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Fondation Desjardins scholarships
Fondation Desjardins scholarships
The call for applications for 2013 scholarships has ended.
Scholarship recipients will be announced in mid-September 2013.
In 2013, Fondation Desjardins will award more than 480 scholarships and prizes and nearly $1 million to young people.
Thank you to all applicants!
Fondation Desjardins is dedicated to providing financial support to students throughout Quebec and to members of caisses populaires in Ontario who are studying at the secondary (vocational), CEGEP, college or university level.
The Fondation supports studies in all fields, but focuses particularly on finance, cooperation and democracy, as well as fields that relate to Desjardins employment or that favour the economic and community development of regions and large urban centres.
Fondation Desjardins is proud to introduce its 2013 scholarship program and encourages candidates to apply.
Learn more about Fondation Desjardins
Important dates
Application period:
January 31 to March 31, 2013
Important follow-up dates:
- March 31: Application period ends
- April to July: Applications processed and scholarship recipients selected
- September: Results forwarded to all applicants
Eligibility
Conditions
To be eligible for a Fondation Desjardins scholarship, students must be Canadian citizens or have permanent resident status and meet the following basic requirements1:
- have a primary residence in Quebec or Ontario
- be enrolled full-time (except in the cases stated below) in a program of study at a recognized2 educational institution (secondary-, CEGEP- or college-level vocational3 studies, CEGEP, college or university program including research) at the time they receive their scholarship4, in the fall session (disbursement of first half) and the winter session (disbursement of second half) following the application period and be able to prove an average of 60% or the equivalent for the academic results of the previous 2 terms.
- fulfill the criteria for the desired scholarship with regard to level and program of study (see Scholarships available for further details)
- have completed and sent the online form and provided all required documentation before March 31, 2013 at midnight
- for Ontario residents: be member of a Desjardins caisse populaire
Exclusions
The following individuals are not eligible for a Fondation Desjardins scholarship:
- Employees, managers, directors and officers of Fondation Desjardins, and members of their immediate families (brothers, sisters, children, father, mother), legal or de facto spouses or persons with whom they are domiciled
- Members of the Fondation Desjardins scholarship recipient selection committee, members of their immediate families (brothers, sisters, children, father, mother), their legal or de facto spouses or persons with whom they are domiciled
Exceptions
Part-time students: Part-time students who are enrolled for at least 20 course hours per month and have a special status listed below at the time of application are deemed to be full-time students. Such students must indicate in their scholarship application that they are studying part-time and specify their special status. Selected students will be asked to provide supporting documentation attesting their status.
- Special conditions:
- Having a dependent child under age 6
- Being a single parent of a dependent child under age 12
- Having a dependent child under age 21 who is a student with a major functional disability
- Being pregnant
- Suffering from a major functional disability
- Additional scholarships available only to Desjardins employees include different eligibility criteria. Information on these scholarships is available on the Desjardins Employee Portal.
- Quebec residents must be registered in a program of study and educational institution that are recognized by the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec to receive financial assistance. Ontario residents must be enrolled in an institution that is approved for the Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP).
- In Ontario, any program at a college of applied arts and technology.
- Students enrolled in vocational training must be in a program of at least 6 months, and be studying when the payment of October 15, 2013 is received.
Selection criteria and process
Criteria
Candidates will be selected according to the following criteria:
- Financial need and financial situation
- Academic excellence (grades)
- Community involvement (school, cooperative, sports, community, cultural and business activities, etc.).
- Succession and regional development needs (for Special and Other scholarships—see Scholarships available for more details).
Overall evaluation of the candidate
We aim to support students who persevere with their studies despite difficult personal situations and take such situations into account when evaluating candidates. Accordingly, candidates are asked to briefly describe any personal situation that has affected their studies.
Selection process
Selection committees will impartially evaluate each application using a strict and objective process.
To ensure all 17 Desjardins regions are represented, a selection committee has been formed for each region. Applications are assigned to regional committees based on the location of the candidate's Desjardins caisse or home region.
Certain scholarships do not have regional prizes and are exclusively evaluated by a national committee. Regional winners in certain categories will also be automatically eligible for a second selection by the national committee for a possible increase in their scholarship amount.
How to apply
To apply, fill out the online form. First make sure you have on hand all the information you need to fill out your application.
Scholarships available
Nearly $1 million in scholarships will be awarded in 2013 for a variety of programs.
Our scholarship programs reflect the vision and mission of Fondation Desjardins. Fondation Desjardins's scholarships particularly support finance, cooperation and democracy. The Fondation also awards scholarships related to Desjardins employment fields and sectors that help support economic and community development in regions and large urban centres.
