Maytree Scholarship Program 

What is the Maytree scholarship program?

The Maytree scholarship program is for Protected Persons who were formerly unaccompanied minors. The scholarship is for one year for students enrolling in a full-time undergraduate degree or college diploma program, in any field of study, in an accredited university or community college in Toronto.

What is Maytree’s history advocating for and supporting
Protected Persons in post-secondary education?

In 1999, Maytree launched the Maytree Education Access Program, a scholarship program for Protected Persons because they could not access government student loans. Andrew Brouwer, who is now a Judge of the Federal Court, wrote a policy paper, and our students engaged directly with federal decision-makers in Ottawa and met with a Member of Parliament and a Senator to advance the position that as “Canadians in waiting” they should be able to access student loans.

The legislative change to allow Protected Persons to access student loans was included in the 2003 federal Budget. In 2004 most provincial governments had made the changes in their student loan program to mirror the federal changes.

We continued the program for another 15 years.

We would accept about eight students each year. They met together monthly, did volunteer work together, and kept in close touch with Maytree. The feedback we received was that the financial help was great, but the relationships that they formed and the emotional support that they received was the most meaningful. To learn more about the program, read Making Their Mark: Canada’s Young Refugees.

This year, we are re-launching the program as a pilot for Protected Persons who have come to Canada as unaccompanied minors.

Is this program for you?

Fields of study

Full-time undergraduate degree or college diploma programs, in any field of study, in an accredited university or community college in Toronto.

Value

Dependent on course selection. Awards will cover tuition, books, transportation, and a living allowance. Students who participate in the Maytree Scholarship Program may not accept Canada Student Loans.

Duration

One year (September 2026-May 2027). A mid-year assessment of the student’s academic performance will take place.

Eligibility

The program is open to individuals who:

• are Protected Persons who were formerly unaccompanied minors;
• are between the ages of 18 and 25 years;
• are high-performing high school students who have been accepted to university or community college or are attending an accredited university or community college in Toronto;
• obtained an academic standing of at least 75% (or equivalent) in their final courses in high school if planning to attend university;
• obtained an academic standing of at least 70% (or equivalent) in their final courses in high school if planning to attend community college; and
• obtained an academic standing of at least 70% if currently enrolled in a university or community college.

Selection of candidates

Selection will be based on the following:

• Academic merit
  This will be reflected through an official secondary school/university/community college transcript of course grades to date;
• Financial need;
• Involvement in the community through volunteer service and/or employment is an asset; and
• Personal interview.

Confidentiality and privacy

It is our policy to keep personal information about you private and confidential.

Please submit any questions you may have to scholarships@maytree.com.