The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary

These awards will be granted to students who are:

• Full-time Undergraduate students entering Year One of any program in any faculty
• Canadian Citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons
• Resident in Northern Ontario and have graduated from a Northern Ontario high school within the last three years
• In the greatest financial need and have overcome obstacles and adversity

3 awards, valued at up to $5000 each over eight academic terms, will be awarded annually to deserving undergraduate students entering Year One of any program, in any Faculty. To be considered, students must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a protected person as well as a resident of Ontario who have graduated from a Northern Ontario high school within the last three years.

Preference will be given to students from the region of Northern Ontario. Selection will be based on a combination of demonstrated financial need, as determined by Nipissing University, as well as a reference letter from an individual who is aware of the student’s personal circumstances and can speak to their resilience in the face of adversity and potential for success in their post-secondary studies. For clarity, this bursary program is for students who face significant social and/or financial barriers and have demonstrated the ability to overcome obstacles and adversity.

Important
Selected students must commit to working with a mentor throughout their undergraduate studies. An application is required by May 1st. This fund is made possible by a generous donation from The Joyce Family Foundation, which is committed to providing access to education for youth who face significant financial barriers and have demonstrated the ability to overcome obstacles and adversity.

Award
$5,000.00
Deadline
05/03/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. What high school did you graduate from?
  2. Please list the address of your above-mentioned high school, including town/city and postal code.
  3. Did you grow up in Northern Ontario?
  4. Describe the personal challenges or adversities you have faced (social and/or financial) and explain how these experiences have shaped your resilience, motivation, and readiness for post‑secondary studies.
  5. Reflect on your connection to Northern Ontario and discuss how your experiences in your community have influenced your character, aspirations, and commitment to succeeding in university, including your willingness to work with a mentor throughout your degree.
  6. As a condition of receiving the Joyce Family Foundation Bursary, successful applicants must commit to participating in a mentorship experience each year of their academic program. This mentorship must occur in an extracurricular activity and is intended to support student growth, connection, and success beyond the classroom. Nipissing University will provide recipients with information and contact details for on-campus mentorship opportunities in September of the year they begin their program. Students who wish to pursue a mentorship opportunity off-campus may do so; however, these opportunities must be approved by the Student Awards Coordinator by October 1st of their first year. To remain eligible for renewal of the bursary, recipients are required to submit an annual report outlining their mentorship involvement. This report must be submitted each year by March 1st.
  7. Please list the name and email of an individual who is not related to you, and who is aware of your personal circumstances and can speak to your resilience in the face of adversity and potential for success in your post-secondary studies.
  8. Show 2 more