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You could receive up to $4,000 to cover tuition fees for the first year of your postsecondary education or training (college, university, trade school, apprenticeship)
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Applicants are also eligible for second year scholarships of up to $4,000 if they attend one of the following Toronto schools:
- Ryerson University
- University of Toronto
- York University
- Humber College
- George Brown College
- Seneca College
- Ontario College of Art and Design University
Who is eligible?
- Youth who are attending postsecondary school in 2019/2020
- 29 years old or younger (as of May 2019)
- Not perevious recipient of the IIOD Scholarship
- Toronto Community Housing tenants or a person living in the Scadding Court Community Centre (SCCC) catchment area (Lake Ontario to the south, Bloor Street to the north, Yonge St. to the east, and Lansdowne Ave. to the west)
- Entering first year of postsecondary school
- Returning postsecondary student
- Able to demonstrate a need for financial assistance
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents
Everyone who applies for a scholarship will receive:
- One-on-one counselling to assist with resume writing, job searching
- Employment services offered through St. Stephen’s Community House Employment and Training Centre and Toronto Youth Employment Services
- Assistance with looking for and getting a job
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Job matching assistance
How are recipients selected?
Successful scholarship recipients are selected from among Toronto's up-and-coming diverse young leaders. Each recipient must have made a strong contribution to their communities in promoting diversity, equity and anti-racism dialogue.
The scholarship funds can be used by students to pay for tuition fees, books and residence fees at publicly-funded, Canadian post-secondary institutions or related expenses. The funds may also be applied towards the costs of a recognized trade apprenticeship program or to support a transitional year for mature students returning to school.
Meet some past winners
Kadre
Kadre is a star athlete from Don Mills and Sheppard who dreams of becoming a doctor.
"If I could save lives, that's the number one thing I would do. I want to go to medical school and become a surgeon," he says. Kadre also spends his time mentoring young kids in his neighbourhood, a passion that he says has helped him become closer to his community. "I like to be around the people, especially the young kids in my community. Mentoring them is so rewarding, watching them learn and grow is the best part," he says.
Rayan
Rayan is a student from Regent Park who organizes local workshops in her community to discuss issues relating to racism, Islamaphobia, anti-oppression and mental health challenges facing minorities.
"My ultimate dream is to be a therapist or a psychiatrist and open up my own practice," she says. "There aren't many mental health supports for people living in low-income communities. I want to open up a facility where people of colour and people from low-income households can access resources and counselling."
Kadiatu
Kadiatu is a student from Jane and Finch who hopes to become a journalist.
"What I like about journalism is that you're not just sitting at a desk for eight hours, you're getting out, exploring the world, meeting people and sharing stories," she says.
As a youth mentor at Success Beyond Limits, Kadiatu is also passionate about empowering young people in her community. "I want to make sure youth voices are heard and taken seriously. I want to bridge that gap between youth and adults, because I feel that there's a real divide between those two worlds."
Read about the 2016 IIOD awards gala.
Watch Hafeezat's story
Jamestown student gets scholarship, says she hopes to inspire others.
IIOD in the news
