Our Bursary and Scholarship Program

The Promise of a Brighter Future

The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton (CCASH) Bursary and Scholarship Program aims to alleviate financial barriers, providing service recipients opportunities for higher education and skill development. Together, with the support of our community and generous donors, we aspire to open doors, create possibilities, and pave the way for a brighter future.

If you would like to contribute to a bursary, you can donate by mail, phone, or online.

Mail a cheque to:

Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton
735 King Street East
Hamilton, ON L8M 1A1

Attention: Development Department

Phone: 905-525-2012 ext. 3139

Donate online and in the drop-down menu under ‘I would like my donation to support’ select ‘Education-related Needs and Bursaries’.

2025/26 Bursary & Scholarships Applications Now Open!

Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

2025 Bursary & Scholarship Program

Funding Available

There are three funding streams available through CCASH in 2025. Please review Guidelines below for details:

What/Who is Funded

Funding is available to support and enhance the life outcomes of individuals served by CCASH.

Individuals served, include:

Current and former wards
Kin families
Parents and children currently receiving service
Children of families that provide foster homes (up to 1 bursary per year).

Activities for which funding can be requested include:

Ongoing education and skills training
Employment outcomes and possibilities (specialized equipment purchase, computer and electronic purchase, ongoing training)

Please note: Disbursement of funds will be directed toward tuition at your selected post-secondary institution or distributed as a reimbursement for supplies (ie: books, laptop, etc.) with proof of purchase. You can discuss the disbursement of funds further with your worker.

Bursary Scholarship Application Form 2025

"*" indicates required fields

Name*

First Name Last Name

Email address*

Phone*

Address*

Street Address City Province Postal Code

Date of birth*

Month

Day

Year

Current school (if applicable)

Current grade / year level (if applicable)

If you are currently attending high school, please indicate which high school you are attending.

Have you accepted an offer to a post-secondary institution for the upcoming academic year? If yes, which one?*

Please answer yes or no and provide details.

Program of study (if applicable)

Nature of your involvement with the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton (CCASH).*

For example, current/former Crown Ward, parent in a family currently receiving services, child in a family currently receiving services, etc.

Name of your current or most recent worker*

Which CCASH staff member has been your most recent contact?

Indicate which of the following financial supports you are applying for. You can choose more than one.*

Bursaries support a wide range of life-enhancing activities. Scholarships are specifically for post-secondary education and training. Read the guidelines carefully for each program to understand if you and your activities are eligible for support.

Youth and Family Opportunity Bursary

Sazio Family Scholarship Fund

DiNardo Family Scholarship Fund

Do you identify as a member of a marginalized or racialized group?

i.e. African Canadian, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+ etc.

What is the life-enhancing activity or post-secondary educational / training program you plan to undertake, with financial support?*

i.e. college or university program, trade school, job training etc.

How will the above-noted activity enhance your life? If you are applying for a Scholarship, tell us how it will impact your long-term objectives. Be as specific as you can.*

For example, if you are going to school, tell us what you plan to study, why doing this matters to you, how it will help you to achieve your goals and long-term goals, and any other information that would help us understand the impact a bursary or scholarship will have.

Tell us about any related achievements.*

For example, if you are seeking funds to help you upgrade your work skills, tell us about your work history and achievements.

Tell us about any involvement you have in the community, both in and out of school.*

Please elaborate on any involvement that relates to the activity for which you are applying for financial support.

Tell us about a time when you set and achieved a goal for yourself.*

Do you have other sources of income to assist you in undertaking this program?*

If so, please indicate the amount, duration and the source of the funds.

Please share with us why you deserve to receive the Bursary / Scholarship.*

If you are successful in receiving financial support, we will print a 100-word bio about you in the Awards Program. Please provide a bio here.*

By submitting this information, you confirm that...*

I have read the guidelines for the funding program(s) to which I am applying. The information I have provided in this application is correct to the best of my knowledge.

I understand that submitting a video or note of thanks to donors is a mandatory requirement for all bursary and scholarship recipients, and that the biography provided in my application will be included in the event’s program.

If selected as a bursary or scholarship recipient, I grant permission to the CCASH to pay expenses to a third party on my behalf for life enhancing activities. Alternatively, I understand that proof of purchase must be supplied to access funds related to the purchase of equipment, books, etc. (where applicable).

Re-enter your name by way of a signature*

Dated: 03/06/2025

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Bursary & Scholarships

These are the various bursary and scholarships that are available to CCASH service recipients, and their families:

Youth & Family Opportunity Bursaries (annual): Supports youth and families, who are receiving services from the agency, to help them achieve their life’s goals. Made possible through our dedicated donors and friends.
The Sazio Family Scholarship (annual): Supports current or former CCASH service recipients who are pursuing post-secondary education and/or training. This is a renewable scholarship for up to 4 years, made possible through the generosity of the Sazio family.
The DiNardo Family Scholarship (bi-annual): Supports current or former CCASH service recipients who are pursuing post-secondary education and/or training, made possible through the generosity of the DiNardo Family.

If you are interested in sponsoring a bursary or creating a scholarship, please contact: 905-525-2012 x 3150

Questions?

For any questions or assistance with your application, contact Deb Emberson at [email protected]

Testimonials

Hear from our 2024 Bursary & Scholarship recipients on how they benefitted from this financial support.