Your browser is no longer supported

To get the best experience, we suggest using a newer version of Internet Explorer/Edge, or using another supported browser such as Google Chrome.

In-Course Scholarships

All Victoria College students who do not already hold a renewable Vic scholarship are guaranteed one in-course scholarship of up to $1,000 if they achieve an average in the A range (Grade Point Average 3.50+) at the end of their first, second, or third year of study up to a maximum of 15.0 credits. For award purposes, a year of study is defined as completion of 5.0 full credits by the end of the summer session (i.e., to be eligible for a first year in-course scholarship, you must complete a total of 5.0 credits by the end of the summer session; a second year in-course scholarship requires completion of 10.0 credits in total; and a third year in-course scholarship requires completion of 15.0 credits in total). For additional information, please see the Victoria University Policy on Student Awards.

Groups of Five Credits Policy

Students do not always accumulate their credits in groups of five per winter session, or in cumulative totals divisible by five. In order to produce a list of candidates for in-course awards, the Registrar's Office uses a method of calculating averages that treats all candidates fairly without regard to whether they have been registered as part-time or full-time, winter session or summer session students.

  • The method makes use of the Sessional Grade Point Averages reported by the Office of the Faculty Registrar at the end of each session. These averages are multiplied by the number of credits required from each session to produce the average for the credit group.
  • For example, a student might complete 4.0 credits in the first winter session and 2.0 in the following summer session. This student's average for the first group of 5.0 credits would be calculated by multiplying the winter session GPA by four, the summer session GPA by one, adding the results and dividing by five.
  • The cumulative GPA is not used in the assessment.
  • Summer courses may be used towards the group of 5.0 credits.
Eligibility Requirement

Students are assessed for in-course scholarships based only on the courses they have taken as Vic students. Credits received prior to being a Vic student are excluded (i.e. transfer credits, secondary school credits, retained credits received while registered at another college/faculty, etc). Transfer credits from official exchanges and courses marked extra (EXT) are also excluded. 

If this affects your financial situation for the upcoming academic year, and can demonstrate financial need, you are welcome to apply for a Vic Bursary starting in late September.

Assessment
  • In-course scholarships are automatically assessed (i.e., no applications are necessary) over the summer months.
  • Scholarship notification letters will be sent by email by the end of August.
  • Students completing their groups of 5.0 credits by the end of August, and who qualify for an in-course award, will be assessed in September and notified by late September.
  • Students whose academic records are amended (grade changes, additional course credit) after the recent fall/winter session or summer session should contact vic.awards@utoronto.ca to request a manual review.
  • Students may receive only one Vic in-course award per eligible award year.  A Participation In-Course Award (application required) is considered to be an in-course award that gives recognition to both academic merit and extracurricular involvement.

Students who hold renewable Victoria College scholarships are eligible to have their award renewed upon completion of 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 credits, but are not eligible for additional in-course awards. 

Students must be continuing in their studies at Victoria College in the subsequent Fall/Winter session in order to receive the payment of their in-course scholarship.

In-course scholarships are paid as a credit to the recipient's student account in the fall (generally by mid-October) upon confirmation of registration. See Award Payment & Refund information below.

Awards Requiring Application

While most scholarships and awards are automatic, Victoria College has a limited number of awards that require an application. The applications open annually in February or March.

  • To access the online application, you will need your UTORID and password for authentication.
  • Please draft your responses ahead of time as the online application does not allow you to save your entries.

Tip! Keep an eye out for current and external award opportunities in our regular Vic Student Bulletin e-newsletter.  All registered Vic students are subscribed to receive this informative newsletter in their UTOR email inbox.

Inquiries: vic.awards@utoronto.ca 
Please include your full name and student number.

