Are you a student who received services at an EKO member organization? If you’ll be studying at a college, university, Indigenous institute or career training program in the fall, EKO wants to support your education and career goals!
We’re offering six scholarships of $2,500 each, including an exclusive award for self-identified Indigenous, First Nations and Métis students. Our scholarship is an invaluable tool to help you achieve your personal and professional goals.
Since 2011, we’ve supported kids with disabilities pursuing education programs–from the arts to health sciences, to game development and law. Our scholars are interested in the visual arts, performance, music, technology, sports, literature, journalism, and so much more! Students who have received support through the EKO Scholarship Program have attended colleges and universities across Ontario.
Post-secondary education is an important element for achieving independence, yet people with disabilities are less likely to attend and complete post-secondary education than those without disabilities. Our hope is that the EKO Award helps more students with disabilities achieve the life they want through post-secondary and graduate education.
We can’t wait to read your application and learn about what motivates you to enter the program of your choice, who inspires you and why, and how you can share your talents, knowledge, and skills!
How to Apply
- Eligibility
- Application
- Judging
You can apply for the Empowered Kids Ontario Scholarship if you’ve received services from one of Empowered Kids Ontario member organizations.
You must be nearing completion or have completed your secondary education and will enroll/continue enrollment in the next academic year in an accredited certificate or degree-granting program at the post-secondary or graduate level from a:
- college, university or Indigenous Institute
- continuing education program
- traditional knowledge program
- vocational-technical school or arts training program
You must be a:
- Canadian citizen
- Canadian First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth are eligible for any of the six awards, including the EKO Scholarship for Indigenous students
- Permanent resident/landed immigrant
- Convention refugee
- Protected person living in Canada, as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
If you’ve applied before you are invited to apply again this year. Those who have already been named an EKO Scholar are no longer eligible.
In order to apply for the EKO Scholarship, you’ll need to submit:
- A completed EKO Scholarship application
- A letter from the EKO member organization verifying you’ve received services
- Two letters of recommendation from people who know you well that include:
- How the supporter knows you
- Why the supporter believes you deserve the EKO Scholarship
- How the scholarship will benefit you
- Applicants are asked to tell us about themselves. You can do this however you feel you best express yourself. That might be an original essay up to 750-words OR a creative project (e.g. video, short story, visual artwork, music composition, recorded performance). Choose a medium and a topic or topics that will help us get to know you. For instance, you can tell us about someone who has inspired you (this can be someone you know, a historical figure, or a fictional character). You might describe your strengths, how you became interested in the field of study you want to pursue, or discuss the impact that having this scholarship would have on your life. We simply want to learn about you!
The essay or creative work should address one (or more) of the following topics:
1. Tell us about how you have:
- Assisted others. This could be as a student in the classroom, as a school or community volunteer, as a mentor, or as a family member
- Be sure to give us a few examples!
OR
2. Tell us about people or events that inspire you. You can share experiences that involve your friends, or mentors, history, current events, works of art (books, film, etc.). Tell us why these people or these events inspired you, and how you practice or apply lessons learned from these individuals or experiences.
OR
3. Share some examples of what inspired / motivated you to enter the program of your choice and what you will do with this learning.
You’re also encouraged to provide any other information you think would be helpful for the Selection Committee to make their decision.
Not sure your application is complete? Our handy checklist has you covered!
Visit our application page to apply now!
The Selection Committee considers each applicant’s interest in the scholarship, and the applicant’s educational and personal goals.
All applications are carefully reviewed and considered by the Selection Committee and the EKO Board of Directors. Applicants will be notified shortly after the final decision is made.
Have a question? Get in touch.