Award Search

This tool lets you view awards, scholarships, prizes and bursaries offered at York University. Take a few moments to search for awards you may be eligible for: you can search by Faculty, award type, activity level or type in the name of an award that you may be familiar with. Unless otherwise stated, all full-time, part-time and mature students are eligible for all the awards in the system so long as they meet the published criteria.

For additional graduate awards, visit the York Financial Assistance section of the Faculty of Graduate Studies website. You can also see a listing of external awards elsewhere on this site.

Note: All awards listed on this website are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Tentanda Via Award

Description
York University's motto, created in the 1950s, of "Tentanda Via: The Way Must Be Tried" represents the timeless notion of pursuit, perseverance, resilience, and innovation. Capturing the enduring spirit of York's motto, the Tentanda Via Award has been created to recognize undergraduate students who: (a) Have had to face significant personal barriers, and who despite these challenges, have persevered and demonstrated fortitude and resilience in overcoming these personal barriers in the pursuit of a university education; or (b) Are student leaders/changemakers who are pushing boundaries by demonstrating commitment to progressive and sustainable development initiatives by making a difference regarding compelling issues of our time (either connected to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs") or other complex issues). To be eligible for renewal, recipients must maintain good academic standing (minimum 6.0 SGPA) and complete a minimum of 24 credits for Fall/Winter. In addition, recipients must provide proof of their continued involvement in their initial projects or proof of active engagement in a voluntary capacity in the York or external community (i.e., peer mentorship, peer support, volunteerism or leadership).
Application Process
Domestic applicants will apply via the online entrance awards application available in MyFile. The application will open each year on December 1; the deadline to apply for consideration for this award is Feb 15. Applicants must select this award on the list provided in MyFile. Applicants must submit a personal statement that specifies the grounds under which they are applying and how they meet the criteria (500 words or less). For applicants applying on the basis of having overcome significant barriers, your personal statement should include the timeframe in which you faced these challenges, the characteristics you embody that helped you overcome these barriers, and what you learned from your experience. For applicants applying under the changemaker/leader category, applicants must describe they have been a changemaker in addressing the compelling issues of our time, especially in progressive and sustainable development initiatives, as set out by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). What have you done in these areas that makes you a changemaker? Your statement should specify the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that is applicable and explain how you have made a difference and pushed boundaries in the SDG identified. Please include the time period and duration in which you were in this role, and describe the impact you’ve made. All applicants (on both grounds) must also submit one supporting document(i.e., reference letter, letter from a third party professional, newspaper articles, award certificates etc.). The personal statement and supporting document must be submitted by email to bursary@yorku.ca and must include applicants name and York reference number. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

How to Interpret the Awards Search Results

1. Offered

The time of year when this award is offered. This gives you an idea about when you'll need to apply for the award. The most common is In-Course (Fall/Winter), indicating that the award happens during the Fall/Winter session.

2. Award Type

The type of award:

  1. Bursaries are based on financial need. Therefore, students with financial need are encouraged to apply.
  2. Scholarships are based on academic merit. Therefore, students with high academic standing are encouraged to apply.
  3. Awards are based on both academic merit and financial need. Therefore, students with high academic standing and financial need are encouraged to apply.

3. Value

The value of this award.

4. No. of Awards

The number of these awards offered each year.

5. Description

Details about the award's origins, purpose, and eligibility requirements. For example, some awards may require a minimum credit enrolment, a certain grade point average (GPA), enrolment in a specific Faculty, or a certain citizenship status.

6. Application Process

This explains how you can be considered for the award. Many of the awards simply require that you fill out the Student Financial Profile (SFP) for the current session. Other awards may, for example, ask for reference letters and personal statements outlining your extra-curricular involvement.