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Student Awards Program

At Ridgetown Campus, we understand that post-secondary education is a large financial commitment.

Ridgetown Campus is proudly a part of the Ontario Agricultural College, which offers a significant range of scholarships, bursaries and travel grants. More than $100,000 in financial assistance and awards are distributed each year to our students to help offset educational costs. Learn more about OAC Scholarships & Other Awards and use the Associate Diploma Award Search to see what awards are available to Ridgetown Campus Students.

Awards Application Form- Deadline: October 7th, 2025

Needs Assessment Form- Deadline: October 7th, 2025

 

Entrance Scholarship Program

  • Established to recognize the academic achievements of incoming students entering their first semester of post-secondary studies, for the first time
  • These $2,000 scholarships are awarded based on the admission average of students entering one of the following programs:
    • Associate Diploma in Agriculture (Regular & Co-op)
    • Associate Diploma in Environmental Technician (Regular & Co-op)
    • Associate Diploma in Horticulture (Regular & Co-op)
  • All eligible domestic and international students are automatically considered; no application is required
  • Admission averages awarded are dependent on the candidate pool and the number of awards available for distribution.
  • The scholarship is divided into two equal installments and is applied as a payment to the recipient’s student account in the fall and winter semesters
  • Full-time registration in the fall and winter semesters is required to receive both installments of the scholarship
  • Recipients will be notified by letter and/or email, prior to the start of the fall semester, if they have been selected to receive this entrance scholarship

Fall Awards Program

  • Includes Entrance Awards, In-Course Awards, and Academic Proficiency Awards
  • Selection criteria can be based on different factors, including volunteer work, campus extracurricular and community involvement, academic achievement, and future plans
  • The application period is from the end of August to October 7 each year
  • Distributed at the Fall Awards Banquet in mid-November
  • Approximately $45,000 in awards are available

Winter Semester Awarded Bursaries

  • Based on financial need as determined by:

    1. A completed, error-free Full-Time OSAP application
    2. The submission of a Needs Assessment Form (NAF) which is supplied by the Financial Aid Office on campus
  • Awarded in the winter semester (usually mid-to-late February) and are put onto a student's account to help with any outstanding costs.
  • In the event a student's account is already paid in full, the funds are then deposited into the student's bank account through a direct deposit process
  • The application period is the same as the Fall Awards Program, from the end of August to October 7 each year
  • Approximately $100,000 in bursary funding is available

Travel Grants

  • Students can apply for travel grants to help offset the cost of experiential learning opportunities that are related to their program of study
  • Examples of travel grant-funded opportunities include:
    • For-Credit Experiential Learning Courses
    • Industry-Related Conferences or Seminars
    • Leadership Development Conferences (ex.OAC Leadership Conference)
  • Various application deadlines  are throughout the academic year, based on when the travel opportunity is happening 
  • Travel grants are applied to through the Travel Grant Application Form 

Convocation Awards Program

  • Available to students that are eligible to graduate 
  • Selection criteria can be based on different factors, including campus extracurricular and community involvement, academic proficiency, and career plans
  • Distributed at the Convocation ceremony in early June
  • The application period is from March to April 1 each year
  • Approximately $40,000 in awards are available

Types of Awards Available

  • Selection criteria can be based on a combination of factors: academic performance, leadership skills, extracurricular involvement, volunteerism, and community involvement
  • Financial need is not a factor in the selection process
  • May have a minimum cumulative average requirement
  • A letter of application may be required

  • Selection criteria can be based on a combination of factors: academic performance, leadership skills, extracurricular involvement, volunteerism, and community involvement
  • Financial need is a factor in the selection process and applicants will be required to submit a Needs Assessment Form (NAF) with their application. The NAF will be sent to all students by the Student Financial Aid & Awards Counsellor
  • May have a minimum cumulative average requirement
  • A letter of application may be required

Financial Needs-Based Bursaries

  • Selection criteria are based on financial need as demonstrated through an evaluation of a current, full-time Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) application
  • Must submit a Needs Assessment Form (NAF) that is sent out by the Student Financial Aid & Awards Counsellor
  • You must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada to be considered
  • A letter of application may be required for some bursaries

  • Must be a first-year student to apply
  • Selection criteria can be based on a combination of factors: admission average, leadership abilities, community involvement, and/or extracurricular involvement
  • A letter of application may be required for some entrance awards/scholarships

  • Completion of a minimum of two semesters or have completed the specified credit count in the terms of the award
  • Selection criteria can be based on a combination of factors: academic proficiency, leadership skill development, extracurricular involvement, volunteerism, and community involvement
  • A letter of application may be required