Background
Since it’s initiation in 2003, the Bursary Program has awarded over one hundred (100) bursaries with a total value of over $150,000. To date, all applicants have been awarded a bursary and in some cases, the applicant's entire tuition have been paid.
The Sudbury Manitoulin Children's Foundation is proud of its efforts to provide funding for those in need. Post-secondary education is one key that will open many new doors.
Bursaries can be awarded to students attending a variety of educational institutions such as:
- Trade schools
- License & Certificate Programs
- Colleges
- Universities
Some Educational Institutes that our bursary recipients have attended to date (but not all) include:
Cambrian College, College Boreal, Algonquin College, Canadore College, Everest College, Georgian College, Wilfred Laurier, St. Lawrence College, Centennial College, Sudbury College Of Hairstyling & Esthetics, Ontario Real Estate Board, Northern Welding Academy, Laurentian University and more.
Some (but not all) fields of study for the bursary recipients include:
- Healthcare
- Social Services
- Trades
- Public Relations
- Law & Justice
- Fashion & Design
- Education
- Real Estate
- Recreation
- Culinary Arts
- History
Purpose
A study conducted by the Children's Aid Society, shows that over a 60-year period there was a clear cycle of abuse that permeated the caseloads. Children who were being abused in the 90's lived with parents, grandparents and great grandparents who had been abused.
Education is the key to breaking the generational pattern of abuse, unemployment and welfare dependency that plagues high risk children. Bursaries help alleviate some of the financial burden and encourage youth to continue their educational path.
Goals
The goal of the Bursary Program is to be in a financial position to award bursaries to all eligible wards who apply so that they may receive the encouragement and financial support required to achieve academic success.
Our long term financial goal is to reach a level where bursaries are awarded from accumulated interest derived from the capital.
Program Benefits
Bursaries help alleviate some of the financial burden and encourage youth to continue their educational path.
There are a range of financial obstacles for youth in care who complete high school and want to pursue post-secondary education. Bursaries help to relieve the costs of:
- Tuition
- Text-books
- Additional academic requirements
These costs are not provided through the funding available to Children's Aid Societies, and therefore the Sudbury Manitoulin Children's Foundation (SMCF) works diligently to build capital for the bursary fund. At the same time, bursaries are currently being awarded to those crown wards in need. Building capital for this fund is an essential investment in tomorrow’s youth. It ensures that there will be funds available for years to come. SMCF also endeavors to grant some degree of assistance to all qualified applicants every year.
HOW TO APPLY
Talk to your social worker about applying for our bursary and have them contact us for the application package. For more information, please reach out to our office by phone: 705-673-2227, or email: anne@smcf.com
Graduation: A Dream Come True
Growing up in care, Ashley wondered what her life would be like after high school. The thought of paying for post-secondary education was too daunting to even contemplate, but without higher education, she knew her goals would never be achieved. With the help of the Sudbury Manitoulin Children’s Foundation Bursary Program, Ashley was given the funds to pay for her tuition. Moreover, Ashley was given the opportunity to follow her dreams and pursue a path of higher education and career aspirations. Here in her own words, Ashley describes what the Children’s Foundation Bursary Program means to her…
“My name is Ashley and recently found out that I was awarded a bursary through the Sudbury/Manitoulin Bursary Foundation to pay tuition for my post-secondary education. This news is completely amazing and is next to impossible to gather in a few little words the appreciation I have. This bursary will help me in more ways than anyone will ever know! With the high cost of living and transportation to and from school, receiving this bursary is such a life-saving opportunity and something I will never forget! As soon as I found out, immediately it was such a weight off my shoulders knowing I will not have to apply for OSAP or a student loan; all of which I would have had to pay back once I completed my course. Now I will be debt-free! So from the bottom of my heart, I would just like to thank the Bursary Foundation again for the opportunity to pursue my dreams, and assist in achieving my career goals.”
Forever in your debt,
Ashley