What They're Looking For

  • 💪Disabilities: Vision Loss and Blindness
  • 🎓Study Year: Grade 12 - 1st Year
  • 🌎Citizenship: Canadian or Permanent Resident (Canada)
  • ❤️Volunteer Experience (Not Required)

Additional Notes

In order to be considered eligible for any of the above scholarships, students should have a high degree of motivation and independence, and should be able to demonstrate a reasonable level of personal achievement. Students must be:

  • Blind or partially sighted (less than 20/70 corrected vision)

About Scholarship

All below scholarships have the same application process

The Bernice and Robert Gilbert Fund

One available scholarship of $1,000

The Bernice and Robert Gilbert Fund, held by Vancouver Foundation, was established through the estate of the late Bernice Gilbert. The fund was created to support a bursary for a visually impaired student in a post-secondary institution in B.C.


FJL Woodcock SAPA Scholarships

Several available scholarships of $1,000

Established in 1989, these scholarships were named after Captain Fred Woodcock, a World War II veteran who was blinded in action. They are made possible by the families of veterans who were blinded during combat in World Wars I and II, as well as the Korean War. The families donated generously to encourage blind and partially sighted students to pursue post-secondary education and training.


CNIB General Scholarships

Several available scholarships of $3,000

CNIB Scholarships are awarded to students who are blind or partially sighted and who demonstrate amazing courage, determination and passion in fighting for their independence and future.


The Dr. John and Olive Pyper Scholarship

One available scholarship of $4,000

Dr. John Pyper was an ophthalmologist from Stratford, Ontario, who in 1955 extracted the first two eyes donated to the Eye Bank of Canada, and continued to perform this procedure for decades. In 2014, Dr. John and Olive Pyper’s heirs (represented by Jon Pyper and Andrew Pyper) established an annual scholarship to be given to a student who is blind or partially sighted, living in any one of the counties of Southwestern Ontario; namely Perth, Wellington, Waterloo, Oxford, Middlesex and Huron. The scholarship is designated to assist the recipient with tuition and other related costs while attending a post-secondary program.


The Joyce Family Foundation Scholarship

Four available scholarships of $4,000

The Joyce Family Foundation was created by Canadian entrepreneur Ronald V. Joyce, best known as the legendary Canadian entrepreneur who, in 1964, invested in the first Tim Hortons donut shop in Hamilton, Ontario. Joyce went on to grow the business into one of the most successful food service chains in the world. The Foundation's primary focus is to provide access to education for children and youth with significant financial need or facing other socio-economic barriers to success.


Barney Danson Scholarship

One available scholarship of $5,000

Barney Danson's life was one of service to his country - as soldier, MP, minister of several portfolios in the Pierre Trudeau governments, Consul General in Boston, successful businessman and philanthropist. He did all this without the sight in one eye, which he lost in the war. Recipients of this scholarship have proven their dedication to success, despite their vision loss, through their academic, personal and charitable endeavors.


About Company

Since 1918, CNIB has been dedicated to improving quality of life and driving social inclusion for Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. 

CNIB is a registered charity, passionately providing community-based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life. To learn more, visit cnib.ca or call the toll-free CNIB Helpline at 1-800-563-2642.