Scholarships

• This program is only open to friends and family of our members
• Students who are not associated with an RTOERO member may not solicit members for sponsorship
• The applicant must be studying in a college or university program that leads to a career that will help older adults in Canada live healthy, active lives, and that aligns with the RTOERO Strategic Plan.
  • This includes fields such as: health sciences; medicine; nursing; personal care; geriatric health care; research into healthy active living for seniors; architects and designers of age-friendly spaces
• Students must be enrolled in their programs at the time of the application deadline
  • i.e. students must be taking part in their program at the time of the application deadline, Jan 9, 2026
  • Students still in high-school at the time of the application deadline are ineligible
• In addition to the completed application, the applicant must provide official Confirmation of Enrollment from their post-secondary institution, in PDF format
  • This must be an official document issued by the college or university’s registrar which demonstrates that the student is enrolled in their program at the time of submitting their application
  • PLEASE NOTE: Letters of acceptance to a program or unofficial documents such as a copy of a timetable, student account or transcript will not suffice
• Students may apply to only one RTOERO scholarship program (Legacy or Inspire) per year
• Students may only receive one RTOERO scholarship in their lifetime
  • Students who have received a scholarship through either program (Legacy and Inspire) are not eligible to apply for the other
• RTOERO members are not themselves eligible to be awarded the scholarship
• Students are to fill out the application themselves, not the RTOERO member

The easiest way to recommend a student is to simply refer them to this page! Students can apply for our scholarships via an online application form (see “apply now” button below), but no actions are required of the sponsoring member.

In their application, students will be asked to list their sponsoring member’s RTOERO membership number and district name/number.

Members who sponsor successful candidates will be contacted in the spring to confirm their sponsorship.

• Applications can be submitted on SurveyMonkey Apply.
  Start your application
• Once logged in, select the Post-Secondary Scholarships to find the application.
• When you begin your application, you will be prompted to complete the “Selection of Application type and Eligibility section”. Please select “Inspire Scholarships” as your application type.
• Submit your application once complete. You can save your progress and return at a later date if you wish. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 9, 2026.

The adjudicating committee have specific criteria they use to evaluate answers to each application question. Students will be asked to answer the following three questions in point form, using no more than 250 words per question:

Question 1: How will your program of study and goals for a future career help achieve our vision of a healthy, active future for older adults in Canada?

Scored out of 24

Criteria:

• Career direction: Applicant has a clear career direction, demonstrated through area of study and career goals, which will have a direct impact on the lives of older adults.
• Identify and provide connection to RTOERO vision: Applicant’s career goals/ambitions are clearly connected with the RTOERO vision of a healthy, active future for older adults in Canada
• Personal commitment to career goals: Applicant states a personal commitment that is focused, specific and founded upon an experience or family connection that stimulated this drive or passion.

Question 2: What has influenced you to pursue this career?

Scored out of 12

Criteria:

• Sense of purpose: Applicant articulates a clear sense of mission or drive to pursue the career and is able to provide evidence of experiences where there is already observable commitment to prepare for the career.
• Personal mentor/experience: Applicant describes how a specific individual and/or life-experience inspired a passion and interest in the chosen career.

Question 3: In addition to your program of study, how have you demonstrated, through contributions to family, school, work, or in the community and/or in your personal life, an alignment with the vision and values laid out in the RTOERO Strategic Plan 2030?

Scored out of 16

Criteria:

• Alignment with RTOERO vision: Applicant describes in detail specific personal actions or behaviours that are clear evidence of personally aligning with the intent to promote a healthy, active future for older adults in Canada.
• Alignment with RTOERO values: Applicant relates life experiences that clearly demonstrate personal commitment and specific actions or beliefs to some of the RTOERO organizational values.

For more information on the RTOERO vision and values, please see the RTOERO Strategic Plan 2030

• The Community Grants and Scholarships Committee will review all applications between January – April and determine top candidates.
• Applicants will be notified of decisions by the last week of April.

For more information contact scholarship@rtoero.ca.

• Applicants must be studying in a post-secondary teacher training program
• This program is only open to friends and family of our members
• Students who are not associated with an RTOERO member may not solicit members for sponsorship
• Students must be enrolled in their programs at the time of the application deadline
  • i.e. students must be taking part in their program at the time of the application deadline, Jan 9, 2026
  • Students still in high-school at the time of the application deadline are ineligible
• In addition to the completed application, the applicant must provide official Confirmation of Enrollment from their post-secondary institution, in PDF format
  • This must be an official document issued by the college or university’s registrar which demonstrates that the student is enrolled in their program at the time of submitting their application
  • PLEASE NOTE: Letters of acceptance to a program or unofficial documents such as a copy of a timetable, student account or transcript will not suffice
• Students may apply to only one RTOERO scholarship program (Legacy or Inspire) per year
• Students may only receive one RTOERO scholarship in their lifetime
  • Students who have received a scholarship through either program (Legacy and Inspire) are not eligible to apply for the other
• RTOERO members are not themselves eligible to be awarded the scholarship
• Students are to fill out the application themselves, not the RTOERO member

The easiest way to recommend a student is to simply refer them to this page! Students can apply for our scholarships via an online application form (see “apply now” button below), but no actions are required of the sponsoring member.

In their application, students will be asked to list their sponsoring member’s RTOERO membership number and district name/number.

Members who sponsor successful candidates will be contacted in the spring to confirm their sponsorship.

• Applications can be submitted on SurveyMonkey Apply.
  Start your application
• Once logged in, select the Post-Secondary Scholarships to find the application.
• When you begin your application, you will be prompted to complete the “Selection of Application type and Eligibility section”. Please select “Legacy Scholarships” as your application type.
• Submit your application once complete. You can save your progress and return at a later date if you wish. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 9, 2026.

The adjudicating committee have specific criteria they use to evaluate answers to each application question. Students will be asked to answer the following three questions in point form, using no more than 250 words per question:

Question 1: Why do you want to become a teacher? Who and/or what has inspired your commitment to education?

Scored out of 16

Criteria:

• Strength and Clarity of Motivation: Clearly and compellingly demonstrates their reason for wanting to become a teacher
• Sense of purpose: Applicant articulates a clear sense of mission or drive to pursue the career and is able to provide evidence of experiences where there is already observable commitment to prepare for the career.
• Personal mentor/experience: Applicant describes how a specific individual and/or life-experience inspired a passion and interest in the chosen career.

Question 2: Describe a time when you made a difference in someone’s life through teaching, mentoring, or volunteering. What did you learn from the experience?

Scored out of 16

Criteria:

• Relevance to Teaching: The example connects to skills, values, or experiences that are relevant to being a future educator. The answer demonstrates qualities that reflect potential as a teacher (e.g. empathy, communication, initiative, adaptability)
• Clarity and Specificity of the Example: Provides a clear, well-structured example with enough detail to understand what happened, what they did, and the outcome
• Reflection and Insight: Shows thoughtful reflection, personal growth and learning from the experience, with insight into self, others and/or the teaching profession

Question 3: How do the RTOERO organizational values align with your views of teaching and learning?

Scored out of 16

Criteria:

• Engagement with RTOERO values: Demonstrates clear understanding and thoughtful engagement with organizational values through relevant and reflective discussion
• Connection to Personal Education Philosophy: Clear and meaningful connection made between organizational values and applicant’s personal views on teaching and learning
• For more information on the RTOERO values, please see the RTOERO Strategic Plan 2030

• The Community Grants and Scholarships Committee will review all applications between January – April and determine top candidates.
• Applicants will be notified of decisions by the last week of April.

For more information contact scholarship@rtoero.ca.