Scholarships and Awards

General Policy Statement

1. Preamble
   This policy applies to all student awards established in Victoria College and Emmanuel College of Victoria University. Its purpose is to ensure that the procedures followed in establishing such awards and in determining who will receive them are clear and consistent.
   
   
2. Definitions
   
   
   • Award – A generic term used to indicate an item of financial or other value presented to a student based on academic achievement or financial need.
     
     
   • Scholarship – A financial award given on the basis of academic achievement.
     
     
   • Prize – A financial award (usually of smaller value) given for proficiency in a specific subject or course(s). Selection criteria other than performance in a course or courses (e.g., an essay competition) may also be used.
     
     
   • Medal – A university medal awarded to a graduating student on the basis of their overall superior academic performance.
     
     
   • Bursary (Grant) – A financial award given to students on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Other selection criteria (such as extracurricular involvement) may also be used.
     
     
   • OSAP – The Ontario Student Assistance Program provides government-funded repayable loans and non-repayment grants to eligible Ontario students.
     
     
   • UTAPS – University of Toronto Advance Planning for Students. UTAPS grant support is provided by the University to students whose assessed need is greater than government aid will cover.
     
     
   • OSOTF Awards – Awards established through the Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund program. These awards are given to students who have financial need and are Ontario residents. (Residency is defined as having lived in Ontario for 12 months prior to beginning post-secondary studies.)
     
     
3. Principles
   
   
   • The purpose of the Victoria University Awards program is to attract, recognize, and reward academic achievement and to ensure accessibility for students registered in one of the Colleges of Victoria University.
     
     
   • The terms and conditions of all awards established since 1990 must comply with the Ontario Human Rights Code and must be free of criteria based on personal characteristics such as race, ancestry, colour, ethnic origin, sex, creed, age, marital status, family status, sexual orientation or disability. Victoria will continue to offer a few long-established awards that are for male students only or female students only. In order to ensure accessibility, the University may from time to time establish awards specifically intended to improve the participation of particular groups of students. The terms will allow for review and provide for alternative uses of the funds once the specific purpose has been met.
     
     
   • The policies and procedures of the Victoria University Awards program are developed and approved by the Senate Executive Committee.
     
     
   • Except where otherwise stated in the terms of an award, recipients must be registered at Victoria College and must be pursuing their first undergraduate degree or be registered at Emmanuel College and must be pursuing a second-entry undergraduate or graduate degree.
     
     
     
4. Establish New Awards
   
   
   • Gifts of funds for endowed awards are managed by the CAO on behalf of the University in accordance with the Board of Regents’ Statement of Investment Policies and Guidelines for Endowment and Pension Funds, with the intent that the real capital value of the funds will be maintained in perpetuity.
     
     
   • Terms proposed by donors must be approved by the Senate Executive Committee.
     
     
   • Terms laid down in bequests must be approved by the Senate Executive Committee.
     
     
   • New awards are subject to the Victoria University policy on Donor Recognition.
     
     
   • Victoria University will provide the donor annually with a report on the status of their endowed fund. In the case of scholarships but not bursaries, donors will be notified of the names of recipients. The University may provide this information to a member of the donor’s family after the death of the donor.
     
     
   • A named award may be established in Victoria University for a minimum endowment of $50,000 or $25,000 provided in expendable funds over a five-year period. Senate approval is required for the name and award terms, and any subsequent changes to the name and award terms. Donations of any amount to any Victoria University award fund are welcomed and will be appropriately acknowledged.
     
     
5. Granting of Awards
   
   
   • The awarding body is the Senate Executive Committee on the authority of the Senate of Victoria University, which from time to time empowers the University Registrar to make decisions concerning awards based on clear guidelines.
     
     
   • For awards presented at graduation, the Senate is the awarding body on recommendation of the Senate Executive Committee.
     
     
   • To avoid conflict of interest, donors are not permitted to participate in the selection of recipients for awards for which they are the donor.
     
     
   • In determining financial need, the Senate Executive Committee relies on the OSAP need-assessment process and the UTAPS program at the University of Toronto. Alternative needs assessment methods may be used where financial need is not captured by OSAP and UTAPS.
     
