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CNIB Post-Secondary Scholarships

Overview

CNIB's Post-Secondary Scholarships are awarded to Canadian students who are blind or partially sighted for the purpose of pursuing their post-secondary studies. These scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 as follows:

•    The Bernice and Robert Gilbert Fund
One available scholarship of $1,000
The Bernice and Robert Gilbert Fund, held by Vancouver Foundation, was established through the estate of the late Bernice Gilbert. The fund was created to support a bursary for a visually impaired student in a post-secondary institution in B.C.
•    FJL Woodcock SAPA Scholarships
Several available scholarships of $1,000
Established in 1989, these scholarships were named after Captain Fred Woodcock, a World War II veteran who was blinded in action. They are made possible by the families of veterans who were blinded during combat in World Wars I and II, as well as the Korean War. The families donated generously to encourage blind and partially sighted students to pursue post-secondary education and training.

•    CNIB General Scholarships
Several available scholarships of $3,000
CNIB Scholarships are awarded to students who are blind or partially sighted and who demonstrate amazing courage, determination and passion in fighting for their independence and future.
•    The Dr. John and Olive Pyper Scholarship
One available scholarship of $4,000
Dr. John Pyper was an ophthalmologist from Stratford, Ontario, who in 1955 extracted the first two eyes donated to the Eye Bank of Canada, and continued to perform this procedure for decades. In 2014, Dr. John and Olive Pyper’s heirs (represented by Jon Pyper and Andrew Pyper) established an annual scholarship to be given to a student who is blind or partially sighted, living in any one of the counties of Southwestern Ontario; namely Perth, Wellington, Waterloo, Oxford, Middlesex and Huron. The scholarship is designated to assist the recipient with tuition and other related costs while attending a post-secondary program.
•    The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary
Four available bursaries of $4,000 each
The Joyce Family Foundation was created by Canadian entrepreneur Ronald V. Joyce, best known as the legendary Canadian entrepreneur who, in 1964, invested in the first Tim Hortons donut shop in Hamilton, Ontario. Joyce went on to grow the business into one of the most successful food service chains in the world. The Foundation's primary focus is to provide access to education for children and youth with significant financial need or facing other socio-economic barriers to success.
•    Barney Danson Scholarship
One available scholarship of $5,000
Barney Danson's life was one of service to his country - as soldier, MP, minister of several portfolios in the Pierre Trudeau governments, Consul General in Boston, successful businessman and philanthropist. He did all this without the sight in one eye, which he lost in the war. Recipients of this scholarship have proven their dedication to success, despite their vision loss, through their academic, personal and charitable endeavors.

Eligibility

In order to be considered eligible for any of the above scholarships, students should have a high degree of motivation and independence, and should be able to demonstrate a reasonable level of personal achievement. Students must be:
•    Blind or partially sighted (less than 20/70 corrected vision)
•    A secondary school graduate entering post-secondary education;
•    A Canadian citizen or have held landed immigrant status for one year prior to the date of application

Application process

Students who submit an application are automatically entered into competition for all CNIB Scholarships. Each applicant must submit only one completed application form to be considered for all available scholarships. Recipients will be determined by the CNIB Scholarship

Selection Committee in accordance with its application procedures.
Please click here to download the application form. Along with a completed application form, applicants must also submit:
•    An eye report from an optometrist or ophthalmologist
•    At least one letter of reference from a teacher or school official
•    An indication of graduation from a secondary education program and
•    An essay of no more than two pages on the topic “My abilities vs. my disability”

Applications will be accepted by mail, fax, or electronic format.  They must be received no later than May 31. Please submit to:

Shampa Bose
Research Coordinator, CNIB
1929 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, ON M4G 3E8
Tel: 416-486-2500 ext. 7622
Fax: 416-480-7700
Email: shampa.bose@cnib.ca
http://www.cnib.ca/en/about/Scholarships-Awards/awards/Scholarships/Pages/CNIB_Scholarships.aspx