Participation In-Course Awards

Students receive only one Vic in-course award per eligible year.  If you would like to be recognized for both your academic merit and extracurricular involvement, you are welcome to apply for a Participation In-Course Award. Participation awards recognize both academic merit and contributions to student life at Victoria College and/or at the University of Toronto. These are considered to be in-course awards that require a minimum CGPA of at least 3.50+ (unless otherwise specified) after completing first (1), second (2), third (3) or fourth (4) year, and require an online application. Due to the availability of funds, some awards may not be offered every year. Award values vary.

  • To apply for a participation award, submit an online application by the deadline (secure link found below).  
  • You will need your UTORid and password for authentication. 
  • Draft your responses ahead of time as the online application does not allow you to save your entries. 
  • Major activities from the current academic year should be listed first. 
  • If listing any previous activities, please include the year.

Victoria University strives to ensure that students are able to explore their ideas and talents. In addition to the participation awards listed below, a number of student involvement awards for events/activities, individual conferences/engagements and leadership are available to help fund out-of-the-classroom experiences and to recognize student contribution to campus life.

Notification: Award decisions will be emailed by late August (only successful applicants will be notified). Students completing their groups of 5.0 credits by the end of August and who qualify for an award will be notified by late September. 

Inquiries: vic.awards@utoronto.ca 
Please include your full name and student number.

Applications are due by April 15, 2024. Now open!

Apply for a Vic Participation Award

The Mary Brant Award (one award up to $1,000)
completion year of study: 1
Awarded to the student who has obtained the highest overall standing in their first year, normally in a Science program, and who has at the same time given evidence of a well-rounded personality indicated by interest and participation in activities outside her or his studies.

The J Alexander and Marion G Barker Langford Scholarship (two awards up to $1,200 each)
Completion year of study: 1 or 2
Awarded to Victoria College students who have completed their First or Second year with high standing, and also demonstrate leadership qualities through their involvement in extracurricular university life.

The Chris and Vo Love Scholarship (one award up to $1,500)
Completion year of study: 1 or 2
Awarded to an outstanding Victoria College student of English or Classics, with a preference for a student who wishes to return to residence at Victoria for a Second or Third year. This award is intended to recognize a student whose generous spirit has enriched the life of the College and the community.

The David W Pretty Award (three awards of $5,000 each)
Completion year of study: 1 or 2
Awards for students who are registered at Victoria College for their Second or Third year of study, who have achieved a minimum overall B average and who live in a Victoria College student residence during the years in which they receive the award.  Preference is to be given to students who have been active in student life at Victoria College and the University of Toronto. Financial need may be taken into consideration but is not necessarily a requirement.  Renewable for one year so long as the above criteria are met. (Note: Please indicate that you are applying for the DAVID W. PRETTY AWARD in your personal statement.)

The Eric A. B. Brock Scholarship (one award of $1,000)
Completion year of study: 1, 2 or 3 
Awarded to Victoria College students in the Humanities who have obtained at least a B standing (GPA 3.0+) and made a positive contribution to the life of Victoria College and the community.

The Ben Chan Leadership Award (one award of $1,000)
Completion year of study: 1, 2 or 3 
Awarded to Victoria College students in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who have shown active leadership in any aspect of student life, with a preference for those participating in student government or student media.

The Larry Chapman Award (three awards up to $1,000 each)
Completion year of study: 1, 2 or 3 
Awarded to Victoria College students who achieve excellence in their studies, with preference given to students whose studies are focused in commerce, business, economics or law.  In addition, preference will be given to students with a strong co-curricular activity history and who demonstrate impact in their respective communities.

The Orpha (Farr) Garriock Scholarship (two awards up to $1,500 each)
Completion year of study: 1, 2 or 3
Awarded to Victoria College students enrolled in a music program who achieve excellence during the course of their studies, or to students who have completed a Faculty of Arts & Science music course and have participated in co-curricular activities on campus related to music (e.g. Vic Chorus, Hart House Choir, etc).

The John Grant Leadership Award (new award coming soon in 2025)
Completion year of study: 1, 2, or 3
Awarded to Victoria College students who have obtained at least a B standing (GPA 3.0+) and who have made a positive contribution to the life of Victoria College and/or the broader community (preference given to students building community beyond student government).

