Victoria University and College Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

Victoria University, encompassing Victoria College and Emmanuel College, offers a diverse range of scholarships and awards designed to support its students in their academic pursuits. These financial awards aim to recognize academic merit, address financial need, and foster student engagement within the university community. This guide provides an overview of the types of awards available, general eligibility criteria, and specific scholarship opportunities.

Understanding Scholarship and Award Classifications

Victoria University categorizes student awards into several distinct types, each with a specific purpose and criteria. Understanding these classifications is crucial for students seeking financial assistance.

Prize: Typically a financial award of smaller value, a prize is awarded for exceptional proficiency in a specific subject or course(s). These are often academic in nature and recognize outstanding performance within a defined academic area.
Bursary (Grant): A bursary is a financial award primarily based on demonstrated financial need. These awards are designed to assist students who may face financial barriers to their education, ensuring that economic circumstances do not impede their ability to study.
UTAPS (University of Toronto Advance Planning for Students): This program is part of the University of Toronto's broader financial aid framework, and Victoria University students may benefit from its provisions. UTAPS aims to provide additional financial support to students, often in conjunction with other forms of aid.
OSOTF Awards (Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund): Awards established through the OSOTF program are specifically designated for students who demonstrate financial need and are residents of Ontario. These awards are a vital resource for many Ontario-based students, bolstering the province's commitment to accessible higher education.

General Award Policies and Eligibility

Victoria University adheres to a set of policies to ensure fairness, accessibility, and compliance with relevant regulations in its administration of student awards.

Compliance and Equity: Since 1990, all new awards established at Victoria University must comply with the Ontario Human Rights Code. This means that criteria for awards must be free of discrimination based on personal characteristics such as race, ancestry, colour, ethnic origin, sex, creed, age, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, or disability. This commitment ensures that all students have an equal opportunity to benefit from the university's financial support.

Historical and Targeted Awards: While the university prioritizes equitable access, it acknowledges the existence of a few long-established awards that may be exclusively for male or female students. The university also reserves the right to establish awards specifically designed to enhance the participation of particular student groups, aiming to promote diversity and inclusion within the student body.

Donor Relations: Victoria University maintains transparent communication with donors who establish endowed funds. The university provides annual reports on the status of these funds. For scholarships (as distinct from bursaries), donors are also notified of the names of the recipients, fostering a connection between those who provide support and those who benefit from it.

Establishing New Awards: To establish a named award at Victoria University, a minimum endowment of $50,000 is required, or $25,000 in expendable funds provided over a five-year period. The name and terms of any award require Senate approval, as do any subsequent changes. This rigorous approval process ensures the integrity and alignment of all awards with the university's mission.

Financial Need Assessment: For awards that consider financial need, the Senate Executive Committee primarily relies on the assessment processes of OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) and UTAPS at the University of Toronto. This standardized approach ensures a consistent and equitable evaluation of financial need.

Protection of Personal Information

The collection of personal information from students and donors for the administration of Victoria University's financial assistance and awards program is conducted under the authority granted by the Victoria University Act 1951, as amended in 1981. This ensures that all personal data is handled in accordance with legal frameworks and with a commitment to privacy.

In-Course Scholarships and Awards

Victoria College offers in-course scholarships to its students, providing financial recognition for academic achievement during their studies.

Guaranteed In-Course Scholarship: All Victoria College students who do not already hold a renewable Vic scholarship are guaranteed an in-course scholarship of up to $1,000. This award is contingent upon achieving 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. It is important to note that the Faculty of Arts & Science Dean's List Scholar designation is separate from Vic's in-course scholarship assessments.

Calculating Averages for Awards: The Registrar's Office employs a fair method for calculating averages to determine candidates for in-course awards. This method ensures that all students, whether registered as part-time or full-time, or having attended winter or summer sessions, are treated equitably. The calculation utilizes Sessional Grade Point Averages reported by the Office of the Faculty Registrar, multiplying these by the number of credits for each session to derive an average for a credit group. Credits earned prior to becoming a Vic student are excluded from this calculation.

