Awards & Scholarships
The Financial Aid Services Office, within Western's Office of the Registrar, provides students with assistance in planning budgets and managing their financial resources through individual counseling or by contact with a Financial Aid Counselor. Financial Aid Services is also responsible for administering the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), the Ontario Work Study Program, the Ontario Special Bursary Plan, Scholarships, and other forms of assistance, as well as preparing appeals of financial decisions.
In addition to the scholarships and awards offered through the Financial Aid Services Office, there are several scholarships available to Geography and Environment students.
Note: The majority of the awards offered through the Geography and Environment Department require students to take a full load in the current academic year.
Undergraduate Award Winners 2006-Present
Internal Awards:
J.E. (Jim) Kennedy Scholarship in Urban Development
Awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student entering Year 3 of the Honors Specialization in Urban Development module, or the second last year of the combined Honors Specialization in Urban Development/HBA program, who has achieved the highest grade in the “Introduction to Urban Development” Course in Year 2. The recipient will be selected by the Scholarship and Awards Committee led by the Chair of the Department of Geography. This award was established with a generous gift from the London Development Institute in honour of J.E. (Jim) Kennedy, a long-time member and President.
Value $2,000
How to apply? The recipient is selected by the Geography Department based on their Performance in Geography 2460F/G Introduction to Urban Development course.
The Imran Jaffer Memorial Award in Urban Development
Awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student entering Year 3 of the Honors Specialization in Urban Development module, or the second last year of the combined Honors Specialization in Urban Development/HBA program, with a 70% minimum average. Preference will be given to a student who has demonstrated active community leadership or volunteer involvement. Candidates must submit a one-page statement outlining their community leadership and volunteer activities by September 30th to the Department of Geography. The recipient will be selected by a Scholarship and Awards Committee led by the Chair of the Department of Geography. This award was established through the Imran Jaffer Foundation, and the family and friends of Imran Jaffer in celebration of his life, and to recognize a student who shares Imran's qualities, values and interests. The hope is that future students will receive the assistance they require to fulfil their dreams and aspirations.
Value $1,000
How to apply? Candidates must submit a one-page statement outlining their community leadership and volunteer activities by September 30th to the Department of Geography.
The Professor Elaine Bjorklund Scholarship
Awarded to an undergraduate student in Year 2 or higher of the Geography and Environment program in the Faculty of Social Science with a minimum 75% academic average. Preference will be given to international students from Hong Kong or China. Applications can be obtained from the Department of Geography and must be submitted by October 31. Selection of the recipient will be made by the Chair of the Department of Geography and Environment in consultation with both undergraduate and graduate faculty. This scholarship was established by a generous gift from Cecilia Yau in honor of Professor Elaine Bjorklund through Foundation Western.
Value two at $4,500 each
How to apply? Applications can be obtained from the Department of Geography and Environment and must be submitted by October 31.
Dr. William R. Code Scholarship in the Financial Feasibility of Urban Development
Awarded annually to the undergraduate student enrolled in the Urban Development Program (UDP) who achieves the highest final grade in Geography 3464F, the Financial Feasibility of Urban Development. The recipient will be selected by the Chair of the Department of Geography and Environment when the first term grades are available. This scholarship was established through Foundation Western by alumni from the Urban Development Program in honour of Dr. William Code, founder and long-time Director of the UDP at Western who retired in 2006.
Value $2,600
How to apply? The recipient is selected by the Geography Department based on their Performance in Geography 3464F, the Financial Feasibility of Urban Development course.
The Wilhelmina and J. Gordon McIntosh Prize (2nd year)
Awarded on the basis of academic achievement in second year of an Honors Bachelor degree with either an Honors Specialization in Geography and Environment or a double Major including Geography, to a student in third year of the program.
Value up to $600
How to apply? The recipient is selected by the Geography and Environment Department based on their academic record.
External Awards:
Toronto CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Scholarship
All women in undergraduate and graduate level programs whose curriculum focus on proffesions found in the commercial real estate industry are eligible to apply.
Value between $500 - $3,000
How to apply? Online at torontocrew.org by January 31st.
Society of Industrial and Office Realtors Urban Development Project Scholarship
Awarded to the two students receiving the highest marks in the major project of the third-year undergraduate Geography course, Land Use and Development Issues (Geography 3461F/G). This award was established by the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors to support students interested in careers related to real estate and urban development. SIOR will invite recipients to acknowledge receipt of their scholarships at an annual dinner and meeting of SIOR.
Value two at $750 each
How to apply? The recipient will be selected by the Scholarship and Awards Committee in the Faculty of Social Science.
Society of Industrial and Office Realtors Urban Development Award
Awarded to the student receiving an Honors Specialization in Urban Development who graduates from the program with the highest marks at the end of fourth year. The recipient must have maintained a minimum average of at least 75% over the last three years of study. This award was established by the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors. SIOR will invite recipients to acknowledge receipt of their scholarships at an annual dinner and meeting of SIOR.
Value two at $1,000 each
How to apply? The recipient will be selected by the Scholarship and Awards Committee in the Faculty of Social Science.
Student Award for Research into Human Impacts on the Canadian Environment
Awarded to a student in Geography and Environment or Environmental Studies/Sciences for the best paper examining impacts of human activity on Canada's environment. This award was created by the Environment and Resources Study Group of the Canadian Association of Geographers (CAG) and Statistics Canada.
Value $750
The Norman L. Nicholson Memorial Scholarship
The purpose of the award is to recognize and encourage exceptional student achievement and ability in any aspect of cartography. The award shall be made to a student in good standing who is registered full-time in a recognized college or university program. Dr. Nicholson was a professor in the Department of Geography and a member of the Canadian Cartographic Association. He had a long and distinguished career in government and academe, where his interests lay in the history of cartography and Canadian government mapping, in particular the National Atlas of Canada.
Value $500
How to apply? The award is administered by the Canadian Cartographic Association.
The Ken Bovey Bursary
Awarded to a full-time student entering second year or above in an Honors Specialization, Major, or Specialization in Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, or in an Honors Specialization in Geography and Environment (BSc) or a Major in Physical Geography and Environment or a Major in Environment and Health, Department of Geography and Environment , Faculty of Social Science. Selection will be based on demonstrated financial need and a minimum 70% average. Bursary will alternate between the Faculties of Science in even years and Social Science in odd years. Established by friends and family of Ken Bovey, the University's first Recycling Coordinator, and by organizations with a strong interest in the environment.
Value $500
How to apply? Online through the registrar's office
The Morris and Sophia Hornstein Bursaries
Available to students with demonstrated financial need who are entering second, third, and fourth year of an Honors Bachelor degree with either an Honors Specialization in Anthropology, Geography and Environment, Philosophy, Sociology or Political Science or a double Major including any of these subjects. Endowed by their son, Reuben A. Hornstein, Arts '34. (This fund was established through Foundation Western.)
Value two up to $900 each
How to apply? Online through the registrar's office.