     
   • All scholarship recipients must be in good standing (CGPA of 1.50+ for Victoria College students or CGPA 2.70+ for Emmanuel College students) to receive an award.
     
     
6. Protection of Awards Information
   
   Personal information about students and donors collected for the purpose of administering Victoria University’s financial assistance and awards program is collected under the authority granted to the Victoria University Act 1951, as amended 1981. At all times, it will be treated and protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
   
   
7. Outside Awards
   
   Victoria University may provide assistance to external agencies providing scholarships and awards, where these might potentially benefit our students and where this has been approved by the Senate Executive Committee.
   
   
8. These policies will be reviewed by the Senate Executive Committee at least every three years.
   
   
9. Last revised and approved by the Senate Executive Committee on December 10, 2024

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.

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.

• 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.

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, second, third or fourth 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, 2025. 

Apply for a Vic Participation In-Course Award - now closed until March 2026

The Mary Brant Award (not offered 2025)
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 (one award up to $1,200)
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 (two 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 Arnold Tate Bailey Scholarship (not offered 2025)
Completion year of study: 1, 2 or 3 
Awarded to Victoria College students in the Humanities who have achieved excellence during the course of their academic pursuits, with preference for students who contribute to or are involved in student publications and newspapers, and/or pursuing studies leading to the teaching profession (i.e. education & society minor program).

The Eric A. B. Brock Scholarship (one award up to $1,500)
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 up to $1,100)
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 (one award up to $1,500)
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 Lisa Khoo and John Northcott Participation Award (one award up to $1,000)
Completion year of study: 1, 2 or 3
Awarded to Victoria College students who achieve excellence during the course of their studies and who have made a positive contribution to the life of Victoria College and/or the broader community, with preference to students involved in student journalism, media, or performing arts.

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 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 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.

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 Romans Family Scholarship (three 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 (one award of $1,000)
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 $1,500 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 Andy Zhuofan Chen Memorial Scholarship (one award up to $1,000
Completion of year of study: 2 or 3
Awarded to a Victoria College student who achieves excellence during the course of their studies, with preference to a student of Economics or Finance, who has made a positive contribution to the life of Victoria College and the community.

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 (one award up to $1,100) 
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 (not offered 2025) 
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 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.

See Nominations for VUSAC BIPOC Leadership Award

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. Note that University of Toronto Excellence Award (UTEA) recipients are not permitted 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, 2025.

Apply for the Milne Research Award - now closed until March 2026

 

"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

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, 2025 (5 p.m.). 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 Vic Special Award & Essay Prize - Now Open!

The John M Coles Prize
Value: up to $1,000
Donor: John Morton Coles (1930-2020) of the Victoria College Class of 1952.

Terms: 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.

2024 recipient: Alanna Diane teWinkel
2023 recipient: Sophie Stankovic

The Alta Lind Cook Prize
Value: up to $450
Donor: Estate of Alta Lind Cook (1892-1980) of the Victoria College Class of 1923, member of the teaching staff in French 1927-1961.

Terms: 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.

2024 recipient: Sophie Elise Williams
2023 recipient: Shannan Mann

The Hoeniger Book Collection Prize
Value: up to $600
See full application details below.

The Lincoln Hutton Essay Prize: Humanities/Social Sciences
Value: up to $350
Donor: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hutton of Windsor, Ontario in 1917 in memory of their son Lincoln George Hutton (1893-1916) of the Victoria College Class of 1915, recipient of the Sanford Gold Medal in Philosophy. Lieutenant 1st Battalion, he was killed in action in France on December 18, 1916.

Terms: 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. 

2024 recipient: Esther Cho
2023 recipient: Christopher Chang

The Lincoln Hutton Essay Prize: Sciences
Value: up to $350
Donor: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hutton of Windsor, Ontario in 1917 in memory of their son Lincoln George Hutton (1893-1916) of the Victoria College Class of 1915, recipient of the Sanford Gold Medal in Philosophy. Lieutenant 1st Battalion, he was killed in action in France on December 18, 1916.

Terms: 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.