The Phil Maude Memorial Scholarship (two awards up to $1,500 each)
Completion year of study: 1, 2, or 3
Awarded to Victoria College students in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5 who have participated in musical or theatrical performance or production and/or have taken courses in music, theatre or related areas.

The Romans Family Scholarship (four awards up to $1,500 each)
Completion year of study: 1, 2 or 3
Awarded to a student who has achieved an A standing (GPA 3.50+) and participated significantly in extra-curricular university life.

The Weeks and Anderson Scholarship (not offered 2024)
Completion year of study: 1, 2 or 3
Awarded to a Victoria College student who has achieved excellence during the course of their studies and who has made a positive contribution to the life of Victoria College and/or the broader community.

The Regents Participation Awards (multiple awards up to $1,000 each)
Completion year of study: 1, 2, 3 or 4
Awarded to students at the end of the First, Second, Third or Fourth Year who have participated in and made a significant contribution to student life in such areas as athletics, stage productions, student government, student publications or volunteer services.

The Alice Brown and John Coles Scholarship (one award up to $1,200)
Completion year of study: 2 or 3
Awarded annually at the end of the Second or Third year to a student with high academic standing (normally at least GPA 3.50+), who has made an effective contribution to athletic activities. Students who have taken part in stage productions, student publications, or student government may also be considered.

The Brian David Radford Memorial Scholarships  (6 awards up to $1,500 each)
Completion year of study: 1, 2, or 3
Awarded to Victoria College students who have achieved high standing, and whose participation in athletics, stage productions, student government, student publications or volunteer service best exhibits a dedication to overall excellence. Preference will be given to students who are enrolled in a Program of Study leading to the Bachelor of Commerce degree. Some awards will be made to OSAP recipients.

The Kathryn Anne Radford Scholarships (5 awards up to $1,500 each) 
Completion year of study: 1, 2, or 3
Awarded to Victoria College students who have achieved high standing, and whose participation in athletics, stage productions, student government, student publications or volunteer service best exhibits a dedication to overall excellence. Preference will be given to students enrolled in a Major or Specialist Program in a Modern Language. Some awards will be made to OSAP recipients.

The 1980s Legacy Scholarship (2 awards up to $1,500 each) 
Completion year of study: 3
Awarded to a Victoria College student in third year who has achieved excellence in their studies, with preference given to students who have been actively involved in the life of Victoria College.

The Joseph William Binning Scholarship (not offered 2024) 
Completion year of study: 3
Awarded to a Third Year student who has in previous years obtained high standing and at the same time taken a prominent part in organized student activities.

The William Neil Hanna Scholarship (one award of $1,000) 
Completion year of study: 3
Awarded to the Third Year student who, by her or his academic standing and by other qualities displayed in college life, shows outstanding promise of leadership and public service.

The Kate (Coleman) Krenz Scholarship (3 awards up to $1,500 each) 
Completion year of study: 1, 2, or 3
Awarded to a Victoria College student who has excelled in Philosophy, English, or History and who is acknowledged to have made, through his/her relations with others, a positive contribution to the life of the University.

The Ellis M Ostovich Scholarship (2 awards up to $1,200 each) 
Completion year of study: 3
Awarded to a Third-year student who achieves an overall A standing with preference given to a student in a double major program that includes both depth and breadth in two different fields of study and who demonstrates superior participation in creative extracurricular projects such as theatre, performing arts, music, creative writing, art, photography or film making, or in charitable projects that benefit the community in social and cross-cultural activity.

The Mary M Pearson Scholarship (2 awards up to $1,200 each)
Completion year of study: 1, 2, or 3
Awarded to a Victoria College student who has excelled in Philosophy, English or Women and Gender Studies. Preference will be given to a student who is acknowledged to have made, through his/her relations with others, a positive contribution to the life of Victoria College.