Eligibility for Renewable Scholarships: Students who hold renewable Victoria College scholarships are eligible for renewal upon completing 5.0, 10.0, and 15.0 credits. However, they are not eligible for additional in-course awards. To receive payment of their in-course scholarship, students must be continuing their studies at Victoria College in the subsequent Fall/Winter session.

Payment of In-Course Scholarships: In-course scholarships are generally paid as a credit to the recipient's student account in the fall, typically by mid-October, upon confirmation of registration.

Application-Based Awards: While many scholarships and awards are automatically assessed, Victoria College offers a limited number of awards that require a specific application. Students should be aware of these opportunities and ensure they submit applications by the designated deadlines.

Prohibition of Generative AI Use: Victoria College has a strict policy against the use of generative AI (such as ChatGPT) for creating content presented as one's own. Students found to have violated this policy will be disqualified from award eligibility, as such use is considered an academic offence.

Single In-Course Award: Students are eligible to receive only one Vic in-course award per academic year.

Participation In-Course Awards: For students seeking recognition for both academic merit and extracurricular involvement, Participation In-Course Awards are available. These awards acknowledge contributions to student life at Victoria College and/or the University of Toronto, in addition to academic performance.

Award Availability: Due to funding limitations, some awards may not be offered in every academic year. Victoria University is committed to providing an environment where students can explore their ideas and talents, and the availability of awards reflects this ongoing commitment.

Specific Scholarship and Award Opportunities

Victoria University offers a variety of named scholarships and awards, each with specific criteria and benefits. The following provides details on some of these opportunities:

The Chris and Vo Love Scholarship:* Value: Up to $1,500.

Completion Year of Study: 1st or 2nd year.
Awarded to: An outstanding Victoria College student of English or Classics, with a preference for a student intending to return to residence at Victoria for their second or third year.

The David W Pretty Award:* Value: Two awards of $5,000 each.

Completion Year of Study: 1st or 2nd year.
Awarded to: Students registered at Victoria College for their second or third year of study, who have achieved a minimum overall B average and reside in a Victoria College student residence during the award period. Preference is given to students active in student life at Victoria College and the University of Toronto. Financial need may be considered but is not a mandatory requirement. The award is renewable for one year, provided the criteria are met. Applicants should indicate their application for the DAVID W. Pretty Award.

The Arnold Tate Bailey Scholarship:* Value: Up to $1,500.

Completion Year of Study: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year.
Awarded to: Victoria College students in the Humanities who have demonstrated academic excellence. Preference is given to students involved in student publications and newspapers, or those pursuing studies leading to the teaching profession.

The Eric A. B. [Name Missing] Scholarship:* Value: Up to $1,500.

Completion Year of Study: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year.
Awarded to: Victoria College students enrolled in a music program who exhibit academic excellence, or students who have completed a Faculty of Arts & Science music course and participated in music-related co-curricular activities on campus.

The Orpha (Farr) Garriock Scholarship:* Value: Three awards of up to $1,500 each.

Completion Year of Study: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year.
Awarded to: Victoria College students enrolled in a music program who achieve academic excellence, or students who have completed a Faculty of Arts & Science music course and participated in co-curricular activities on campus related to music.

The Mary M Pearson Scholarship:* Value: Two awards of up to $1,200 each.

Completion Year of Study: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year.
Awarded to: A Victoria College student who has excelled in Philosophy, English, or Women and Gender Studies.

The Brian David Radford Memorial Scholarships:* Value: Six awards of up to $1,500 each.

Completion Year of Study: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year.
Awarded to: Victoria College students who have achieved high academic standing and whose participation in athletics, stage productions, student government, student publications, or volunteer service demonstrates a dedication to overall excellence. Preference is given to students enrolled in a Program of Study leading to the Bachelor of Commerce degree. Some awards will be granted to OSAP recipients.

The Kathryn Anne Radford Scholarships:* Value: Five awards of up to $1,500 each.

Completion Year of Study: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year.
Awarded to: Victoria College students who have achieved high academic standing and whose participation in athletics, stage productions, student government, student publications, or volunteer service demonstrates a dedication to overall excellence. Preference is given to students enrolled in a Major or Specialist Program in a Modern Language.

The Alice Brown and John Coles Scholarship:* Value: Up to $1,200.

