Free money: How to get college cash you don’t need to repay
February 05, 2020

We’re now accepting awards and scholarships applications for the winter term. Submit you application by Thursday, March 5, 2020.

Awards and scholarship staff standing at a table ready to answer questions
Our friendly staff can help you navigate your options.

A Georgian staffperson talking to a student at a wortable.
Questions about an application form? We can help!

Georgian offers a variety of awards, scholarships and bursaries. You can apply for them online. Unlike OSAP or student lines of credit, you don’t need to pay this money back.

Awards and scholarships

The average value of Georgian awards and scholarships is $1,000. With more than 750 available each year, we’re confident there’s an award that fits you.

Bursaries

Bursaries are usually paid based on financial need, but criteria vary. Their minimum value is $500. Georgian disburses more than $2 million in bursaries every single year, so it’s worth applying!

Some ways we select recipients

  • demonstrated community involvement
  • financial need
  • academic achievements
  • area of study
  • sport and athletics

As you can see, it’s not all about your marks. You also don’t need to be fresh out of high school or in your first year of study. You don’t even need to be enrolled full-time! There truly are awards and scholarships for Georgian students from all walks of life.

Types of bursaries available

  • Georgian Bursary: For full-time students who have applied for OSAP and need extra help paying for postsecondary school.
  • Indigenous Student Bursary: For Indigenous students (self-identified through Georgian’s online form) in financial need.
  • Métis Nation of Ontario Bursary: For students of Métis ancestry.
  • Ontario First Generation Bursary: Offers extra funding to students whose parents never attended postsecondary studies, and who have also applied for OSAP.

Applying is easy

Go to GeorgianCollege.ca/awards and complete your online profile to see which awards and scholarships you might be eligible for. You then have to complete individual award submissions (usually quite short) during one of these two time windows:

  • Feb. 1 to March 5
  • Aug. 15 to Oct. 31

You receive your award money the day of the awards ceremony, the semester after you apply for awards.

Applying is easy

Go to GeorgianCollege.ca/bursaries to fill in individual forms for these bursaries. Keep in mind you may need to provide proof that you’ve met eligibility criteria.

For most bursaries, you only need to apply once a year. Be sure to apply at the beginning of your term.

Funds are applied to your Georgian tuition account. Exact dates vary by student, bursary, and program.

Questions? 

We’re happy to help. Contact awards@georgiancollege.ca or 705.728.1968, ext. 1483.

Questions?

Barrie: Financial Aid is located in the Office of the Registrar on the ground floor of C building. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also call 705.722.1530 or email financialaid@georgiancollege.ca.

Orillia: Find us in the Office of the Registrar in A1001A. Office hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also call 705.325.2740 or email financialaid@georgiancollege.ca.

This article was originally published in March 2019. It was updated and re-shared in February 2020.