National Scholarship Program

Supporting education for military family members

Due to the unique circumstances of military life, funds for pursuing post-secondary education are a significant barrier for many Canadian Forces families. The National Scholarship Program works to remove some of those barriers.
 
In 2022, $240,000 was distributed through 98 scholarships to military family members.

The application Portal for the Support Our Troops National Scholarship Program opened on May 1, 2023 at 8 a.m. and closed on July 20, 2023, at 5 p.m. EST

All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and recipients of a Support Our Troops Scholarship will be announced by email at the end of September. Unsuccessful candidates will also be notified during the same period.

Scholarships

A minimum of seventy-five (75) scholarships are available, ranging between $500 and $3500 in value.

Eligibility
  • Dependents (includes spouse) of a serving or former member of the Canadian Armed Forces; including bereaved dependents of CAF members
  • Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
  • Enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or vocational program, at an accredited Canadian college or university, leading to a degree, diploma or certificate.
Instructions for applicants:

Please read the eligibility requirements carefully prior to submitting an application.  This is the first step in the evaluation process in order to ensure you qualify as a candidate.
 
All 2023 scholarship applications must include the following components:
  • Proof of enrollment from an academic institution
  • Most recent academic transcript
  • A reference letter
  • A point form list of volunteer/civic engagement activities
  • A three-part essay (see instructions below)
Instructions for proof of enrollment:

Your proof of enrollment from an academic institution must contain:
  • Institution name
  • Student name
  • Program name and length of program
  • Program start date
Instructions for recent academic transcript:
 
An official or unofficial transcript is acceptable. If taken from an online student portal, your transcript must include your name, date, program and institution name.
 
Applicants are encouraged to submit their most recent academic document for evaluation.

If your transcript is not available at the time of submission, please upload a word document stating that you will send it via email as soon as it is available. Follow-up transcripts should be sent to scholarships@cfmws.com (Subject line: Applicant’s Name – Transcript) and it will be filed accordingly.
 
Instructions for reference letter:

Your reference letter should be written by someone who knows you well and can accurately tell us more about you and why you deserve this scholarship. They can speak to your:
  • Character
  • Volunteer service
  • Academic commitment
If your referee agrees to write you a reference letter, please ask them to write a maximum one-page letter of reference addressed to the Support Our Troops 2023 Scholarship Application Committee and to include their name and current contact information.

*Please note that for the purpose of this scholarship application, your selected referee should not be a family member.

Instructions for civic engagement/volunteerism:
 
Provide a list (in point form) of your civic engagement and volunteer work (paid/unpaid community activities you have participated in) with a short description of each.

Consider including activities such as:
  • Helped with or worked at an event or events
  • Worked/volunteered as a lifeguard
  • Worked as a camp counselor
  • Volunteered or worked at a community organization in any capacity
Tell us about your experiences, even if you are not sure they count. We are looking for well-rounded applicants.
 
Step 2: Instructions for three-part essay:

Please provide an essay that answers each of the following three questions. Each question response should not exceed 150 words, for a total word count of no more than 450 words. All answers must be typed & submitted in a PDF or MS Word or Google Document.

Question 1: Describe how your connection to military life has helped to shape and prepare you for the future. 
Question 2: Discuss your academic and career goals and explain how you plan to achieve them.
Question 3: Please indicate, and then discuss, any challenges you currently encounter or may experience while pursuing your educational goals:

      ___ Special Needs
      ___ An ill or injured family member
      ___ Financial support
      ___ Applicant’s mental health
      ___ Posting / deployment
   

Scoring Rubric:
Essay: Proficient | Adequate | Poor
Question 1: Connection Applicant describes connection to military and how it has helped to shape and prepare them for future
Question 2: Goals Applicant discusses academic and career goals and how they plan to achieve them
Question 3: Challenges Applicant indicates and discusses any challenges they currently encounter or may experience while pursuing their educational goals
Essay structure: Proficient | Adequate | Poor
Writing style, sentence structure and word choice Applicant’s use of sentence structure, control of word choice and writing style
Grammar, spelling and punctuation Applicant’s use of grammar, spelling and punctuation

Best Practices:
  • Read each of the three questions and be sure you understand them before you start writing.
  • Think about what you are going to write and organize your thoughts before you start writing.
  • Use clear, concise and simple language throughout the essay. Write how you speak.
  • Check your spelling and grammar. Spell check is not going to let you know that you spelled ‘form’ instead of ‘from’!
  • Read the three questions again and then read your essay thoroughly to be certain that you have addressed every point.
  • Have someone proofread your writing before you submit it.
 
Accuracy counts! If your information is entered incorrectly during the application process, we may not be able to contact you.
  • Study abroad program: you are eligible to apply for a scholarship provided the study abroad program is included in the course curriculum of your school.
  • If you or a member of your family (parent, guardian, or spouse) is an employee, director, or officer of Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) or its subsidiaries, you are not eligible for a scholarship.
  • Currently serving Canadian Armed Forces members are not eligible, except for Primary Reserve members of Manitoba.

There are also a variety of additional scholarships and bursaries available to serving and former Canadian Armed Forces members and their families that are not administered by Support Our Troops.   
Here are some ideas to help start your search:

  • Local Royal Canadian Legion
  • Local Cadet Organization
  • Trade Associations
  • Many Canadian Universities and Colleges offer scholarships and/or bursaries to military members or dependents pursuing post-secondary education.  Check with the Student Awards Office of your chosen educational institution.
  • Scholarships Canada houses an incredible amount of scholarship information, which becomes accessible by navigating to their website www.scholarshipscanada.com  and creating a free profile.  

We would like to acknowledge the generosity of the educational institutions, government partners and charitable organizations who provide these programs.

Military Family Services Family Programs Coordinator
Email: scholarships@cfmws.com
 

Top