See also Nominations for the VUSAC BIPOC Leadership Award

 

Research Awards

The Milne Research Award

Multiple awards available: up to $5,000 each

  • Established in 2008 by the Estate of Dr. Lorus J Milne (1910-1987) of the Victoria College Class of 1933 and Dr. Margery J Milne (1910-2006); the James Morrow Regents Matching Fund.
  • Awarded to Victoria College students for research purposes. The research undertaken cannot be a component of a course taken for academic credit. Students must have achieved a CGPA of 3.50 or better and be registered in a Life Science program.
  • The award is open to currently registered undergraduate students of Victoria College.
  • The intended research project must take place over the summer session. This may be a paid or volunteer position. Recipients of the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) are eligible to apply.
  • Online applications may be submitted beginning in early March. The online Special Award/Essay Prize application does not apply for this award. No late applications will be accepted.
  • Priority will be given to first-time applicants and non-graduating students.
  • If approved, Milne Research Award funds are issued directly to the student as a credit on his/her ACORN student account, and not to the research laboratory or supervisor. Direct deposit is required to receive a refund from the university.
  • Approved award values may vary.

Application Instructions:

  • Complete the online application. You will need your UTORid and password for authentication. Draft your responses ahead of time as the online application does not allow you to save your entries.
  • Upload a confirmation letter to your online application from a supervising professor in the lab or a lab director confirming the following: (i) your participation in the research opportunity, (ii) it is not for course credit, (iii) whether it is a paid/volunteer position and (iv) the start date. 

Milne Research Award recipients are welcome to register for Victoria College's annual Research Day.

Inquiries: vic.awards@utoronto.ca 
Please include your full name and student number. 

Applications are due by April 15, 2024. Now open!

Apply for the Milne Research Award

 

Photo of Alishba Afaq

"The Milne Research Award was crucial in supporting my undergraduate thesis project and also allowed me to take time off and study for the MCAT without jeopardizing my financial needs."

- Alishba Afaq, 2022 recipient

 


The Northrop Frye Centre Undergraduate Research Award
value: up to $2,000 maximum

The NFC Undergraduate Research Award provides Vic students with the opportunity to further their involvement with Humanities and Social Sciences research.

Apply for the NFC URA

Special Awards and Essay Prizes

To be considered for Special Awards and Essay Prizes, complete the Special Award/Essay Prize Application. You will need your UTORid and password for authentication. 

  • A separate application is required for each award/prize.
  • Only one submission is permitted per award/prize.
  • You cannot enter the same submission for multiple competitions.
  • The submission must have been written, composed or published during the recent academic year.
  • If submitting an essay, the submission cannot be altered from the original with the exception of typographical or grammatical corrections.
  • Unless specified, only current first-degree students are eligible to apply.
  • Due to the availability of funds, some awards may not be offered every year. Award values may vary from year to year.
  • The deadline to apply is April 28, 2024. No late applications will be accepted. 
  • Award winners will be notified by the end of July. 

Inquiries: vic.awards@utoronto.ca 
Please include your full name and student number.

Apply for a Special Award or Essay Prize


The John M Coles Prize

value: up to $950 
Awarded to a Victoria College student for work completed in the first year who has shown exceptional ability in the use of language (English or French) in his or her work in any degree course at the University.

2023 recipient: Sophie Stankovic

2022 recipient: Chelsea Wang

The Alta Lind Cook Prize
value:
up to $400
Awarded to a student of Victoria College or a former student who has graduated within one year for the best original music composition (vocal, instrumental, popular, or classical) or the best original literary composition (prose, poetry, or drama) in either English or French. Previous recipients are not eligible to re-apply.

2023 recipient: Shannan Mann

2022 recipient: Ginger Annavera Taylor

The Hoeniger Book Collection Prize
value:
up to $500
See full application details below.

The Lincoln Hutton Essay Prize: Humanities/Social Sciences
value: up to $350
Awarded for the best essay written by a Victoria College student for a course during the year. Essays written for 100 series courses and the Senior English Essay and essays written for 300- or 400-series Independent Studies courses are ineligible. For 100s essays, see John M. Coles Prize above. 

