• Students must apply using the Online Application found here on the website. The accompanying Application Guide will provide clarifications to all aspects of the application and process.
• The application has a number of required pieces. Ensure that the application is submitted as one email, together with all necessary requirements, to university@raysawards.com.
• If there are any questions, please direct them by email to the Chair of RAYS University Awards Committee at university@raysawards.com.
• We are grateful that your teachers and Guidance Departments have offered support to you in all aspects of the application.
• Applications are assessed by the RAYS University Awards Selection Committee. Their recommendations are presented for approval by the RAYS University Awards Committee and the RAYS Board.
• Students chosen for interviews will be notified in late-May. Successful candidates will be notified in early June.
• Each year a number of community members dedicated to supporting post-secondary education for local youth, commit to fund university awards, both scholarships and awards of merit. The number of awards and the individual value vary from year to year.  A RAYS Scholarship Award has a potential value of up to $20,000, payable over a four-year course of study to a maximum amount of $5,000 per year.  A RAYS Award of Merit has a potential value of $6000, payable over the first two years of university to a maximum of $3000 per year.
• University Award payments are made twice yearly – up to one half the value on or about September 1st and the remainder by December 31st.
• Continued awards are contingent on the recipient meeting certain criteria including academic performance. These criteria are outlined in a letter of agreement signed by each recipient along with a parent or guardian.
• The recipient of a RAYS award may accept other scholarships, bursaries or awards, but must disclose these as part of the award application and interview process.

To qualify for a RAYS University Award, a student must meet all of the following:

• The student must be entering first year at a publicly funded university in Canada.
• The student must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• The student must be currently attending, or have graduated within the last year, from Stayner Collegiate Institute, Collingwood Collegiate Institute, Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School, Centre Dufferin District High School, Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School, ÉS Roméo Dallaire or ÉSC Nouvelle-Alliance.
• The student must have a minimum 75% average, based on Grade 12 U and M courses (Initial evaluation will be conducted on the basis of final Grade 12 marks and second semester mid-term marks, with the latter to be confirmed at the end of the school year).
• The student must reside within the catchment area:  https://raysawards.com/catchment-map/

All applications must include the following:

• A personal essay (approximately 500 words) highlighting important aspects of your journey to high school graduation and your aspirations for university and beyond.
• A RAYS University Award Application with all sections completed including the Educational Funding Form.
• One letter of recommendation from a teacher, principal, or guidance counsellor, with his/her telephone number.
• One letter from an employer, volunteer organization or a character reference (non-family), who has known you for at least two years, with his/her telephone number.
• Proof of academic achievement that includes: the Ontario Student Transcript showing final Grade 12 final marks, and the second semester mid term marks.
• The offer of admission from the university of your first choice.
• An Ontario Student Assistance Plan (“OSAP”) Application and Aid Estimator exactly in the most current format available with no changes made on your part. Financial need is one of the most important criteria for allocating the RAY'S Awards and all of the information submitted to OSAP is required so that we can accurately measure applicant need. OSAP can be found at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program

If OSAP for this year is not available at the application deadline, complete and submit, with your application, the Financial Addendum form at the bottom of this page. 

The successful University Award recipient(s) will be chosen on the basis of the following:

Financial need – this is the most important criteria for the RAYS University Awards. We want to assist students who might otherwise struggle to pursue post-secondary education in the absence of a RAYS award. We assess financial need based upon the information submitted to OSAP and our understanding of the costs of your post-secondary education.

Funding initiative – we expect our award applicants to contribute to the cost of their post-secondary education. Many recipients have been saving for years. Some have support from family. Others are not able to make a contribution as their work earnings have been used to support family expenses. The Educational Funding Form and Work Experience Forms are used to evaluate this criterion.

Academic achievement – our applicants have performed very well in high school. The minimum average in Grade 12 is 75%, considering Grade 12 U and M courses.

School and Community Participation – we look for applicants who have demonstrated the ability to manage the demands of school while making a contribution to their community, either at school or more broadly. Students have the opportunity to tell us about their activities. The School and Community Participation Form is used to evaluate this criterion.

500 Word Essay – RAYS wants to understand, as much as possible, the full context for each student’s situation and aspirations as they impact their desire to attend university. Tell us about yourself and any opportunities for growth and leadership development you have undertaken while at secondary school and how these might connect to your post-secondary aspirations and program choices. We would like to understand the challenges you may face in achieving your aspirations, and any obstacles you may have overcome in the high school years to accomplish your goals. This might include unique family circumstances, the family’s need to pay for your other sibling’s post-secondary education, significant efforts to balance school work against other interests or obligations and the contributions that others may have made to help you get to where you are today.

Your essay should be written in your own words and reflect your personal story. Please don’t use AI tools like ChatGPT or other text generators to write or edit your essay. It’s fine to have someone proofread for grammar, but the ideas and writing should be completely yours.

Interview – members of the University Awards Selection Committee will interview a short list of applicants for the RAYS University Awards. The primary objective of the interview is to learn more about the details provided in the applicant’s submission and assess their maturity and preparedness for post-secondary education.

Applications are to be submitted by the deadline.

Your application is emailed to university@raysawards.com with the Subject Title: RAYS University Awards Application ___________ (your name).

All mandatory components should be included within the one email. Do NOT send several emails with the various components.

The University Awards Selection Committee reviews all applications. A short list of applicants is chosen for interviews. Interviews will be scheduled in late May. Successful applicants will be notified of their conditional scholarship award in June.

The University Awards Selection Committee will, at their sole discretion, verify any information in the successful conditional applications including financial need, other financial support such as scholarships or tuition waivers, and contact references or employers and volunteer organizations.

Final confirmation of awards will come in early July after final transcripts are received and the University Awards Selection Committee has completed any additional due diligence on the conditional recipient application.

• I reside in the catchment area described in this application or have received approval to apply from the University Awards Committee
• I plan on entering my first year of university in September.
• I currently attend Stayner Collegiate, Collingwood Collegiate, Our Lady of the Bay Catholic School, Centre Dufferin District High School, Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School,  ÉS Roméo Dallaire or ÉSC Nouvelle-Alliance.
• I have completed all 6 parts of the application form.
• I have read and re-read, revised and edited my application for spelling and grammar inconsistencies.
• I have scanned, for enclosure, a transcript of marks as directed in the instructions.
• I have enclosed two letters of recommendation as instructed.
• I have enclosed my 500 (minimum) word essay with title.
• I have scanned, for enclosure, the official Offer of Admission for the university of my first choice.
• I have included all pages of the current OSAP Application and Aid Estimator (or the Financial Addendum, if OSAP is not available by the RAYS application deadline).
• I emailed my package by the deadline.
• Email:  university@raysawards.com  with the Subject Heading:  University Awards Application  _____________ (my name)

EMAILED APPLICATION PACKAGE MUST INCLUDE:

1) the completed application

2) 2 letters of reference

3) your essay (with title)

4) the official Offer of Admission from the university of your first choice.

5) all pages of the current OSAP Application Form and Aid Estimator or equivalent if OSAP is not available by the RAYS application deadline.

6) a transcript of marks as directed in the instructions.

Please direct questions to: university@raysawards.com