Annual Educational Bursary Program

PROGRAM CLOSED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2023

The RCNBF Bursary Program provides eligible post-secondary students with financial assistance to help cover gaps between the amount of financial support a student needs to attend school and any available government assistance they may receive. The bursary award is a non-repayable, one-time allocation. Applicants must fulfill all the obligations of the application process to be considered.

Who can apply?

The Bursary is intended for students who:

  • are veterans of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), Maritime Command, or Naval Reserve (see definitions below) provided they do not qualify for the Veterans Education and Training Benefit
  • are family members of veterans and serving members of the RCN, Maritime Command, or Naval Reserve (see definitions below)
  • are enrolled in a full-time post-secondary education program (undergraduate/graduate, diploma/certificate programs such as vocational/technical) in a recognized Canadian learning institution
  • have applied for government assistance (i.e., federal or provincial grants, loans)
  • can demonstrate need for financial support for educational purposes

How to apply?

Applicants must submit a duly completed application form (available September 8, 2022) and upload any required documents as per the application checklist before the deadline stated below.

Apply Here

Application checklist

  • Duly completed application form
  • Proof of enrollment/registration in a recognized Canadian learning institution (only Canadian institutions will be considered)
  • Transcripts (most recent)
  • Applicant’s 2021 tax assessment
  • Parents’ or guardian’s 2021 tax assessment (if applicant is living at home, dependent)
  • Spouse or common law partner’s 2021 tax assessment (if applicable)
  • Proof of financial aid/government support or other (applicants must demonstrate that they applied for government support and provide the decision/amount they received); they must declare any other supports received (ex. scholarship)
  • Documented list of assets (ex. RESP)
  • Budget (Student Budget Worksheet)
  • Applicant’s Personal Statement (maximum 300 words)
  • Other financial information the applicant may wish to provide in support of their application
  • Documentation/attestation of disability (if applicable)
  • Resume (optional)

Information must be submitted according to application guidelines.

When to apply?

The application process timeline for the 2022 RCNF Bursary Program.

Bursary application process opensSeptember 8, 2022
Bursary Application process closesOctober 28, 2022, at 5 pm ET
Application adjudicationBy November 17, 2022
Decisions announced to awardees by emailNovember 24, 2022
Decisions posted on WebsiteDecember 1, 2022

Note: the deadline is strictly observed – Late applications will not be considered

What happens if I am awarded a bursary?

Decisions

All decisions by the RCNBF regarding the allocation of bursaries are final. Decisions may not be appealed.

Notification

Successful applicants will be notified by the RCNBF Program Coordinator. Once all required information (see Personal Information below) is received, the RCNBF will transfer the funds to the recipient.  The RCNBF is a national charity and is accountable for the monies it receives and disburses. Therefore, applicants should be advised that decisions regarding bursaries, including the names of recipients, are posted on the RCNBF website, and reported in the RCNBF Annual Report.

Personal Information

When an applicant accepts a bursary award, they are required to:

  • provide their Social Insurance Number (SIN) so that the RCNBF may issue a T4A tax form at year-end
  • provide banking information to facilitate the transfer of funds

Definitions

Naval veteran: for the purposes of RCNBF programs, a naval veteran is anyone who served in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) or Maritime Command, or Naval Reserve who has completed basic training. In addition, members of other branches of the Canadian Armed Forces who served with the RCN (for at least a period of 12 months) are eligible for RCNBF programs.

Family member of a veteran or serving member of the RCN includes:

  • Spouse (divorced or spouses who have re-married will not be considered)
  • Common law partner
  • Widow/widower
  • Child or stepchild or legal ward*

* Child, stepchild or legal ward, aged up to and including age 27

If the child or stepchild or legal ward is disabled, there is no age limit

Stepchild, only if the parents are still married/or common law partners, residing in the same household

Recognized Canadian Learning Institutions:  are those that are listed by the Government of Canada as designated educational institutions eligible for the Canada Student Loans.

See https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/designated-schools.html

For more information:

info@rcnbf.ca

613-519-7741