2023 recipient: Christopher Chang

2022 recipient: Charles Harold Dixon

The Lincoln Hutton Essay Prize: Sciences
value: up to $350
Awarded for the best essay written by a Victoria College student for a course during the year. Essays written for 100-series courses, and essays written for 300- or 400-series Independent Studies courses are ineligible.

2023 recipient: Muireann Elizabeth Heuchan

2022 recipient: Katherine Lucy Jung

Read about the 2022 Lincoln Hutton Essay Prize Winners

The Arthur Irwin Prize
value: three prizes of $1,500 each

Awarded for the best writing, outside of course work, by a Victoria College student in a campus publication. Entries may include feature articles in The Strand, The Varsity, or other recognized University publication, as well as work published in campus literary journals such as Acta Victoriana or the UC Review. The date and title of the publication should be clearly noted on your submission. Student essays published in academic journals or other publications are not eligible.

2023 recipients:  Andrea Paola Perez Barahona, Cyntha Sa, Jevan Isa Jude Konyar (runner-up)

2022 recipients: Genevieve Matisse De Giorgio, Sarah Lijiao Walker, Elaine Even Lee (runner-up)

Hoeniger Book Collection Prize

The Hoeniger Book Collection Prize

If you…

  • are registered at Victoria College
  • like books
  • have a particular interest, academic or otherwise, that has led you to acquire a number of books relevant to it

Then you…

  • may be a candidate to win the F. David Hoeniger Book Collection Prize
  • value: up to $500
  • Your "collection" need neither be large nor include any rare or expensive items

Deadline for Submissions: April 28, 2024 (5 p.m.).  Late applications will not be accepted. 

Apply for the Hoeniger Book Collection Prize

Rules and Advice to Candidates

  1. Eligibility:
    Any student registered at Victoria College at the time of the competition may enter. Entrants may submit only one "collection" in a given year. A prize-winning collection may not be submitted in a subsequent competition, regardless of any particular changes in its constitution; a previous prize-winner may, however, submit a collection centred on a different interest.

  2. Definition of a "collection"
    For the purposes of the Prize, a collection consists of at least 20 items (normally a majority of them hardbound books) that a student has come to possess as a consequence of developing a particular interest, which may be academic or not. A few printed items that are not books may be included in the collection when they suit the interest (e.g., a collection centred on the work of a dramatist might include a playbill associated with an important performance of one of the plays; or a collection centred on bird-watching might include an Audubon plate). Emphatically, however, a collection need not include costly or rare items, to the extent that it may include a proportion of paperbacks. Candidates are, however, expected to show some knowledge and appreciation of items in their collections not only for their contents but as books.

  3. What must candidates submit?
  • An ordered List (alphabetical, chronological, or appropriately otherwise) of the items comprising the "collection". This list or bibliography should provide basic information about each item, including for books: Author, Title, Date of the work's original publication (if different from the date of the actual item), and the Place of publication, Publisher, and Date of publication of the item actually in the collection. Any items that are not books should be included in this list and briefly described.
  • An Indication (as by asterisks on the List) of approximately ten items in the collection that the candidate regards as the most representative, important, and interesting. The reasons for their selection will be generally apparent, but candidates should add brief annotations of these items to their List entries.
  • A Statement (500-1,000 words) explaining the collection. Generally, what interest or motive accounts for it and gives it coherence? What is the personal history of your collection? More specifically, is there any particular item in it that you are especially glad to possess? Why? Is there a particular "gap" in your collection that you would especially like to fill? Why?
  • The candidate's name, student number, email address, and phone number(s) should be provided on the first page of the submission.

    4. Submissions
    Will be judged by a committee annually appointed for the purpose. This committee may invite promising candidates to an interview. The winner of the Prize will be expected to participate fully in arranging an exhibition in the Pratt Library of items from her or his collection. 

See Past Hoeniger Prize Winners

Inquiries: vic.awards@utoronto.ca 
Please include your full name and student number.

