Welcome, and thanks for your interest in learning more about the Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS). As the costs of postsecondary education continue to rise, securing scholarships and bursaries is more important than ever to help offset tuition and living expenses. The OTS is one of the most prestigious and generous government scholarships available in Ontario, providing up to $40,000 to help you achieve your academic dreams.
What is the Ontario Trillium Scholarship?
The Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS) program is the province’s largest and most prestigious entrance scholarship. It was established in 2006 to recognize students who demonstrate excellent academic achievement along with leadership qualities and contributions to their schools and communities.
As the name suggests, the scholarship is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario. Each year, the OTS program provides up to 4,000 scholarships worth up to $40,000 each to incoming university students across the province. This includes $10,000 for each of the first four years of eligible full-time postsecondary study.
OTS recipients are considered Ontario’s top student scholars and leaders. Securing this scholarship allows exceptional students to focus solely on their studies and campus involvement without the financial burden of tuition. It opens up broader postsecondary and career opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the OTS, applicants must meet some basic eligibility criteria:
- Be an Ontario resident as defined by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities at the time of application and maintain residency for the duration of the scholarship.
- Apply directly from high school with no previous postsecondary experience. Scholarship funds can only support undergraduate degrees and cannot be used for graduate or professional programs.
- Intend to enroll in a minimum 2-year undergraduate program at an eligible Ontario university in the fall immediately following high school graduation. Eligible institutions include all publicly-assisted universities in Ontario.
- Achieve one of the following academic requirements:
- Minimum final admission average of 90% (or equivalent) based on six 4U/M courses. For example, if your school calculates averages out of 100%, you would need an average of 90% or higher.
- Stand out as one of the top students in your school with a minimum final admission average of 80% and have a record of exceptional contributions in areas like leadership, community service, arts, science, or sports.
Additionally, an entire application package must be completed and submitted by the annual deadline to be considered. We’ll go into those application details in a later section.
Benefits of Receiving the Scholarship
If selected as an OTS recipient, you will be awarded $10,000 per year of tuition funding for up to 4 years of eligible full-time undergraduate study. Here are some of the key benefits this provides:
- Tuition coverage: The annual $10,000 allotment will directly pay your university tuition costs, taking tuition “off your plate” completely. Any excess funds can be used for other education-related expenses like books, housing, etc.
- Campus involvement: With tuition covered, you have the flexibility to focus on campus extracurriculars, research, internships, and leadership opportunities without financial pressures. This enhances your overall university experience and resume.
- Cohort experience: OTS recipients join an elite network of high-achieving scholar-leaders from across Ontario. You’ll have access to exclusive events and network with donors, university presidents, and business leaders.
- Prestige: Receiving the OTS is a significant achievement that demonstrates exceptional talent, commitment, and leadership potential. It looks great on academic records, resumes, and scholarship/job applications down the road.
- Potential for renewal: As long as you maintain minimum academic requirements, the $10,000 annual award is automatically renewed each year for up to a maximum of 4 years total. No re-application is required.
Clearly, securing an OTS opens up a wealth of benefits and opportunities that make the transition to postsecondary life much more financially secure and fulfilling.
Application Process
Applying for the OTS is competitive, with typically 15,000-20,000 applications received each year for 4,000 annual spots. Your complete application package must be submitted through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) website by the annual deadline in early January.
The application consists of:
- Personal information and academic history
- Résumé of extracurricular activities and leadership experience
- A 300-word letter of intent/personal statement
- Reference letter from a teacher, guidance counselor, or community leader
- Final or midterm grades from grades 11 and 12
- Proof of Ontario residency
A selection committee will conduct a “holistic evaluation” of each application considering several weighted criteria:
- Academic performance (50%)
- Leadership and community involvement (30%)
- Letter of intent (20%)
The goal is to identify students who show not only strong academics but a record of making meaningful impacts outside the classroom as well. Selection committees seek passionate, well-rounded future leaders in their respective fields and communities.
