Meridian’s Commitment to Communities Sean Jackson Scholarship recognizes and rewards community initiative, innovation and impact among Ontario youth. Each year, we award one leading post-secondary scholarship to a high school graduate who has demonstrated both academic excellence and an outstanding commitment to communities of their own.
Meridian is interested in hearing from students who are using energy, creativity and entrepreneurship to solve or address a vital problem in their community. Whether they are advocating for youth literacy or creating a solution for blue box lids, past scholarship winners have made a demonstrated community impact.
How to Apply
- Eligibility
- Application
- Judging
- Ontario resident
- Planning to enter their first year of study in the fall academic term at a recognized, publicly funded Canadian college or university (must not have graduated more than 12 months prior to application)
- Achieved an academic average of 80% or higher
- Demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their community. This can be achieved through volunteerism that demonstrates leadership, initiative and innovation
- Applications are accepted between March 1 and April 30 annually.
- Official transcripts (most recent)
- 3 short essays:
- One 200 word essay on your post-secondary education goals.
- One 200 word essay on your long term career goals.
- One 500 word essay describing your outstanding commitment to community:
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- One letter of recommendation from a school that speaks to your academic and school accomplishments.
- One letter of recommendation from a community group that speaks to your community impact.
- Optional documents: Proof of post-secondary education acceptance.
Judging Criteria
Innovation
- The application of creativity; turning an idea into a solution that is novel and adds value
- Has solved (or is working to solve) a critical issue in their community
Initiative
- Entrepreneurial spirit that is motivated to help create or establish something a program, project or event to impact change
- Is involved in multiple projects, programs, challenges and/or social issues
- Focuses on bigger picture, or social issues outside their immediate affiliations
Leadership
- Engages others in their work in a meaningful and collaborative way
- Mentors or coaches others
- Has made effort to ensure project/programs etc. continues after they are involved
Community
- Can be any physical, secular community of which anyone can be a part (i.e. school, town, province etc.)