Choosing to pursue post-secondary education is an investment in your future but figuring out how to pay for it can be an important part of the decision. To help students meet their career goals, Durham College (DC) offers a range of scholarships, bursaries and awards to help make education more accessible. Some are based on academic achievement, while others consider financial need, personal circumstances, community involvement or other factors. And you may be surprised by some of the opportunities available.
Here are five worth knowing about.
Get up to $40,000 toward a career in the trades
Planning to build a career in the skilled trades? The Schulich Builders Scholarship provides financial support to eligible students pursuing select skilled trades programs at DC.
Scholarships are valued at up to $40,000, with $20,000 available per academic year to help cover tuition, living expenses and tools. Applicants should demonstrate a strong work ethic and character, financial need, and a willingness to act as an ambassador for their career choice in the skilled trades and the Schulich Builders program.
Cover your first-semester tuition with a Whitby Fire award
Two awards are available each year to new students accepted into DC’s Firefighter – Pre-Service Education and Training or Fire Prevention and Technology programs. The award covers first-semester tuition and is open to Durham Region residents who graduated from a Durham Region high school, with preference given to Whitby graduates. Applicants must self-identify as a racialized person or be economically challenged.
A bursary could support your studies for up to four years
The bursary helps cover tuition in a student's chosen entry program and continued studies at DC for up to four years. Up to 10 students are awarded the bursary each year, and recipients participate in mentorship programs at the college as a core component of the award.
The bursary is open to eligible full-time students entering their first post-secondary program. Applicants must live in Durham Region, have graduated from a Durham Region high school within the last three years, demonstrate financial need and have overcome obstacles and adversity.
Passionate about food and farming? There’s a $2,500 scholarship available
If you are studying Horticulture Technician or Food and Farming, your interest in sustainable agriculture and local food systems could open the door to additional financial support.
The Barrett Centre Leader in Horticulture and Farming Scholarship provides two $2,500 scholarships to students who are passionate about sustainable agriculture, horticulture, community resilience, food security and strengthening local food systems.
The scholarship also recognizes students who demonstrate leadership or an entrepreneurial spirit and have community volunteer experience related to horticulture and urban farming.
Enter for a chance to win $5,000 toward your DC tuition
There is another way prospective students can put themselves in the running for financial support: enter DC's $5,000 tuition credit draw.
If you are planning to attend a DC program in September 2027, you can join DC's email subscription for a chance to win a $5,000 tuition credit. The subscription provides information about DC programs, events, and services, and gives eligible participants a chance to win the tuition credit draw.
You can also enter by registering for and attending a DC Open House. All registered attendees at the event are automatically entered to win the tuition credit.
There’s more financial aid to explore These are just five of the scholarships, bursaries and awards available at DC. Explore all available optionsto see which ones might be a good fit for you and learn more about eligibility and application requirements.
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