If selected as a recipient, you will be notified in late March/early April following the application deadline. You must then confirm your intent to accept the scholarship by a specified date.
Evaluation Criteria Breakdown
Let’s examine each of the main evaluation criteria in more depth:
Academic Performance (50%)
Your academic performance, as demonstrated by your grades in grade 11 and 12 required courses, carries the most weight at 50% of your total score. This includes:
- Final grades in grade 11 and 12
- Grade point average (GPA)
- Number and level of courses taken
- Grade 12 midterm/final results (if available)
Be sure to take the most challenging course load possible within your school’s constraints to maximize your academic score.
Leadership and Community Involvement (30%)
This criterion evaluates the quality and impact of your extracurricular contributions and goes beyond just listing activities. Some factors considered include:
- Positions of responsibility held (e.g., team captain)
- Depth and duration of involvement
- Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and leadership skills
- Community service, volunteering, or advocacy efforts
- Awards and recognition received
Thoughtfully reflect on your experiences and highlight any positive impacts or outcomes you were able to achieve through your roles and initiatives. Quality is favored over quantity here.
Letter of Intent (20%)
Used to assess your expressed personal and academic goals and motivations, this 300-word letter carries a significant weighting of 20%. It should thoughtfully convey:
- Your intended field of study and future career aspirations
- How receiving the OTS will help you achieve your goals
- Your strengths, traits, and experiences that make you deserving
- Any challenges or barriers you’ve had to overcome
Take care to present yourself as a compelling, focused, and goal-oriented candidate through a well-written personal statement. Have it proofread by teachers for feedback.
Maintaining Your Scholarship
To ensure ongoing funding for up to 4 years total, OTS recipients must fulfill the following annual academic performance requirements:
- Maintain full-time student status as defined by your university
- Achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 80% across all courses each academic year:
- Year 1: Achieve a minimum 80% CGPA upon completion of your first year of study
- Years 2-4: Maintain a minimum 80% CGPA during each subsequent year of study
- Complete at least 3.0 credits during each fall/winter academic session
- Receive no failing grades or incomplete courses
Your university will confirm your annual eligibility and submit documentation to the OTS program. As long as standards are maintained, your $10,000 award will automatically renew for the following year, no re-application is required.
Rigorously focus on your studies throughout your degree and take advantage of university academic support resources if needed. With discipline, the OTS provides a financially worry-free pathway to achieving your postsecondary goals.
FAQs about the Ontario Trillium Scholarship
Now that I’ve covered all the key components of the OTS at length let me conclude by addressing some of the most common questions students have:
1. What university programs are eligible for OTS funding?
OTS funding can be used towards the tuition costs of any undergraduate degree program that is a minimum of 2 academic years in length and takes place at an eligible publicly-assisted Ontario university. This includes most 3- and 4-year Bachelor’s programs across all faculties and disciplines.
2. Can I defer my acceptance of the OTS?
Yes, you have the option to defer your OTS acceptance for up to one year if you wish to take a gap year before starting university. You must inform the OTS program of your intended deferral date. The scholarship funding will remain available as long as you enroll at an eligible Ontario university within one year of high school graduation.
3. What if I don’t maintain the renewal requirements?
If you are unable to meet the ongoing 80% CGPA or minimum course load requirements in any year, you will not be eligible for scholarship renewal. However, you can appeal and may still receive partial funding at the program’s discretion, depending on your individual circumstances. Maintaining academic standing remains the student’s responsibility.
4. Is the OTS compatible with other awards?
Yes, you are allowed to supplement your OTS with other merit-based scholarships without penalty as long as your total awards in a given year do not exceed your tuition fees for that year. Any excess funds beyond tuition can be used for other education costs like books or living expenses.
5. How competitive is acceptance into the OTS?
Entry into the OTS program is highly competitive, with typically 15,000-20,000 applications received annually for only around 4,000 scholarships awarded. Only the most well-rounded candidates with exceptionally strong academic and leadership qualities will be selected. Your entire application package must stand out from the pool of talented applicants.
