Easter Seals Ontario has proudly supported over 300 students with physical disabilities achieve their academic goals since 1996 through our Scholarship Program, totaling over $600,000!
Amount: range $500-$5,000
Number Available: range 10-20 each year
Deadline: Friday, April 17, 2025
Criteria
- have a permanent physical disability that impacts their mobility;
- be a current or past client of Easter Seals Ontario, or are able to provide a letter confirming diagnosis from a health care professional;
- have applied or been accepted to an accredited university or college and will be attending full-time or part-time (classes taken in person, virtually, or a combination are acceptable);
- and be a resident of Ontario
How to Apply
The application can be found on the Easter Seals Ontario website. You will need to access the online application. By using the application, you apply for the following multiple scholarships
Easter Seals Ontario Board of Directors Scholarship
Scholarship established in 2019 by the Board of Directors to help young adults who have been supported by Easter Seals Ontario with the cost of post-secondary education. Eligibility: Must be a current or past Easter Seals Ontario client who has made a significant contribution to their community. Value: $1,350
Hodglynn Holsteins Scholarship
Established in 2022. Eligibility: To support a student with a physical disability who is pursuing post-secondary education, with preference to a student pursuing studies leading to a career in science or healthcare. Value: $1,000
Connie O’Connor Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2022 in memory of a former Camp Merrywood camper. Eligibility: To support students with a physical disability who are pursuing post-secondary education at a college or university. Value: $1,000
Easter Seals Ontario Scholarships
These scholarships were established in 2020 to assist current and former clients who have been supported by Easter Seals Ontario with the cost of post-secondary education. Eligibility: Current or past Easter Seals Ontario client and has been an active volunteer in their community. Five scholarships are available. Value: $1,000
Hira Post Graduate Scholarship
Jay and Jayshri Hira established the Hira Post Graduate Scholarship in 2013 in memory of their parents, the Late Reva Hira and Ravjee Hira. Eligibility: Preference to a post-graduate student who serves as a model and inspiration for others. Value: $5,000
Hira Scholarships
Jay and Jayshri Hira established the Hira Scholarship Fund in 2013 in memory of their parents, the Late Reva Hira and Ravjee Hira. Eligibility: Preference to a student who serves as a model and inspiration for others. Two scholarships are available. Value: $2,500 each
John Domenic Caggiula Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2020 in recognition of the life and community contributions of John Domenic Caggiula. Eligibility: Preference to applicants studying for a career in the skilled trades. Value: $500
Kevin and Christy Kelly Scholarship
This scholarship is to support a student whose area of study includes Finance or Business. Value: $500
Sal Iacono Family Bursary Endowment Fund
Supporting students with physical disabilities since 2009. Eligibility: Must be attending, or planning to attend, Algonquin College. Two scholarships are available. Value: $1,500
Truelove Dell Scholarship Fund
The Truelove Dell Scholarship Fund was established in 2000 by Dr Paul Truelove, Past President of the Board of Easter Seals Ontario, and Sarah Dell, 1999 Provincial Easter Seals Ambassador. Eligibility: Must live in the Greater Toronto Area (Peel, York, Durham, and Toronto) and have had significant community involvement. Value: $1,250
Ursula Carsen Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2021 in honour of Ursula Carsen’s grandchildren and is to support a student with a physical disability who is pursuing a post-secondary education. Eligibility: To support a student with a physical disability who is pursuing a post-secondary education at a college or university. Value: $500
Erica Vanclief Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2023 in memory of a cherished Easter Seals Ontario staff member and friend. Learn more about Erica Vanclief. Eligibility: To support a student starting post-secondary education at a college or university who can clearly demonstrate that they have been identified as a “cheerleader” for those facing challenges and/or who has made a positive impact in their community. Value: $1,000
Vigneswaran Scholarship
To support a student from a racialized group/community who is starting post-secondary education at a college or university. Eligibility: Preference to a student from a racialized group/community. Value: $1,000
Karen, Mark, and Quinn Smith Scholarship
To support students with physical disabilities in attending post-secondary schooling. Eligibility: Preference to students pursuing studies in Human Resources or Business Administration. Value: $500. For additional information, view the Easter Seal Scholarship webpage
Notes:
- Applicants do not have to be current or past clients of Easter Seals Ontario, but must have a permanent physical disability that impacts their mobility. Proof of physical disability/diagnosis from a healthcare professional must be uploaded as part of the application process.
- Answers to questions 24, 25, 26, and 27 will be graded by members of the Easter Seals Ontario Scholarship Selection Committee using a scoring system. Please ensure that you answer the questions fully, providing as much detail (or examples) as possible.
- Some scholarships have specific criteria that must be met and/or demonstrated as part of the application process.
- Applicants may apply for multiple scholarships if they meet the general and/or specific criteria for any scholarship offered.
- The Easter Seals Ontario Scholarship Selection Committee reserves the right to offer alternate scholarships based on the number of applications received and the criteria met.
- At time of posting, we continue to await confirmation of several possible scholarships from donors. Should additional scholarships become available prior to the application deadline, the Scholarship Selection Committee reserves the right to allocate scholarships to successful applicants who meet the criteria (whether general or specific such as area of study/specific post-secondary university or college).
Selection Process
- All applicants will be notified once final decisions are made by mid-May, early June.
- All applicants will be notified once final decisions are made.
- Once an award letter has been sent, applicants must respond to confirm their acceptance of the scholarship
- Acceptance by the recipient indicates your permission for Easter Seals Ontario to (possibly) share your photo and approved profile on our website, social media, and Annual Report.
- Scholarship payments are conditional on Easter Seals Ontario receiving:
- Satisfactory evidence that the recipient has been accepted to an accredited university or college (as indicated on the scholarship application).
- A thank you letter from the recipient to the donor by August 1, 2025, as an acknowledgement and recognition of the scholarship.
- Easter Seals Ontario scholarship funds must be applied for tuition in the 2025/2026 academic year; any requests for deferral of funds must be submitted in writing and approved by an Easter Seals Ontario administrator or designate.
- Annual General Meeting (AGM): All successful recipients will be invited to attend the Easter Seals Ontario AGM in June 2025, in person or virtually, to acknowledge receipt of their scholarship(s). This is entirely voluntary, and recognition can be done in person or by written statement.