2024 recipient: Asha India Mior
2023 recipient: Muireann Elizabeth Heuchan

Read about 2022 Winners

The Arthur Irwin Prize
Value: three prizes of $1,500 each
Donor: Family and friends in 1998 in honour of William Arthur Irwin (1898-1999) of the Victoria College Class of 1920, who had a distinguished career in journalism and in the diplomatic service of Canada.

Terms: 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.

2024 recipients: Stephanie Obeng Gyimah, Amelia Grace Winnifred Macintosh, Jun Ying Wen
2023 recipients: Andrea Paola Perez Barahona, Cyntha Sa, Jevan Isa Jude Konyar (runner-up)

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 $600
• Your "collection" needs neither to be large nor include any rare or expensive items

Deadline for Submissions: April 28, 2025, at 5 p.m.  Late applications will not be accepted. 

Apply for the Hoeniger Book Collection Prize - Now Open!

Rules and Advice

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 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 & Exhibit
  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 E.J. Pratt Library of at least 20 items from their collection, including a significant number that are deemed "most representative, important, and interesting." 

See Past Hoeniger Prize Winners

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

 
Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 are available for Victoria College students who are graduating in June/Nov. 2025 and beginning postgraduate studies in Fall 2025.  The online application is open in early February until March 31 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 master's & doctoral programs, or professional faculties (medicine, law, dentistry, etc.).
• Our postgraduate scholarships are very competitive and those applicants with only a CGPA of 3.80+ normally receive these awards. Some exceptions apply.
• Students are eligible to receive only one award. Students who have previously won a postgraduate award are not eligible to re-apply.
• To access the online application link below, you will need your UTORID and password for authentication. 
• A formal personal statement is required and must include the following information:
  1. the nature of the graduate work proposed,
  2. your reasons for wishing to pursue graduate studies,
  3. any experience or qualifications beyond the Bachelor's degree which may be relevant to proposed graduate work.
• Contact information for two academic references is required. The selection committee may contact them during the review period in May.
• Updates for graduate program acceptances and funding amounts can be submitted from April to mid-May by logging back into the online form.
• 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 2025. Set up direct deposit in advance on ACORN to receive these funds.
• Effective July 1, 2024, this application is open only to students in their graduating year from Victoria College and who are seeking admission to their intended graduate program in the same year. Students taking a gap year immediately after graduation are no longer eligible to apply.

Application deadline: March 31, 2025

Apply for a Postgraduate Scholarship - now closed until February 2026

Please send questions to vic.awards@utoronto.ca and include your full name and student number.

The Margaret Addison Scholarship (not offered in 2025)
Value: --
Donor: The Victoria Women's Association and women graduates in 1943 in memory of Margaret Eleanor Theodora Addison (1868-1940) of the Victoria College Class of 1889, first Dean of Women of Victoria University 1903-1931.

Award terms: Awarded biennially to a female graduate of Victoria College to enable her to pursue postgraduate studies at an approved university outside of Canada.

2024 recipient: Natalie Elaine Boehmer

The Ethel Treble and F. Louis Barber Travelling Scholarship
Value: up to $3,000
Donor: Estate of Ethel May (Treble) Barber (1877-1946), wife of the Reverend Frank Louis Barber (1877-1945) of the Victoria College Class of 1903, Bursar of Victoria University 1921-1924, Librarian 1924-1945.

Award terms: 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.

2024 recipient: Julia Chunxiao Hu

The Annie May Bowers Scholarship (not offered in 2025)
Value: --
Donor: Estate of Annie May Bowers (1884-1978) of the Victoria College Class of 1910.

Award terms: 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.

2023 recipient: Karen Mao

The Teça Patricia (Court) Coles Postgraduate Scholarship
Value: up to $4,000
Donor: Cathy Sinclair in memory of her mother Teça Patricia (Court) Coles (1917-2008), graduate of the Victoria College Class of 1939 and Toronto School of Library Sciences 1940, who worked at Victoria College libraries 1960-1964, then as Head of the Resource Centre at Downsview Secondary School, Toronto; and the James Morrow Regents Matching Fund.

Award terms: Awarded to a graduate of Victoria College with high overall A standing who intends to pursue postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Information Studies of the University of Toronto. Formerly named The Teça May Court and George Alexander Court Scholarship.

