ONTARIO COMMAND BURSARY PROGRAM

This program is designed to assist those students who enter a post secondary school of education (including courses and programs of a technical and vocational nature) and pursue the same course throughout their academic years (maximum of five years).

Those who are eligible to receive a bursary are as follows: 

• Ex-Service personnel or currently serving members of The Canadian Forces (Regular, Reserve and Merchant Navy) and their children and grandchildren; Commonwealth War Veterans and their children and grandchildren
• Ordinary and Life members of The Royal Canadian Legion and their children and grandchildren (Current living members)
• Associate members of The Royal Canadian Legion and their children only
• Ladies’ Auxiliary members and their children and grandchildren.
  
• Step Children and Step Grandchildren may be considered where applicable. 
  

Students can apply up to 5 years, provided they are taking the same course of study.

A photocopy of the Veteran’s discharge certificate or record of service must be attached to the application. Service documents can be obtained from Library & Archives Canada in Ottawa. Send a copy only. Proof of relationship is required.

Application forms for the Bursary are available at all Legion Branches, post secondary schools, online from the command website or by contacting Ontario Command. Zones and Districts have a Bursary Chairman who can assist the student with the application.

The Command Bursary Secretary is also available for assistance. As it is the responsibility of each student to complete the application correctly, it behooves him/her to get the required help. All applications may be submitted starting each September; however the deadline for applications is the last Friday of March for the current academic year ending April 30th. Applications must be sent to Ontario Command. Early submissions are strongly encouraged in order to catch any errors or omissions.

The Ontario Command Bursary Program is one of the most generous bursary programs in Ontario (if not in Canada). While the Ontario Command Bursary awards are not large, many students find that they go along way towards buying the books and materials needed for their respective courses. During the 2016-2017 academic year a total of 465 awards were made for an amount of $232,500 in the Province of Ontario. 

The Ontario Command Bursary Program is funded by donations from Branches and Ladies’ Auxiliaries and shows the Royal Canadian Legion’s continuing commitment to the youth of Ontario.