CSTF Bursaries

About

In honour of notable members of the Canadian Scholarship Trust family, the CST Foundation provides bursaries to students of all ages who are entering post-secondary education for the first time and whose financial needs may make it difficult for them to access post-secondary education. This year, we are offering 7 CSTF Directors’ Bursaries and 18 CSTF Champions’ Bursaries, for a total of 25 bursaries, each worth $6,000. The bursary amounts, eligibility criteria and application processes are the same for both groups. Students who are interested in applying for our bursaries need only to apply once to be considered for both bursaries.

Please note that the bursaries are intended for students who demonstrate financial need, and whose financial need may make it difficult for them to access post-secondary education. The funds can be used to cover the cost of tuition as well as school-related expenses such as books and supplies or living expenses. When making the selection, preference will be given to students who are the first in their family to pursue post-secondary education.

CSTF Directors’ Bursaries

In honour of individuals who have diligently served on CSTF’s Board of Directors, we are pleased to offer seven bursaries to support access to PSE. We are grateful for the service provided by the following former Directors:

CSTF Champions’ Bursaries

The CSTF Champions’ Bursaries were established by Sherry MacDonald, President and CEO of C.S.T. Consultants Inc., to recognize outstanding and inspirational individuals from within the CST family. In 2021, we are offering 18 bursaries in recognition of the following individuals:

Karthiha Guruparan worked at C.S.T. Consultants Inc. as a summer student for 4 years. She was a top student, studying Accounting at the University of Toronto, with the goal of achieving her CMA designation and was to graduate in May 2011. She wanted to become a Chartered Accountant and to serve this country while making a positive impact. Karthiha was well loved, always strived to be the best she could be, and filled her life with joy and meaning. We are proud to honour Karthiha’s thoughtfulness and determination through the CSTF Champions’ Bursaries.

Bill Winsor was a highly successful and engaged CST Consultants Inc. Branch Manager. Bill joined CST in September of 1988 as acting Vice President of Sales until 1989 when he opened his first Sales Branch. This Branch became one of the most successful in the history of CST, leading the company in sales results as well as producing five spin-off Branches. Bill was a very likeable and caring man with a warm personality. People were always attracted to him because of his positive and enthusiastic personality. He was interested in everyone he met and would always take the time to listen. He was very competitive but loved to see others succeed. We are proud to honour his goal-oriented mindset, enthusiasm, entrepreneurship, positivity and team-spirit through the CSTF Champions’ Bursaries.

Jacques Laredo is one of the original CST Consultants Inc. Branch Managers. Since1988 Jacques has helped thousands of families create a better life through education of their children by enrolling them in the CST plan. Jacques believes passionately about CST, its purpose, its mission and what we stand for, helping families achieve their educational goals. Jacques has always had a healthy balance between work and life. As Jacques says Family First! We are proud to honour Jacques’ commitment to education through the CSTF Champions’ Bursaries.

Eligibility criteria

You must:

• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Canada
• demonstrate financial need
• have completed high school level education (or equivalent)
• be accepted to a PSE program at an eligible institution in Canada

Eligible PSE institutions include apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma; college, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma; university certificate or diploma below bachelor level; or a university degree.

Timing

Applications are typically made available in April each year and are due in early May. We endeavor to announce the results by the end of June and distribute the bursaries to post-secondary institutions during the summer. The exact timing for 2021 is as follows:

• Applications open: April 5, 2021
• Applications due: May 7, 2021
• Winners notified: by June 30, 2021
• Bursaries distributed to post-secondary institutions: by early August 2021

Application requirements and process

Applications are submitted through an online application portal. While the specific requirements may change each year, the core components of an application always include:

• Current high school transcript
• Admission decision letter (when available) from an eligible post-secondary institution showing acceptance to the school for the following academic year
• A personal statement about the applicant’s financial need
• One reference letter
• One short essay question

Applications will be evaluated based on financial need and character by an independent selection committee.

For complete details and to apply, please visit https://www.cst.org/en/about-cst/bursaries.