2024 recipient: Julie Kim

The Helen Muriel and Doris Elizabeth Hubbert Award
Value: up to $7,000
Donor: The Harshman Fellowships Society. Established in 2012.

Award terms: 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.

2024 recipients: Asha India Mior, Maggie J. X. Zhang

The Ada Snider Huenergard Scholarship
Value: up to $3,500 
Donor: Estate of Ada Helena Snider Huenergard (1898-1978) of the Victoria College Class of 1919.

Award terms: Awarded to a woman graduate of Victoria College who desires to pursue postgraduate studies in an approved university in any discipline.

2024 recipient: Madison Emma Corrine Denney

The Lyla May Guest Hugill Memorial Scholarship
Value: up to $7,000
Donor: Estate of Lyla May Guest Hugill (1892-1987) of the Victoria College Class of 1916, widow of William Meredith Hugill (1894-1963) of the University College Class of 1916, teacher of Classics at the University of Manitoba 1920-1962.

Award terms: Awarded to a graduate of Victoria College for postgraduate studies in English or Classics.

2024 recipient: Sophia Abigail Ruffo

The Mary Coyne Rowell Jackman Graduate Scholarship
Value: two awards up to $6,000 each

Donor: Nancy Ruth, President of Nancy's Very Own Foundation in memory of her mother Mary Coyne Rowell Jackman, DLittS, LLD (1904-1994) of the Victoria College Class of 1925. Mary Jackman's father Newton Wesley Rowell (1867-1941), Chief Justice of Ontario 1936-1938, was a member of the Board of Regents 1901-1933; her mother Nellie (Langford) Rowell (1874-1968) was a member of the Victoria College Class of 1896; her aunt Mary Coyne Rowell (1870-1940) of the Class of 1898 was a member of the Department of French 1919-1935; her uncle Arthur Leopold Langford (1862-1923) of the Class of 1884 was Registrar of Victoria University 1909-1922; she herself, a lifelong supporter, presented works of art and gave her important collection of first editions of writers of the Bloomsbury Group to the Victoria University Library. Additional donors: the Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund; the University of Toronto Endowment Adjustment Fund. Established in 1997.

Award terms: Awarded to a woman graduate of Victoria College for postgraduate study in Art, Literature or Religion. Financial need must be demonstrated.

2024 recipients: Emily Ena Anne Dumais, Shannan Mann 

The Frances Joan Lambier Scholarship
Value: two awards at up to $8,000 each
Donor: Estate of Frances Joan Lambier (1930-1987) of the Victoria College Class of 1952.

Award terms: 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.

2024 recipients: Lisa Paramonova, Bradley Duncan Wood-MacLean

The Walter Neil Thompson McKay Scholarship
Value: up to $1,500
Donor: Estate of Walter Neil Thompson McKay (1910-1994) of the Victoria College Class of 1933.

Award terms: Awarded to an Honours graduating student who is proceeding to postgraduate studies.

2024 recipient: Kevin Zhu

The Professor George Metcalf Graduate Scholarship
Value: up to $7,000
Donor: The George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation in 1990 in memory of George Metcalf (1935-1990) of the Victoria College Class of 1958, lecturer in British Imperial History at the University of London 1963-1971, member of the Department of History of the University of Western Ontario 1971-1990.

Award terms: 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.

2024 recipient:  Astrid Joy Lacroix-Desanti

The N. Jane Pepino Scholarship
Value: up to $2,000
Donor: N. Jane Pepino, Victoria College Class of 1967, to honour her connection with Victoria College. Established in 2022.

Award terms: 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.

2024 recipient: Sucdi Addow

The Professor D. O. Robson Graduate Scholarship
Value: up to $5,000
Donor: Estate of Professor Donald Oakley Robson (1905-1976) of the Victoria College Class of 1928, member of the Department of Classics of Victoria College 1947-1971 and its chair 1960-1971.

Award terms: 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.

2024 recipients:  Palvasha Safdar Khan, Una Vulevic

The Professor D. O. Robson Graduate Scholarship for Study Abroad
Value: up to $10,000

Award terms: 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.