 

Postgraduate Scholarships

 
Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 are available for Victoria College students beginning or continuing postgraduate studies in Fall 2024. Applicants may apply within one year of graduating from Victoria College. The online application is open in early February until March 31st each year. See award terms below. 

  • Due to the availability of funds, some awards may not be offered every year. Some awards may be divided between two candidates.
  • These awards are open to students entering masters & doctoral programs, or professional faculties (medicine, law, dentistry, etc.).
  • Our postgraduate scholarships are very competitive and those applicants of only a CGPA of 3.50+ receive these awards.
  • Students are eligible to receive only one award. Students who have previously won a postgraduate award are not eligible to re-apply.
  • A formal personal statement is required and must include the following information: i) the nature of the graduate work proposed; ii) your reasons for wishing to pursue graduate studies; and iii) any experience or qualifications beyond the Bachelor's degree which may be relevant to proposed graduate work.
  • The contact information for two academic references is required. The selection committee may contact them during the review period in May.
  • Notification of scholarship decisions will be sent by email in early June.
  • Award funds are released upon confirmation of registration in the intended postgraduate program in Fall 2024. Be sure to set up direct deposit in advance on ACORN to receive these funds.
  • To access the online application, you will need your UTORID and password for authentication.  Please draft your responses ahead of time as the online application does not allow you to save your entries.

Application deadline: March 31, 2024. 

Inquiries: vic.awards@utoronto.ca 
Please include your full name and student number.

APPLY FOR A VIC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

The Margaret Addison Scholarship
value:
 one award up to $5,000
Awarded biennially to a female graduate of Victoria College to enable her to pursue postgraduate studies at an approved university outside of Canada.

The Ethel Treble and F. Louis Barber Travelling Scholarship
value:
 up to $3,000
Awarded to a student with high overall A standing at least 50% of whose courses for the degree have been in Psychology or Philosophy. The recipient must continue his or her studies in Philosophy or Psychology or in fields related to these subjects at a university outside the city of Toronto.

The Annie May Bowers Scholarship (not offered in 2024)
value:
 --
Awarded whenever endowment income reaches $1,000 to a female student in the graduating year who is planning to go to medical school or who is preparing through postgraduate work for a career in psychiatric social work.

The Teça May Court and George Alexander Court Scholarship
value:
 up to $1,500
Awarded to the graduate of Victoria College with highest overall A standing who intends to pursue postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Information Studies of the University of Toronto.

The Helen Muriel and Doris Elizabeth Hubbert Award
value:
 up to $7,000
Awarded to a Victoria College graduating student with financial need who is pursuing postgraduate studies in the sciences and who demonstrates good citizenship, good social responsibility and leadership in society.

The Ada Snider Huenergard Scholarship
value:
 up to $3,500 
Awarded to a woman graduate of Victoria College who desires to pursue postgraduate studies in an approved university in any discipline.

The Lyla May Guest Hugill Memorial Scholarship
value:
 up to $7,000
Awarded to a graduate of Victoria College for postgraduate studies in English or Classics.

The Mary Coyne Rowell Jackman Graduate Scholarship
value:
 two awards up to $6,000 each
Awarded to a woman graduate of Victoria College for postgraduate study in Art, Literature or Religion. Financial need must be demonstrated.

The Frances Joan Lambier Scholarship
value:
 two awards at up to $8,000 each
Awarded to a graduate of Victoria College who intends to pursue postgraduate studies in Political Science or in English, with preference given to a candidate who intends to study Canadian politics or Canadian literature in English. Preference will also be given to a candidate who intends to study in Canada.

The Walter Neil Thompson McKay Scholarship
value:
 up to $1,500
Awarded to an Honours graduating student who is proceeding to postgraduate studies.

The Professor George Metcalf Graduate Scholarship
value:
 up to $7,000
Awarded to a graduate of Victoria College for postgraduate study in History. Preference will be given to a candidate whose interests lie in the fields of British Imperial History or Canadian History.