Completion Year of Study: 2nd or 3rd year.
Awarded to: A student with high academic standing (normally at least GPA 3.50+), who has made an effective contribution to athletic activities. This scholarship is awarded annually at the end of the second or third year.

The Milne Research Award:* Established: 2008 by the Estate of Dr. Lorus J Milne (1910-1987) of the Victoria College Class of 1933 and Dr. [Name Missing].

Awarded to: Victoria College students for research purposes. The research undertaken cannot be a component of a course taken for academic credit. The intended research project must take place over the summer session. Recipients of the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) are eligible to apply.
Application: Online applications are typically available starting in early March. The online Special Award/Essay Prize application does not apply to this award.
Disbursement: If approved, Milne Research Award funds are issued directly to the student as a credit on their ACORN student account.
Process: Complete the online application using your UTORid and password for authentication.
Testimonial: "I am so grateful to Victoria College for the Milne Research Award. I cannot overstate how much of an impact Vic has had in nurturing my academic passions and pursuits."

Special Awards and Essay Prizes:* Application: To be considered for Special Awards and Essay Prizes, complete the Special Award/Essay Prize Application.

Availability: Due to funding, some awards may not be offered every year.
Terms: Awarded to a student of Victoria College 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.

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, a recipient of the Sanford Gold Medal in Philosophy.
Terms: Awarded for the best essay written by a Victoria College student for a course during the academic year. Essays submitted for 100-series courses, the Senior English Essay, and essays for 300- or 400-series Independent Studies courses are ineligible. For 100s essays, consult the John M. [Name Missing] Award.

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, a recipient of the Sanford Gold Medal in Philosophy.
Terms: Awarded for the best essay written by a Victoria College student for a science course during the academic year.

The F. [Name Missing] Award for Best Writing in a Campus Publication:* Terms: Awarded for the best writing, outside of course work, by a Victoria College student in a campus publication. Submissions may include feature articles in The Strand, The Varsity, or other recognized University publications, 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 the submission.

The F. [Name Missing] Prize for the Best Student Collection:* Eligibility: Any student registered at Victoria College at the time of the competition. Entrants may submit only one "collection" per year.

Definition of a "Collection": For the purposes of this prize, a collection comprises at least 20 items acquired as a result of developing a particular interest, which may be academic or not. Printed items that are not books may be included if they align with the interest (e.g., a playbill for a dramatist-focused collection, or an Audubon plate for a bird-watching collection). The collection need not consist of costly or rare items and may include paperbacks.
Submission Requirements:
- An ordered list (alphabetical, chronological, or otherwise appropriate) of the items in the collection. This list or bibliography should include basic information about each item, such as author, title, original publication date (if different from the item's date), place of publication, publisher, and publication date of the item in the collection.
- An indication (e.g., using asterisks) of approximately ten items that the candidate considers most representative, important, and interesting.
- A statement (500â1,000 words) explaining the collection, including the interest or motive behind it, its coherence, the personal history of the collection, a particularly valued item, and any desired additions.
Judging: Submissions are judged by an annually appointed committee.
Exhibit: The winner will be expected to participate fully in arranging an exhibition in the E.J. [Name Missing] Gallery.

Postgraduate Scholarships:* Value: Ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

Eligibility: Victoria College students graduating in Spring/Fall 2026 and commencing postgraduate studies in Fall 2026.
Application Timeline: The online application is typically open from early February until March 31 each year.
Competitiveness: These scholarships are highly competitive, with applicants normally needing a CGPA of 3.80+ to be considered.
Award Limit: Students are eligible to receive only one award.
References: Contact information for two academic references is required.
Fund Release: Award funds are released upon confirmation of registration in the intended postgraduate program in Fall 2026.
Recent Change: Effective July 1, 2024, this application is exclusively for students in their graduating year from Victoria College who are seeking admission to their intended graduate program in the same year.

The Ethel Treble and F. [Name Missing] Award:* Award Terms: Awarded to a student with high overall A standing, where at least 50% of their degree courses have been in Psychology or Philosophy.

The Helen Muriel and Doris Elizabeth Hubbert Award:* Value: Up to $7,900, or two awards of up to $3,950 each.

Donor: The Harshman Fellowships Society.

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