Introduction
The Tim Hortons Foundation Scholarship program is one of the largest and most generous need-based scholarship programs in Canada. Every year, thousands of students across the country apply for this scholarship with the goal of furthering their education.
The Tim Hortons Foundation has been awarding scholarships to deserving Canadian youth since 1974. Over the past four and a half decades, they have provided millions of dollars in financial support to students across Canada. Their goal is to help break down barriers that can prevent access to post-secondary education. If you have dreams of continuing your studies but finances are a concern, the Tim Hortons Scholarship may be able to help make those dreams a reality.
In this blog post, we will cover the following topics in depth:
- Eligibility requirements for the Tim Hortons Scholarship
- The application process and requirements
- Assessment criteria and how recipients are selected
- Scholarship amounts and terms of the awards
- Important application deadlines
- Experiences of Past Scholarship Recipients
- Frequently asked questions
By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of what this prestigious scholarship offers and how to put your best foot forward in the application. My aim is to provide all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether or not to apply. Let’s get started!
Eligibility Requirements
One of the first things to understand is whether or not you meet the basic eligibility criteria for the Tim Hortons Scholarship. Here are the main requirements to qualify:
- Canadian citizenship or permanent residency: You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada. International students are not eligible.
- High school graduation: You must have graduated from a Canadian high school within the last two years or be graduating in the current year. Mature students (those who have been out of high school for two or more years) are also eligible.
- Financial need: This is a need-based scholarship, so your financial situation and need for financial aid will be considered. Applicants must come from modest financial backgrounds.
- Post-secondary acceptance: You must have applied to and been accepted at a publicly funded, recognized Canadian college or university to pursue your first undergraduate degree or diploma on a full-time basis.
- Academic achievement: A minimum grade average of 75% from the last year of your high school studies is generally required, though exceptions can be made in some cases.
- Community involvement: Active involvement in your community through volunteer work or extracurricular activities is an asset and will strengthen your application.
Provided you meet these basic criteria, you can start thinking about preparing a competitive application for the Tim Hortons Scholarship. The next step is understanding what the application process entails.
The Application Process
Applying for the Tim Hortons Scholarship is done completely online through the Foundation’s website at https://www.timhortons.ca/foundation. Here is a brief overview of the application process:
- Create an account: First, you need to create a profile and account on the Foundation’s website. This involves filling out some basic information.
- Fill out the application form: The online form will ask you to provide details about your education history, extracurricular involvement, financial need, academic achievements, and career goals.
- Upload supporting documents: You will need to upload transcripts, letters of reference, proof of acceptance to a post-secondary program, and records of community involvement.
- Complete supplemental information: This involves filling out additional short answer questions about leadership, challenges you’ve overcome, and how the scholarship could help you.
- Submit references: You will need to provide contact information for two people to submit confidential reference letters on your behalf.
- Meet deadlines: The application and all supporting documents must be fully submitted before the deadline, which is generally in early March each year for the upcoming fall term.
It is an extensive application, but taking time to fully complete each section is important to share your full story. Be sure to draft and revise your responses well before deadline day.
Assessment Criteria
A selection committee evaluates each application based on a scoring rubric. Here are the main criteria considered:
Financial Need (30% of score) – Your family’s gross annual income and expenses are assessed based on CRA notices of assessment and other documentation. A $50,000 household income cap generally applies.
Academic Achievement (25%) – Your high school grades, particularly from your last year, are reviewed along with any academic awards or special programs.
Community Involvement (20%) – Details of the extent and impact of your volunteer activities are scored based on reference letters and your involvement descriptions.
Career Goals and Aspirations (15%) – Assessed through your goal statements and the alignment of your program choice with your future plans.
Leadership (5%) – Examples of leadership roles through volunteer work, jobs, or extracurricular activities.
Overcoming Challenges (5%) – Explanation of any life challenges you have faced and overcome, which could include health, family circumstances or other obstacles.
Applicants who score highest based on these categories will be selected as scholarship recipients. Not every qualifying applicant can be awarded due to limited funds each year. Strong and compelling applications are key.
Scholarship Amounts
The Tim Hortons Foundation awards scholarships at three different levels depending on assessment scoring:
- Tims Honour Roll Scholarship – $2,500: Awarded to the top scoring applicants in each province/territory. These awards recognize overall academic and community achievement.
- Tims Community Leadership Scholarship – $1,500: Presented to high-achieving applicants who demonstrate community involvement and leadership qualities.
- Tims Community Involvement Scholarship – $1,000: Granted to applicants showing commitment through volunteer work or other community participation.
All scholarships are paid directly to your post-secondary institution in two disbursements – one per academic year or semester. However, they do not cover full costs and are meant to alleviate some of the financial burden.
Scholarships are awarded annually, so you need to apply each year. Recipients maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA can typically receive it for up to four years of their undergraduate degree program.
Important Timelines
The scholarship application typically follows this annual timeline:
- September – December: Scholarship information sessions are held across Canada to promote the program.
- January – Early March: Online applications are accepted through the Foundation’s website.
- Mid-April: All applicants are notified by email whether their application was successful.
- Late April – May: Scholarship recipients are formally recognized at local Tim Hortons restaurant celebrations.
- August – September: Funds are disbursed to recipients’ post-secondary institutions for the upcoming fall term.
It’s important to meet the early March deadline to be considered for awards given the following fall term. Late or incomplete applications cannot be reviewed. Plan accordingly and apply early if pursuing this opportunity.
Experiences of Past Recipients
Hearing directly from past scholarship recipients can help provide perspective on the impact and rewards of the program. Here are insights from a few thankful Tim Hortons scholars:
“Receiving this scholarship took so much financial pressure off pursuing my dreams of becoming a teacher. I’m now in my third year of studies thanks to their continued support.” – Catherine, studying Education at the University of Alberta
“Growing up in a single-parent home, affording post-secondary wasn’t realistic without assistance. This scholarship has changed my life by allowing me to focus fully on my studies in nursing and give back through volunteering.” – Malik, studying Nursing at Cégep de Jonquière
“As the first in my family to attend university, I was worried about how to pay for it. Winning the Tim Hortons scholarship gave me the encouragement and means to take that next step. I’m now hoping to give back to my community as an accountant.” – Priya, studying Accounting at Ryerson University
These inspiring stories highlight how impactful the Tim Hortons Foundation program has been in helping deserving students overcome financial barriers to pursue their career aspirations. For many applicants, it has been life-changing.
FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Tim Hortons Scholarship:
1. Can I apply if attend college instead of university?
Yes, the scholarship can be used at any publicly funded college or university in Canada for a full-time undergraduate degree or diploma program. Both college and university students are encouraged to apply.
2. What if I need the funding for more than one year?
Renewing recipients who maintain at least a 3.0 GPA can typically receive the scholarship annually for up to 4 consecutive years of their program. However, you need to complete a renewal application each year for consideration.
3. Do extracurriculars need to be through high school?
No, volunteer and community involvement activities you participate in outside of high school can also be included. For mature students especially, experiences gained after graduating high school are perfectly acceptable to include in your application.
4. How important is financial need for my application?
Financial need is one of the most heavily weighted criteria, accounting for 30% of your total score. It’s important to fully disclose your family income situation and expenses to demonstrate a genuine need for financial assistance. Scholarship funds aim to help those facing true barriers to access.
5. What are my chances of being selected?
Selection is very competitive as over $3 million in scholarships are awarded annually, but there are thousands of applicants. Generally, only about 15-20% of applicants are successful. Having a strong package with high grades, leadership experience, community involvement, and clear financial need improves your chances, but awards are never guaranteed. Starting early is wise.
