Every year, Desjardins teams up with its partners to award scholarships to students in our communities. Thanks to these scholarships, thousands of young people just like you get a helping hand to cover tuition, rent, groceries, transportation and other expenses related to their post-secondary studies.
Different criteria for different scholarships
Although most of our scholarship programs are aimed at students ages 30 and under who are registered for a vocational, college or university program, not all scholarships have age limits.
What’s more, different scholarships have different selection criteria. And in many cases, scholarship winners are chosen by random draw.
The next call for applications is happening in March, and we want to make sure you have all the tools you need to make your application stand out!
1. It's not just about grades
A strong academic record can help you get into a competitive program, but it won’t necessarily sway the jury. For example, Desjardins Foundation scholarships “celebrate students who stand out in ways that have nothing to do with grades. Their experiences, perseverance and social involvement are much more important,” states Andréanne Tremblay, a senior advisor at the Foundation.
That means you should focus on your interests, strengths and what you bring to your community. Are you an athlete? Have you done any volunteering or started a business? These are the types of extracurriculars that could draw attention to your application.
2. Be yourself
Even if you’re planning on applying for multiple scholarships, you only need to fill out one form, which you’ll find on the Desjardins scholarship application platform External link.. Since your answers could open a number of doors for you, be sure to showcase your personality and talk about what makes you unique!
“Be yourself. We want to get to know the person behind the application.”
3. Don't leave anything out
To make your application stand out, you need to know what the Desjardins Foundation jury is looking for. Even if our criteria doesn’t apply to all programs, reading through each item should help give you some ideas and ensure you don’t forget anything.
Talk about your financial situation
What are your main school-related expenses? Do you get any financial support from your parents? Do you have a job? What do you spend the most money on, or what feels too expensive to you? In other words, tell us how a scholarship would help you and how you plan on using it.
Tell us about your commitments
There are 2 ways to approach this.
1. Tell us how you help make your community a better place. For example, talk about the student associations you belong to or volunteer work you’ve done.
2. If you feel comfortable with the idea, consider writing about how you’re still in school despite challenges you may be facing, whether related to a learning disability, trouble at home, health issues, etc.
Talk about yourself
Jury members want to get to know your personality. What are you passionate about? What do you like to do outside of school? Is there a sport, activity or hobby you couldn’t live without?
Explain what makes you unique
Use the additional information section of the application to make your application shine. What makes you different? Do you have a way with words? Are you extremely driven to achieve your dream career? Do you have a specific goal in mind?
4. Make us want to know more
Our jury members assess thousands of applications every year. Think of how you can make yours memorable. Every application will be reviewed by real live humans—no algorithms will be involved. Like you, these people are drawn to stories and backgrounds that surprise them, tug at their heart strings or make them laugh. What story will you tell?
5. Put some care into your application
Even if you’re not trying to get into Harvard, you should still take the time to review what you’ve written, fix any typos or grammar mistakes and clarify your thoughts. That way, anyone who reads your application will be able to focus on what matters most.
Pro tip: You can save your application and come back to it later. With fresh eyes, you’ll be in a better position to put finishing touches on your application, fix mistakes you wouldn’t have caught otherwise and make it truly great!
PSST! Since the application period runs every year from March 1 to 31, we highly recommend creating a profile External link. on the Desjardins scholarship application platform. Once you do, you’ll get an email to remind you about the application window every year!
Visit the platform External link. to learn more.
We can’t wait to read your application!