The N. Jane Pepino Scholarship (NEW!)
value:
 up to $3,000
Awarded to a graduating Victoria College student for the purpose of pursuing graduate work in Health Sciences/Life Sciences/Medicine; for a student who plans to pursue research/work in women's health or the health of marginalized groups. Financial need must be demonstrated.

The Professor D. O. Robson Graduate Scholarship
value:
 up to $5,000
Awarded to a graduate of Victoria College for postgraduate study in Ancient or Modern Languages or in Ancient or Modern History. This award may not be held in conjunction with another major award offered by Victoria University.

The Professor D. O. Robson Graduate Scholarship for Study Abroad
value:
up to $10,000
Awarded to a graduate of Victoria College for postgraduate study in Ancient or Modern Languages or in Ancient or Modern History at a university outside Canada. This award may not be held in conjunction with another major award offered by Victoria University.

The Graduate Scholarship for Studies in Education
value:
 two awards at up to $5,000 each
Awarded to the student of Victoria College graduating with the highest standing among candidates who have been admitted to a Faculty of Education at an Ontario University.

The Victoria University Postgraduate Scholarship
value:
 up to six awards of $5,000 each
Awarded to a graduating student of Victoria College who is pursuing postgraduate studies of any discipline.

The Helen Maude Vokes Scholarship
value:
 up to $3,000
Awarded to an outstanding graduate of Victoria College who proceeds to postgraduate studies in English.

The Professor John Wood and Sybil Wood Scholarship
value:
 up to $8,000
Awarded to a student with high overall A standing who has completed a Specialist Program in French and has been admitted to French studies in the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Toronto.

Awarded by Nomination (no application required)

The George and Helen Doner Scholarship
value:
 up to $5,000
Awarded to a graduating student of Victoria College with an overall A standing who has been admitted to the Faculty of Law of the University of Toronto. Renewable for the Second and Third Years of Law studies if at least B standing is maintained.

The White Scholarship in French
value:
 two awards at up to $5,000 each
Awarded to a graduate of the Faculty of Arts & Science for postgraduate studies in French, with preference given to a Victoria College student.

Other Graduate Award Opportunities

University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies

Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS)

Graduate Funding & Scholarships Quercus

Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

 

Vari Scholarship for Future Teachers

Through a very generous donation from the George and Helen Vari Foundation, Victoria College offers awards valued at $10,000 to students entering their second year who plan to pursue a career in teaching at the primary or secondary level in Ontario. Up to three awards are available for 2024.

The University of Toronto Vari Scholarship is valued up to $50,000: $10,000/year for 3 years of undergraduate study and 2 years in a program leading to the Ontario Teacher's Certificate of Qualification. Open to domestic students entering their second year and who demonstrate financial need (i.e. OSAP recipients).

Award Terms:

  • Awarded to a Victoria College student entering their second year who clearly demonstrates an intention to enter the teaching profession.
  • Candidates will be required to complete an application form and submit a statement.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.50 is required.
  • Candidates must be Ontario residents who demonstrate financial need (i.e. OSAP recipients).
  • Candidates must be on track to complete 5.0 FCE's by the end of August before they receive the first award installment in September.
  • Finalists will be interviewed.
  • The award is renewable for third and fourth years at Victoria College provided the renewal criteria have been met; and for two subsequent years in a two-year program leading to the Ontario Teacher's Certificate of Qualification.
  • Preference will be given to Victoria College students who have completed the Education stream of the Vic One Program and who are enrolled in the Education & Society Minor Program.
  • The successful recipient is not eligible to receive any additional Victoria College in-course awards.
  • For awards purposes, completion of one year of study is 5.0 full course equivalents from September to August.

Renewal Criteria:

  • The award is renewed if a B+ (3.30 GPA) is maintained in the second and third year at Victoria College.
  • The recipient must submit an annual statement re-confirming their commitment to pursuing a career in teaching. 