2023 recipient: Yui Jit Kwong

The Graduate Scholarship for Studies in Education
Value: two awards at up to $3,500 each

Donor: Graduates of Victoria College who have served the teaching profession; established to honour the memory of Egerton Adolphus Ryerson (1803-1882), Principal of Victoria College 1842-1847, President of Victoria University 1850-1854, founder of the public education system of Ontario, and to encourage promising and committed students to prepare themselves for a teaching career. Additional donors are the Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund and the University Endowment Adjustment Fund. Established in 1997.

Award terms: 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.

2024 recipients: Mecca Hussein, Ruo Fan Jin

The Victoria University Postgraduate Scholarship
Value: up to six awards of $5,000 each

Donor: Established in 2022 by Victoria University.

Award terms: Awarded to a graduating student of Victoria College who is pursuing postgraduate studies of any discipline.

2024 recipients: Jonathan Angell, Rachel Chiang, Vedika Jha, Yiannie Lin, Asha Mior, Ava Stedman, Shashvat Varma, Lezshi Wang, Maggie J.X. Zhang

The Helen Maude Vokes Scholarship
Value: up to $3,700

Donor: Estate of Fred Allan Vokes (d. 1989) of Stratford, Ontario in memory of his wife Helen Maude Lindsay (1905-1978) of the Victoria College Class of 1930.

Award terms: Awarded to an outstanding graduate of Victoria College who proceeds to postgraduate studies in English.

2024 recipient: Aria Margriet Brommers Kowal

The Professor John Wood and Sybil Wood Scholarship
Value: up to $2,500
Donor: Michael John Booth Wood and Valerie Noreen Wood in 1999 in memory of their parents John Sinclair Wood (1908-1998), member of the Department of French of Victoria College 1949-1976, and Sybil Lydia (Booth) Wood (1916-1995). Revised terms in 2025.

Award terms: Awarded to a student with high overall A standing who has completed a Specialist or Major Program in French and has been admitted to French studies in the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Toronto. Open to students of all colleges of the Faculty of Arts & Science, with preference given to a Victoria College student.

2024 recipient: Connor Thomas Zapp

Awarded by nomination (no application required)

The George and Helen Doner Scholarship (not offered in 2025)
Value: --
Donor: Friends of George Hawley Doner (1924-1983), a Law graduate of the Victoria College Class of 1946, and his wife Helen Patrick (1923-1984) of the Class of 1945; established in 1985.

Award terms: 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.

2024 recipients: Rachel Elizabeth Brouwer, Guy Arie Mizrahi

The White Postgraduate Scholarship in French
Value: two awards at up to $5,000 each
Donor: estate of Della Margaret White (1911-1988) of the Victoria College Class of 1932, a teacher of French and German at Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School 1935-1965. 

Award terms: awarded to a graduate of the Faculty of Arts & Science for postgraduate studies in French, with preference given to a Victoria College student.

2024 recipient: Alice Beatrice Charles (New College)

Other Graduate Award Opportunities

University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies

Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS)

Graduate Funding & Scholarships Quercus

Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

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 2025.

The University of Toronto Vari Scholarship is valued up to $50,000: $10,000/year for three years of undergraduate study and two 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 FCEs 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 May.

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 is 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 are 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, 2025. 

Apply for the Vari Scholarship - Now Open!

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

2024 recipients: Arianne Isabel Rodriguez, Feng Qing Yang, Janice Yeh-Eun Yong
2023 recipients: Nina Barbara Dawicki, Alina Guo, Alexander Isaac Teschow
2022 recipients: Mitzi Jasmin Badlis, Julia Kathryn Kozlowski, Arlene Shirui Wang

See 2021 Vari Scholarship Recipients

 

“Receiving the Vari Scholarship has profoundly impacted my journey at the University of Toronto. This award has deepened my passion for child development and creatively contributed to the future of teaching by alleviating financial stress and allowing me to embrace learning abroad and experiential opportunities.” – Julia Kozlowski, Vari Scholar, Victoria College Class of 2025

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

 

• 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

 

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

April Hoy, Associate Registrar and Manager Registrarial Services
Victoria College Office of the Registrar & Academic Services
Goldring Student Centre, 3rd Floor
150 Charles St. W.
Toronto, ON  M5S 1K9

Email: vic.registrar@utoronto.ca
Tel: 416-585-4508