• Help students pay for tuition and other expenses.
• Let students know that you care about their future.
• Recognize hard work and motivate students to complete their studies and begin meaningful careers. 

• In early 2019, the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) was cut by $671 million.
• The parental income threshold at which students would be eligible for OSAP grants was lowered.
• Analysts agree that those benefiting the least from these policy changes are low- and middle-income students.

• Two out of three full-time students require needs-based government grants to fund their studies.
• One in four who leave Seneca before completing their program cite financial difficulties as the primary factor.
• One in 10 students expects to work more than 20 hours per week to make ends meet.

• Your name will be included in the RED magazine donor list, distributed to more than 90,000 alumni and friends.
• Your award will be listed on the awards website.
• You will receive a thank you letter from your student recipient, when possible.

• You will pick the award name and establish the criteria to your preference.
• You will receive a charitable tax receipt for your donation. 
  
• You will be invited to attend the Seneca Award Reception.

You can fund an award at Seneca on an annual basis or through an endowment:

Annual awards have a minimum value of $1,000. If you wish to establish a new annual award, there is a $5,000 minimum pledge commitment. This can be paid at one time or through instalments.

An endowment supports your award in perpetuity. To establish a new endowed award, there is a $25,000 minimum pledge commitment.

Your donation establishes the award endowment principal invested by Seneca. The annual interest payout is used to fund the award value.

Whether you are creating an Annual Award or Endowed Award, we will work with you on your preferred payment schedule.

You will receive a charitable tax receipt for your donation.

Seneca employees can fund their award for $38.50 per pay through payroll deductions.

To share your award ideas and philanthropic interests, contact us

• Bursaries are given on the basis of financial need.
• Scholarships are given to recognize student academic excellence.
• Awards are given based on a combination of financial need and academic standing.
• Entrance scholarships are granted to students coming to Seneca from high school. Grades from the final year of high school determine the selection.
  

Establishing an award allows you to select your preferred award criteria. You can choose to include any combination of the following:

• specific program, school, or faculty
• GPA requirement
• financial need
• extracurricular activities
  
• qualities related to academics such as class participation

Broader criteria provide a wide range of applicants. We will help you establish criteria that align with your objectives. 

Seneca follows the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s policy on scholarships and awards when establishing award criteria.

Seneca has an annual award cycle.

Seneca's Financial Aid office oversees the selection and distribution of awards. Students apply for the awards in fall and receive their funds in February or March. 

Faculty recommendations are taken into consideration when required. Donors are not involved in the application or selection of award recipients.