Information for Teachers

What is the Merit Award Bursary Program?

The Merit Award Bursary Program was started in 1996 by a group of Toronto residents. They felt it is important to provide support and incentive to encourage high school students to stay in school and achieve to the best of their abilities. The late Mr Justice John Sopinka of the Supreme Court of Canada was the first Honourary Chair of the Program, which is administered entirely by volunteers.

The Merit Award bursaries are $500, $750, or $2,000 each. The first bursaries were awarded to 20 high school students in the former City of York in the Fall of 1996. The Program was expanded to include the former Borough of East York in 1997. In the most recent round of awards (Spring, 2011), the Merit Award Bursary Program awarded 148 bursaries to students at 45 secondary schools across Toronto (TDSB + TCDSB).

It is hoped that increased donor support might allow the Program to expand to cover more schools in the Toronto area in the years ahead.

For the list of schools that have been invited to participate in the Program, go to the Participating High Schools.

What are the aims of the Merit Award Bursary Program?

  • To provide an incentive for senior high school students to stay in school

  • To provide an incentive for senior high school students to commit themselves to their school work as much as to their other interests

  • To provide an incentive to senior high school students of all levels of ability to try their best at everything they do

  • To encourage and provide assistance to students who have been able to overcome significant challenges in their personal or family circumstances

How are Merit Award Recipients chosen?

All full time Grade 11 and 12 students at participating schools are eligible to apply.

What is the purpose of the Merit Awards?

Award recipients are chosen by the Program's Selection Committee after receiving recommendations from the principal of each participating school. Award recipients are chosen at the end of each school year, but bursaries are paid only after the students actually return to school in the following year.

What do you look for when choosing Merit Award recipients?

  • Enrollment as a full-time student. Successful completion of current academic year (Grades 11 or 12).

  • Confirmation of intention to return to school as a full-time student (in Grade 12 or post-secondary) the following year, and desire to pursue post-secondary college or university education.

  • Recipients must actually be enrolled as full-time students the following school year to receive the Bursary.

  • Demonstrated high level of commitment to extra-curricular activities (i.e. sports, the arts, school clubs, and community activities).

  • Demonstrated high level of commitment to school work.

  • Contributions to community welfare will be considered.

  • Personal challenges and obstacles faced by the applicant, including financial circumstances, will be considered.

    The applicant’s willingness to support this Bursary Program in future years will also be considered.