Invest in student success

• 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. 

Give students a financial boost

• 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.

Recognition & Benefits

• Your name will be included on Seneca’s donor list.
• 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. 

1. Choose Your Award Type

   Annual Award

   Annual awards have a minimum value of $1,000.
   To establish a new annual award, a $5,000 minimum pledge is required. You can make this gift all at once or through yearly or monthly instalments.

   Endowed Award

   Endowed awards support students in perpetuity.
   Creating a new endowed award requires a $25,000 minimum pledge.
   Your donation establishes the endowment principal, which is invested by Seneca. The annual interest funds the award each year.

2. Select Your Funding Method

   Whether you choose an annual award or an endowed award, we will collaborate with you to create a payment schedule that meets your preferences.

   • You will receive a charitable tax receipt for your donation.
   • Seneca employees may fund an award through payroll deductions for $38.50 per pay.

3. Connect With Us

   We'd love to hear about your award ideas and philanthropic goals. To begin the conversation, contact our team.

Award types

• Bursaries are given on the basis of financial need.
• Scholarships are given based on merit or academic excellence.
• Awards are given based on a combination of financial need and academic standing.

Award criteria

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
• equity-deserving group

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.

Awarding process

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.