By nominating a student, you’re helping ensure more learners can access post-secondary education, strengthen their communities, and contribute to a stronger Canada.
Supporting students who face the greatest challenges helps colleges and institutes thrive, boosts retention and completion, and demonstrates the incredible impact of our sector across the country.
Submit your nominations today and help build stronger futures—for students, their communities, and Canada.
Guidelines
Eligibility
Note: This must be the first time that the student will be attending a post-secondary institution.
- The student is enrolled full time in the first or second year of a multi-year program at a CICan member institution.
- The student must be a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant, permanent resident, or a protected person.
- Students attending colleges or institutes in rural, remote, or northern areas will be given preference for the 10 bursaries of up to $5,000 each.
- Students must contact the registrar office of the college or institute where they are enrolled by Monday, September 22, 2025, in order to express their interest and justify their need for financial support.
Deadline
Institutions must submit an application on behalf of their student by Friday, October 31, 2025.
Application Tips
- Endorsement letter: the endorsement letter presents a great opportunity to highlight the student.
- Application questions: supply data-driven responses when possible, and always keep the focus on the application to help the reviewer understand the key element(s) being highlighted.
- Testimonials: use these three opportunities to provide multiple points of view by requesting a testimonial from both campus and community leaders, and from different levels and/or departments within the campus.
- Student essay: This essay holds weight with reviewers so be specific, be clear, and be bold! Please remember to focus on the following:
- financial need;
- challenges and barriers to attending a college or institute;
- community involvement.
Selection
Each submission will be reviewed by a national committee of regional representatives from CICan member institutions whose positions are directly related to student services: e.g. registrars, academic counsellors, vice-presidents.
Selection Criteria
Bursary application reviews will be based on the demonstration of:
- financial need
- challenges and barriers to attending a college or institute
- impact that the bursary will have on the ability to attend a college or institute
- community involvement
Final Results
Colleges and Institutes Canada will inform the President’s Office of the status of the application by Monday, November 24, 2025. The first bursary disbursement will be done by Monday, December 15, 2025.
If you have any questions about the submission process, please contact Carla de Koning.
Applications Closed
Thank you for your interest in the Paul & Gerri Charette Bursary program. Applications for the 2025–26 academic year are now closed. Stay tuned for the next call for nominations in Fall 2026. For more information, please contact members.membres@cican.org