice Chisholm Bursary, and many others. Eligible courses and programs include Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, Nursing, and Respiratory Therapy. Depending on the type of scholarship, students at the Master’s, doctoral, or Bachelor level are welcome to apply. Different scholarships are available to students at the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Graduate Studies, and Faculty of Physio/Occupational Therapy.

Evaluation Criteria to Meet and Qualify

The evaluation criteria vary depending on the award offered but typically include things like leadership, research potential, academic excellence, communication skills and ability, ambassadorial potential, and others. Assessment is based, for example, on whether the recommendations offer evidence of and specific details about the applicant’s performance and academic and leadership skills.

Thus academic merit is evaluated based on factors such as quality of recommendations, academic background, quality of program, and others. High-level academic performance is taken into account, including research papers and publications, research results, academic prizes and awards, and so on.

Finally, the amount offered and the minimum GPA to qualify vary by award. Awards are granted to help students fund their studies and to develop independent learning and research skills. What is more, awards help universities train motivated and highly qualified future employees for Canada’s economy.