Secondary (vocational), CEGEP- and college-level scholarships
The following Fondation Desjardins scholarships are available to secondary-level students pursuing vocational training5 (Diploma of Vocational Studies, Training Certificate for a Semiskilled Trade and Attestation of Vocational Specialization) and CEGEP students in 20136
Desjardins careers
35 scholarships:
- 34 scholarships of $1,000 each at the regional level
- 1 national scholarship of $1,000 specifically for a Desjardins employee
Other fields
- 51 scholarships of $1,000 each at the regional level
- Training is usually provided by vocational training centres associated with secondary education establishments or by recognized schools and institutions. For candidates residing in Ontario, it refers to the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and the Specialist High Skills Major programs (SHSM).
- Academic programs are usually offered by CEGEPs or college-level institutions. For Ontario students, it refers to any program offered by a college of applied arts and technology.
Undergraduate university scholarships
The following Fondation Desjardins scholarships are available for undergraduate university students in 2013
Finance
24 scholarships:
- 17 scholarships of $1,500 each at the regional level
- 5 additional scholarships of $1,500 each to national level7 recipients selected among all regional recipients
- 2 national scholarships7 of $1,500 each specifically for non-citizen permanent residents (landed immigrants)
Cooperation and democratic life
- 2 scholarships of $1,500 each at the national level7.
Desjardins careers
63 scholarships:
- 51 scholarships of $1,500 each at the regional level
- 6 additional scholarships of $1,500 each to national level7 recipients selected among all regional recipients
- 2 national scholarships7 of $1,500 each specifically for non-citizen permanent residents (landed immigrants)
- 4 national scholarships7 of $1,500 each specifically for Desjardins employees
Desjardins Financial Security careers
- 3 scholarships of $1,500 per term with possibility of renewal up to 4 terms, specifically for students of actuarial science8
Other fields
53 scholarships:
- 51 scholarships of $1,500 each at the regional level
- 2 national scholarships7 of $1,500 each specifically for non-citizen permanent residents (landed immigrants)
- National scholarships are scholarships for which all applications for a specific program and level of study are evaluated by a single selection committee, irrespective of their region of origin.
- These scholarships are offered exclusively to students in Quebec educational institutions. Students of actuarial science in an Ontario educational institution may apply for finance program scholarships.
Graduate university scholarships
The following Fondation Desjardins scholarships are available for graduate university students in 2013
Finance
20 scholarships:
- 17 scholarships of $3,000 each at the regional level
- 2 additional scholarships of $3,000 each to national level9 recipients selected among all regional recipients
- 1 national scholarship9 of $3,000 specifically for a non-citizen permanent resident (landed immigrant)
Cooperation and democratic life
- 1 national scholarship9 of $3,000
Desjardins careers
26 scholarships:
- 17 scholarships of $3,000 each at the regional level
- 6 additional scholarships of $3,000 each to national level9 recipients selected among all regional recipients
- 1 national scholarship9 of $3,000 specifically for a non-citizen permanent resident (landed immigrant)
- 2 national scholarships9 of $3,000 specifically for Desjardins employees
Desjardins Financial Security careers
- 1 scholarship of $6,000 for a gerontology/geriatrics student
Other fields
18 scholarships:
- 17 scholarships of $3,000 each at the regional level
- 1 national scholarship9 of $3,000 specifically for a non-citizen permanent resident (landed immigrant)
- National scholarships are scholarships for which all applications for of a specific program and level of study are evaluated by a single selection committee, irrespective of their region of origin.
Post-graduate university scholarships
The following Fondation Desjardins scholarships are available for post-graduate university students in 2013
Finance
- 1 scholarship of $10,000
Cooperation and democratic life
- 1 scholarship of $10,000
Desjardins Financial Security careers
- 1 scholarship of $10,000 for a student in the field of mental health specialized in youth intervention or in organizational psychology
Other fields
- 3 scholarships of $10,000
Scholarships for non-citizen permanent residents (landed immigrants)
Fondation Desjardins offers 9 scholarships specifically to permanent residents (landed immigrants). These scholarships are available to students of finance, Desjardins employment fields, and sectors that help support economic and community development in regions and large urban centres.
These scholarships are offered at the national level10.
Scholarships available
Finance
2 undergraduate scholarships of $1,500 each
1 master's degree scholarship of $3,000
Desjardins careers
2 undergraduate scholarships of $1,500 each
1 master's degree scholarship of $3,000
Other fields
2 undergraduate scholarships of $1,500 each
1 master's degree scholarship of $3,000
- National scholarships are scholarships for which all applications for a specific program and level of study are evaluated by a single selection committee, irrespective of their region of origin.
Actuarial sciences, mental health and gerontology/geriatrics career scholarships
Fondation Desjardins offers 3 scholarship programs to students in specific fields. These scholarships are offered in partnership with Desjardins Financial Security.
