PLEASE NOTE:

This page is in the process of being updated with information for the 2025 Academic Awards application process. During this interim period, some of the resources may be dated for 2024. These will be updated before we begin accepting applications, hopefully by November 22, 2024.

The information below will be helpful for any nurses or nursing students who may be interested in applying this year. While some details may change, the process will be very similar.

Are you eligible?

RNFOO Awards and Scholarships are available to:

• Nurses registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (including nurses registered in graduate level programs)
• Students registered in practical nursing programs approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario
• Students registered in baccalaureate nursing programs accredited by CASN and approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario
• Preference will be given to residents of Ontario
• Applicants must have a Canadian Social Insurance Number

If you meet the criteria above, you should read the following information carefully. The guidelines and links to further documents will tell you how to successfully complete the application process:

• Review the 2025 Guide to Eligibility to ensure that there are scholarships that match your program.
• The on-line portion of the application must be completed by 4 pm EST on Monday, January 27, 2025.
• NEW THIS YEAR: Applicants will upload unofficial transcripts for all relevant programs to their applications. All applicants selected to receive an award will be required to submit official transcripts, which must come directly from the issuing institution or a secure, recognized document management system (eg Parchment, MyCreds, etc).
• All letters of reference must be received in the RNFOO office by 4 pm EST on Monday, January 27, 2025 for your application to be considered. This deadline will not be extended.

Tips for Success

• You can complete your application over multiple online work sessions.
• All components of your application must be in English.
• Register for the  How to Apply webinar session to be held later in December.  This session has valuable information that will strengthen your application.
• Read the description of the application review process that has been developed by the RNFOO Awards & Scholarship Committee.

Instructions

Use the button below or from the Annual Awards page to register and pay the annual, non-refundable application processing fee of $35. Only one fee is required per applicant; this covers all of the awards for which you are applying. Instructions for accessing your application will be sent to you with the confirmation of your payment. (If you don’t receive this, check your junk mail folder.)

Sections of the Application

1. Personal Information:
   Ensure that all information is entered correctly. Note that all required fields must be completed before you can move on to the next section.
   
2. Academic Program Information:
   Provide all details about your current program and other education. The information provided here determines which scholarships you will be able to apply for.
   Applicants must provide documentation proving CURRENT (i.e. in the Winter 2025 term) enrollment in a recognized program.
   Applicants must submit transcripts for their current program of study (which must include grades for Fall 2024 term), and for all previous nursing studies. NEW THIS YEAR: unofficial transcripts can be loaded to your application. HOWEVER, all individuals selected to receive an award will be required to provide official versions of transcripts included on their application in order to receive the award.
   
   Graduate level students who have applied for RNFOO scholarships in previous years may contact the RNFOO office to see if transcripts from previously completed programs are on file.
   
3. References:
   Ensure that you have asked two people to submit reference letters on your behalf. It will help if you give them enough time for this task: begin well before the deadline. Note that letters must be sent to info@rnfoo.org, and must be in our office by Monday, January 22, 2025. You are also asked to provide contact information for your referees on the application.
   RESOURCES:
   Reference Letter Guidelines (be sure to share these with your referees)
   
   
4. Career:
   The statement of your career goals weighs heavily in the scoring of your application.
   Based on feedback from reviewers, this year all applicants must provide a resume.
   RESOURCES:
   Career Statement Tips
   Resume Tips – Practical Nursing
   Resume Tips – Undergraduate
   Resume Tips – Graduate
   
   
5. Selecting Scholarships to Apply for:
   Once you have entered details about your academic program and your status with CNO, you will only see the scholarships that match your program and CNO status. Of the scholarships you can can see, you must determine the ones for which you meet the other criteria (showing commitment to a particular nursing specialty, holding membership in an interest group, etc). 
   You will be required to explain your qualifications for each award that you choose to apply for (50 – 100 words per award). Without this explanation, you will not be considered for the scholarship. Remember that applying for scholarships for which you don’t meet the criteria doesn’t look good.
   
   RESOURCES:
   2025 Academic Scholarships Brochure
   Instructions for Explanations of Qualifications