Scholarship Value $5,000

Number of Scholarships 30

Description The Bill 7 Award Trust provides post‑secondary scholarships to 2SLGBTQI+ students in Ontario who demonstrate financial need. It supports students pursuing their first post‑secondary credential—degree, diploma, or certificate—at any Ontario college, university, or institute. The Award aims to reduce financial barriers so recipients can complete their studies and contribute to their communities.

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Key takeaways:

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• Scholarships for 2SLGBTQI+ students with demonstrated financial need.
• Supports first post‑secondary programs (degree, diploma, certificate).
• Applies to accredited post‑secondary institutions across Ontario.

History of the Award The Trust was established in 1987 and is named for Ontario’s 1986 Bill 7, which extended Human Rights Code protections to lesbians and gays. Six community groups—predominantly women-led—founded the Trust to create a community-driven scholarship fund. Those founding groups were the U of T Women’s Centre, the Lesbian and Gay Community Appeal (now Community One Foundation), Lesbians of Colour, The Black Women’s Collective, Zami, and the Toronto Counselling Centre for Lesbians and Gays.

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Key takeaways:

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• Founded in 1987; named after 1986 Bill 7 human rights legislation.
• Initiated by six community groups focused on 2SLGBTQI+ support.
• Origin rooted in community activism and rights-based advocacy.

Eligibility Applicants must meet all stated criteria to receive a Bill 7 Award. Candidates should demonstrate financial need and must have already accessed available public financial supports. In addition, applicants must be attending or accepted to an Ontario post‑secondary institution, be pursuing their first post‑secondary program, and identify as 2 Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer (2SLGBTQI+).

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Key takeaways:

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• Demonstrated financial need, after applying for public supports (e.g., OSAP).
• Must be attending/accepted to an Ontario post‑secondary institution.
• Must be enrolled in a first post‑secondary program and identify as 2SLGBTQI+.

Award Value Since its founding, the Trust has distributed more than $500,000 in scholarships to over 175 students. Scholarship availability and value depend on annual fundraising and donor support. For the current award cycle, donors have enabled the Trust to offer 30+ scholarships of $5,000 each.

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Key takeaways:

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• Historically: $500,000+ awarded to 175+ recipients.
• Current cycle: 30+ scholarships at $5,000 each.
• Annual award amounts vary based on donations and fundraising success.

Application Timeline (2026) The Trust follows an annual schedule for applications, notifications, and the awards ceremony. For 2026, the application form becomes available on April 30, successful recipients will be notified in late September, and the awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026. Applicants should plan to submit materials promptly and monitor communications for selection updates.

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Key takeaways:

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• 2026 application opens: April 30, 2026.
• Recipients notified: Late September 2026.
• Awards ceremony: November 2, 2026.

How to Apply Applications require a completed form plus several supporting documents submitted in PDF (preferred) or .docx. Required attachments include an OSAP estimate or other provincial support estimate, proof of registration or acceptance from an Ontario post‑secondary institution, one professional reference letter, and a personal statement of 250 words or fewer explaining why you should receive the Award. If selected, recipients must provide proof of active enrolment before payment will be issued.

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Key takeaways:

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• Submit application form with PDFs (preferred) or .docx attachments.
• Required documents: OSAP/provincial support estimate, proof of registration/acceptance, reference letter, 250‑word personal statement.
• Payment contingent on providing proof of active enrolment if selected.

Trustees and Funding The Trust is governed by trustees appointed by its partner organizations, Supporting Our Youth (SOY) and the Community One Foundation, successors to the original founding groups. All scholarship funds are raised through donations; the Trust actively solicits donor support to grow both the number and value of awards. Governance and fundraising decisions together determine annual funding capacity and award distribution.

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Key takeaways:

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• Trustees appointed by Supporting Our Youth and Community One Foundation.
• Funding is entirely donation‑based; awards depend on annual fundraising.
• Governance and donor support guide award quantities and values.