Bursaries/Funding for Application
Major Scholarships
Essay Prizes Awarded by Committee
International Student Travel Prize
Undergraduate Fund for the Study of Canada
External Bursary Opportunities
Internal Funding/Bursaries available by application:
Please note: These awards are distributed based on financial need. The in-course bursary applications are found at myTrent. It is located under the My Account tab > Financial Aid section > Current Students folder. Application due dates are Sept 30 (Fall term); January 31 (Winter term); May 31 (Summer Term). Students must be in receipt of funding (OSAP, Canada part time students loans, First Nations band funding, or the government financial aid program of their home province) for the current term.
Joyce Cumming Memorial Bursary
Established in memory of Joyce Cumming by husband, Stuart, children Shauna and Rod (Canadian Studies '87) family and friends. Awarded to an upper year student in Canadian Studies. OSOTF guidelines apply.
Rhoda Johnson Memorial Bursary
Established by Robert Johnston in memory of his wife Rhoda, a long term past employee of Trent University. Awarded to undergraduate students in a Canadian Studies Program.
The Gordon Farguharson Award
Established by friends, colleagues and family members in memory of Gordon H. T. Farquharson, Q.C., L.S.M., D.F.C. who practiced law with integrity in Peterborough for 55 years. To be awarded for the first time in 2005/6 to an undergraduate student studying History and Canadian Studies as a joint major.
Gerry and Mary Stephenson Award
Dedicated to the memory of Gerry Stephenson, an avid canoe historian. Awarded to a third year student in History or Canadian Studies.
John Wadland Award
To be awarded to the most worthy students in any year, graduate or undergraduate, of programs housed by the School for the Study of Canada, who have financial need, in recognition of John Wadland's seminal role in introducing students to Canadian Studies over the past three decades through CAST 200 "Canada: the Land". OTSS guidelines apply.
John Wadland Undergraduate Award for Canadian & International Students
To be awarded to the most worthy students with financial need in any year of the Canadian Studies Program, or students in the Diploma for Canadian Studies program, or students who are taking a significant number of Canadian Studies courses. This award is in recognition of John Wadland's seminal role in introducing students to Canadian Studies over three decades through CAST 200 "Canada: the Land". Available to Canadian and international students.
Major Scholarships in the School for the Study of Canada:
Ralph McEwen Scholarship in Canadian Literature & Canadian Social History
Established with an estate gift from Canadian Author, Jessie E. McEwen (1898-1986) in honour of her brother Ralph McEwen who died at the age of 12. Scholarships are awarded for excellence to students who are undertaking courses in Canadian literature or Canadian social history (minimum grade average 80% in such courses). Preference given to students finishing 2nd year.
Mary L. Northway Scholarship
Established to honour Mary Northway. Awarded to one or two students with the highest academic average (over 80%) entering into the fourth year of the honours program in Canadian Studies.
Carolyn Sarah Thomson Scholarship
Established by the late Carolyn Sarah Thomson, a Trent alumna who was intensely loyal to Trent and to the people -- faculty, staff and students -- who make the University unique. Expanded in 2016 to be awarded for excellence to two students, entering into second and third years of the Canadian Studies Program.
Other In-course Scholarships Available to Students Studying Canada (awarded by Financial Aid)
John Gilchrist Memorial Scholarship
Named in memory of John Gilchrist, a distinguished medieval scholar who taught at Trent. Awarded to an upper-year student with a single or joint-major in one of Ancient Greek & Roman Studies , Canadian Studies, Cultural Studies, English Literature, History, Modern Languages, or Philosophy.
Margaret Laurence Scholarship
Named in honour of the late Margaret Laurence, a former chancellor of the University. Awarded for outstanding achievement in the fields of Canadian literature or Canadian Studies.
Essay Prizes and Awards:
Symons Essay Prizes
Established through a gift from T.H.B. Symons, the founding President of Trent University, to recognize excellence in performance in undergraduate courses of the School for the Study of Canada. Annual prizes are awarded for outstanding achievement in first year courses, and outstanding essays in the second, third, and fourth year courses.
Peterborough Historical Atlas Foundation Prize
Awarded to the undergraduate whose essay or project on a Canadian subject is deemed outstanding. An interdisciplinary panel will select the winner from the entries submitted by faculty in appropriate disciplines. Prize award is $400.
Verduyn Book Prize
This prize was established in 1996 by Prof. Christl Verduyn with funds she received for winning the Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1996. It is awarded to the most outstanding student in Canadian Women's Writing.
Alan & Budge Wilson CAST 50th Anniversary Creative Prize
This fund was created in 2023 in honour of Alan and Budge by their good friend Ron Hotchkiss to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Canadian Studies at Trent University and to support creative endeavors by undergraduate and graduate students in Canadian Studies and Canadian Literature.
Canadian Studies International Student Travel Prize:
Awarded annually to an international student with strong academic achievement and a demonstrated interest in the field of Canadian Studies, for travel to a significant heritage site or region of Canada of personal interest.
Undergraduate Fund for the Study of Canada:
Provides funding for Canadian and International undergraduate students who are conducting research to further the study of Canada, travel costs for experiential learning, field trips, capstone courses, research, and participation in conferences anywhere in the world where students are presenting on the study of Canada. Students may apply for funds, as may faculty seeking support for initiatives that aim to provide these kinds of opportunities for students. Applications are generally due by September 30 of a given year.
External Bursary Opportunities:
EXPLORE Canada
Five-Week French-Language Bursary Program. Most expenses covered! Discover another region of Canada while learning French. Enjoy five weeks of learning and adventure, friendship and discovery! (Courses can be sometimes counted for credit at Trent, if a Letter of Permission is obtained from Trent PRIOR to study.
For instructions on how to apply course credits from the Explore Program to your Trent Degree, visit the Department of French at Trent University.
ODYSSEY Canada
Language-Assistant Program to travel, work and learn. Odyssey is a full-time work experience that gives you the opportunity to travel Canada, make a difference in the lives of others, and share your culture.