Canadian Hearing Services (CHS) proudly offers scholarships to Deaf and hard of hearing students to help break down financial barriers to participation and support the extra costs associated with accommodations in a higher learning environment.
CHS’ National Scholarship Program, which launched in 2017, is the largest scholarship program in Canada that exclusively supports Deaf and hard of hearing students.
One of the barriers to post-secondary education that Deaf and hard of hearing students experience is incurring extra costs associated with accommodations. Some examples include note takers, interpreters, tutors, personal listening devices and other communication devices. These costs are often not covered by universities and colleges through their own accessibility programs, and thus must be paid by the Deaf and hard of hearing students themselves. This can often be a huge financial barrier to overcome!
Scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students, including mature students attending accredited post-secondary institutions inside or outside of Canada. Students who receive funding remain eligible for the same level of funding for up to four years.
The scholarships are available to Canadian residents who are at least 17 years of age, and Deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing. Scholarship grants of $3,000 for full-time students and $1,000 for part-time students may be applied to cover tuition, residence, and educational resources. The exact number of awards will be dependent on the number and ranking of qualified applicants.
A committee of Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing business leaders and academics review applications from across Canada each year. They choose recipients based on key criteria, including a student essay about how a scholarship would transform their future, financial documents, and academic accommodations.
The financial support and commitment provided by our corporate sponsors and individuals donors to create a barrier-free Canada is life-changing not only for Deaf and hard of hearing students, but for each of us who will benefit from their contributions to society and our economy in the future. These scholarships are truly transformational.
Applicants must:
- Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
- Have documented hearing loss of 50dB or greater, pure tone average, in each ear (50 dB or greater in the left ear AND 50 dB or greater in the right ear);
- Be 17 years of age or older and attending an accredited post-secondary institution in the Fall of 2023 as first-time or returning students.
FIRST-TIME SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS:
Selection is based on the overall assessment of the following application materials:
- Completed and signed scholarship application form;
- Photocopy proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency with date of birth;
- At least one audiogram documenting hearing loss of 50dB or greater, pure tone average, in each ear (50dB or greater in the left ear AND 50dB or greater in the right ear);
- Proof of Fall 2023 registration/acceptance to an accredited post-secondary institution (proof of registration, signed consent form and thank-you video are required before students receive awards in August/September each year);
- Community Involvement checklist, as outlined in Section 2 of the application form;
- Two (2) Reference Forms submitted via email by your references as outlined in Section 3 of the application form;
- Typed 12-pt font, 250-word essay in English or French, or YouTube link or WeTransfer shared link to a 2-minute video in ASL/LSQ, as outlined in Section 4 of the application form.
- Notice of Assessment, as outlined in Section 5;
- An education budget plan or YouTube link or WeTransfer shared link (NO Google Drive shared links) to a 2-minute video in ASL/LSQ, as outlined in Section 5; and,
- Letter of Academic Accommodation related to being Deaf or hard of hearing or Individual Education Plan (IEP), outlining academic accommodations related to being Deaf or hard of hearing, as outlined in Section 6.
First-Time Applicant Application Form
Reference Form
PREVIOUS CHS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:
Each previous CHS scholarship recipient must:
- Have received a Canadian Hearing Services National Scholarship in 2022;
- Be attending a recognized post-secondary institution in the Fall of 2023 and provide proof of Fall 2023 registration;
- Complete a two-minute video stating your name, academic plans, and how the scholarship helped you achieve your goals over the past year. Please provide a YouTube link or WeTransfer shared link (NO Google Drive shared links);
- Complete the Scholarship Impact Survey found HERE.
Previous CHS Scholarship Recipient Application Form
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION IS MAY 26, 2023.
A Canadian Hearing Services committee of educators, industry leaders, staff, and members of the Deaf and hard of hearing community will review qualified applications and select the winners. All winners will be notified in August and recognized across the Canadian Hearing Services community in September. Scholarship awards will be distributed upon receipt of proof of registration, a signed letter of consent, a successful social media background check, and thank-you video. Please note, all awards are taxable income.
DATE OF NOTIFICATION OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES: AUGUST 2023
DATE OF OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES: SEPTEMBER 2023
Thank you for your inquiries. If your question is not listed below, please email submit@chsglobalpartnerships.com.
Q1. I’ve been accepted into my post-secondary program of choice; however, I won’t have proof of registration for my courses until later in the summer. What do I submit as part of my application?
A1. Please include a copy of your acceptance letter with your application. Proof of registration is required before awards are granted to winning applicants.
Q2. What is the criteria to qualify as being Deaf or hard of hearing?
A2. To qualify, we require at least one audiogram documenting hearing loss of 50 dB or greater, pure tone average, in each ear (50 dB or greater in the left ear AND 50 dB or greater in the right ear).
Q3. I am a mature student; how do I complete the community involvement section of the application?
A3. Please add your volunteer and employment details to the appropriate section.
Q4. Should I be sending in letters of reference with my application?
A4. First-time scholarship applicants require two (2) professional references to complete the Reference Form found on this website. Your references must submit the completed form to submit@chsglobalpartnerships.com by the May 26, 2023 deadline. Your application will be considered incomplete if these two Reference Forms are not received.
Q5. Why do I need to submit a Notice of Assessment?
A5. To ensure financial equity, we require new applicants in 2023 to submit their family’s Notice of Assessment (NOA). For high school graduates who are not supporting themselves, they should submit their parent(s)’s NOA. For persons who are supporting themselves such as mature students, they should submit their (and their spouse’s) NOA depending on family structure. All applicants also must declare their family size for tax purposes on the application form. As with all application material, the financial information will be kept confidential.
Q6. How do I make a donation to support student scholarships?
A6. You can designate your gift to support the National Scholarship Program online at www.chs.ca/give-now, or you can call 1-866-518-0000, or mail a cheque to: The Fundraising Dept., Canadian Hearing Services, 271 Spadina Rd, Toronto ON M5R 2V3.
The Annual President’s Scholarship Day of Golf is a charity event in support of Canadian Hearing Services’ National Scholarship Program
All proceeds help to break down financial barriers for Deaf and hard of hearing Canadian students and provide a new generation the opportunity to be educated, employed and empowered.
You can designate your gift to support the National Scholarship Program online at www.chs.ca/give-now, or you can call 1-866-518-0000, or mail a cheque to: The Fundraising Dept., Canadian Hearing Services, 271 Spadina Rd, Toronto ON M5R 2V3.