Understanding the Process

Important: Youth Science Canada does not directly handle scholarship claims. Instead, we provide the university with a list of scholarship recipients, and the university's admissions department manages the actual scholarship application process.

1. Confirm Your Scholarship Details

• Keep your award documentation: Save all materials you received at CWSF, including any scholarship certificates or award letters
• Note any specific requirements: Some scholarships may have additional requirements such as:
  • Minimum admission average
  • Specific program enrollment requirements
  • Application deadlines
  • Residency requirements

2. Contact the University Directly

This is the most important step: Once you've been accepted for admission into a program at the university, contact the university's admissions office directly to inquire about your CWSF scholarship.

What to tell them:

• "I received a [scholarship name] at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in [year]"
• "I understand that Youth Science Canada has provided you with a list of scholarship recipients"
• "I would like to claim my scholarship for the [semester/year] I plan to attend"

Information to have ready:

• Your full name (as it appeared at CWSF)
• The year you won the scholarship
• The exact name of the scholarship you received
• Your student ID or application number (once you have it)

3. Follow Up as Needed

• Each university has different processes and timelines
• Some may automatically apply the scholarship once they see you're on the list
• Others may require additional paperwork or verification
• Don't hesitate to follow up if you don't hear back within a reasonable timeframe

Important Reminders

Youth Science Canada's Role

• We provide the list of scholarship winners to each university annually
• We do not handle individual scholarship claims or applications
• We cannot provide updates on scholarship status or processing

Your Responsibility

• You must contact the university directly - this is not done automatically
• Keep track of any scholarship deadlines or requirements
• Maintain communication with the university's admissions or financial aid office

If You Encounter Issues

• Contact the university's financial aid office if the admissions office cannot help
• Ensure you're speaking with the correct department (some universities have separate scholarship offices)
• If the university cannot locate your scholarship, provide them with:
  • The exact year you attended CWSF
  • The specific scholarship name as announced at the ceremony
  • Your name as it appeared in CWSF materials

University Contact Information

While scholarship processes vary by institution, here are some general contact starting points. Always confirm you're reaching the correct department for scholarship inquiries:

• Admissions Office: Usually handles initial scholarship inquiries
• Financial Aid Office: May manage ongoing scholarship administration
• Student Awards Office: Some universities have dedicated scholarship departments

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When should I contact the university about my scholarship? A: Contact them after you've been accepted into a program at the university but ideally before your intended start date. This gives time to resolve any issues.

Q: What if I'm attending a different university than the one that offered the scholarship? A: CWSF scholarships are typically tied to specific universities. You cannot transfer the scholarship to a different institution.

Q: Can I use my scholarship for any program at the university? A: This depends on the specific scholarship terms. Some are open to any program, while others may be restricted to STEM fields or specific faculties.

Q: What if I'm taking a gap year? A: Contact the university to ask about deferring your scholarship. Policies vary by institution.

Q: The university says they don't have record of my scholarship. What should I do? A: Verify you're contacting the correct institution and department. If issues persist, you may contact Youth Science Canada for confirmation that your information was sent to the university, though we cannot resolve the claim process for you.

Need More Help?

If you have questions about this process that aren't answered here, you can contact Youth Science Canada through our help center. However, remember that for specific scholarship claim issues, the university's admissions or financial aid office is your primary resource.