Actuarial sciences
- 3 scholarships of $1,500 per term with possibility of renewal up to 4 terms, for undergraduates in actuarial sciences11
Gerontology/Geriatrics
- 1 scholarship of $6,000 for a student of gerontology or geriatrics at the master's level
Mental health
- 1 scholarship of $10,000 for a doctorate-level student in the field of mental health specialized in youth intervention or in organizational psychology
- These scholarships are offered exclusively to students in Quebec educational institutions. Students of actuarial science in an Ontario educational institution may apply for finance program scholarships.
Scholarships offered in partnership
Some university scholarships are offered in partnership with other organizations. Dates and eligibility criteria differ from those of the Fondation scholarships and are posted on the partners' website.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Are there other ways to apply besides filling out the online form?
A. No. Only applications submitted using the online form are accepted. No documents can be sent by mail or fax.
Q. Must transcripts attached to the application form bear the seal of the institution?
A. No. You may send a copy of your most recent transcripts in the following formats: GIF, JPEG, PDF, DOC or DOCX. Make sure that the logo of the institution and your name appear on your transcript. If your application is selected, you may have to provide an official transcript at a later time.
Q. What information must I include in the statement of intent - Justification of your study project?
A. Applies only to graduate and post-graduate students
- Justify your study project based on your experience, past studies, interests and future plans. Explain how they relate to each other, how a Fondation Desjardins scholarship would help you carry out your study project and why the jury should award you a scholarship (maximum 1 page).
Q. What information must I include in the study or research project?
A. Applies only to graduate and post-graduate students
- Based on the academic path you chose (research, professional or other profile), please draw up a personal presentation of the project in the following order: title, objectives, subject, problems, methodology (maximum 1 page). If you are doing an internship, please specify, if possible, the location, plan, objectives and the timeline of your accomplishments.
Q. How do I submit the evaluation form for professors?
A. The evaluation form for professors is available on our website.
- Please have the evaluation form filled out by a professor of your current or past program of study if you are starting a new program. Once the form is completed, the professor must print, sign and scan it. When you are filling out the application form, you will be asked to attach the evaluation form. Make sure that the form is signed by the professor before attaching it to your application.
- Once the evaluation form is filled out by a professor of your current or past program of study if you are starting a new program, he or she must print, sign and scan it and send it by email to bourses.fondationdesjardins@desjardins.com and include your identification number in the subject line. Evaluation forms should preferably be sent by professors.
Professors who do not have access to a scanner must send the form by email from their academic (university) email address and include their contact information in the email signature.
Q. What information must I include in the statement of intent?
A. Applies to vocational, CEGEP, college and undergraduate university students
- Explain your career plans, training goals and the academic path you chose. How would a Fondation Desjardins scholarship help you carry out your study project? Explain why the jury should award you a scholarship. It is an opportunity for you to describe and highlight your strengths. The statement of intent must not exceed 1 page in length.
Q. I am an Ontario student. Do I still have to perform the Quebec government's Aide financière aux études simulation?
A. Yes. All candidates, including Ontario residents, must use the AFE assessment simulator to ensure that financial needs are compared on the same basis. The result of this simulation will be used for weighting purposes by selection committees.
Q. Am I eligible for Fondation Desjardins scholarships?
A. You are eligible for Fondation scholarships if you:
- are a Canadian citizen or have landed immigrant status
- have a primary residence in Quebec or Ontario (for Ontario residents, you must be a member of a Desjardins caisse populaire)
- are enrolled full-time in a program of study at a recognized educational institution (secondary-, CEGEP- or college-level vocational studies, CEGEP, college or undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate university program) at the time you receive your scholarship, in the fall session and the winter session following the application period. Please note that vocational students must be in school on the disbursement date of October 15, 2013, and be undertaking a training course lasting a minimum of 6 months.
- maintained an average of 60% or the equivalent for the academic results of the previous 2 terms
Please refer to the Eligibility criteria section of our website for all the details and exclusions.
Q. I am considered a full-time student according to the AFE although I am a part-time student. Am I still eligible for Fondation Desjardins scholarships?
A. Yes, you are eligible for Fondation Desjardins scholarships if you meet the other Fondation Desjardins eligibility criteria and the AFE eligibility requirements.
Additional information
Get more information about internships available at Desjardins Group and the tax rules that apply to scholarships.
Scholarship recipients
Fondation Desjardins congratulates all scholarship program recipients for 2012
On November 15, 2012, as part of the third Rendez-vous du Savoir, Fondation Desjardins paid tribute to its 34 national scholarship recipients in the presence of caisse representatives and presidents of Quebec universities.
To top off the ceremony and celebrate the achievements and dreams of the scholarship recipients, Marie-Paule Grimaldi read a rhythmic poem written especially for them. Read the poem (in French only, PDF, 28 KB)
Learn more
For information regarding student loans, see Desjardins Group Student Service Centre.
Fondation Desjardins, C.P. 7, succursale Desjardins, Montréal, Québec H5B 1B2
Contact by email
Montreal area: 514-281-7171
Elsewhere in Canada and the U.S.: 1-800-443-8611
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