Application Instructions:

  • You will need your UTORID and password to enter the online application.
  • Carefully read through the online application before you fill it out. Prepare all responses in advance. The online form does not allow you to save your entries.
  • A personal statement will be required (maximum 4,000 characters), which must be written entirely by the applicant and without the assistance of others.
  • Any financial values can be estimates.
  • Two reference letters will be required: one academic and one non-academic. These confidential letters must be submitted electronically by the published deadline at vic.awards@utoronto.ca in Microsoft Word or PDF format and saved with the following filename "VARI_academic ltr_student surname_student firstname.doc" or "VARI_nonacademic ltr_student surname_student firstname.doc".
  • An electronic copy of your c.v. (curriculum vitae) is required to be submitted in PDF file format and saved with the following filename “VARI CV_surname_firstname.PDF”.  The c.v. can be submitted by file upload in the online application.

Application deadline: April 30, 2024

Apply for the Vari Scholarship

Inquiries: vic.awards@utoronto.ca 
Please include your full name and student number.

Education Can Save the World
2021 Vari Scholarship Recipients

smiling person standing in front of a tree

 

During my undergraduate studies, the support of the Vari Scholarship allowed me to engage in many enriching opportunities, including studying abroad in Italy, Israel, France, and Germany. I have since completed an M.A. in Child Study and Education at OISE and begun a career as a classroom teacher at the Toronto District School Board. I will always hold onto Mrs. Vari's vision of education as a powerful transformative tool to create a better society. I am deeply grateful to the Vari family and feel such honour to be part of the incredible community of Vari Scholars.
- Tiferet Nashman, Vic 1T6

 

Award Payments & Refunds

Unless otherwise specified, all award payments are credited to ACORN student accounts and deducted from outstanding fees. The award payment will be displayed in the ACORN invoice.

Set up Direct Deposit to Receive Credit Refunds

If there is a credit balance remaining after the award has been deducted from your outstanding fees, you may follow these steps to request a credit refund from the Student Accounts Office:

  • Set up direct deposit on ACORN with a Canadian bank account in advance.
  • Submit a request for a refund using the Service Now portal.
  • Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing the request.
  • It takes up to 3 business days for an award refund to be deposited into your Canadian bank account.
  • Keep your ACORN mailing address up-to-date at all times. An expired mailing address will block award refund processing.

See full details at Student Accounts

 

Award Cheques
  • If you are not able to set up direct deposit, a refund cheque will be mailed to your Canadian mailing address listed on ACORN. Please keep this information up-to-date at all times.
  • If you did not receive the award refund cheque in the mail, you will need to request a stop payment on the original cheque, and then request another credit refund. 
  • To prevent lost cheques in the mail, note that direct deposit is the best and most secure way to receive refunds from the university!

See Refund FAQs

 

Award Verification

Some graduate and professional program applications require an award verifier.

Contact

If applying to medical/law school, you may use the following contact as your award verifier:

Yvette Ali, Registrar
Victoria University
73 Queen’s Park Crescent
Toronto, ON  M5S 1K7

Email: vic.registrar@utoronto.ca

Tel: 416-585-4508

 

The names of award recipients and the awards that they have won will be published in documents circulated within Victoria University, in promotional materials, or on our website as we celebrate the achievements of our award winners.

For a complete list of all awards at Victoria College, please refer to:

Student Awards and Benefactors

Inquiries: vic.awards@utoronto.ca 
Please include your full name and student number.

Charter Day

Every October, Victoria University's community gathers to celebrate Charter Day, a commemoration of the granting of Victoria’s Royal Charter by King William IV in 1836. The Charter Day ceremonies are a moment for Victoria University to celebrate its founding as a university. They are also a chance to present exceptional students with a wide assortment of scholarships and awards.

For a list of past scholarship and award recipients, see the 2023 Charter Day Program here.

Photo of Jihyun Kim 

"The 1980's Legacy Scholarship helped alleviate my financial anxiety, and I was able to enjoy my studies even further at UofT!"

- Paige Kim, 2022 recipient