Scholarship Value $1,000

Number of Scholarships 3

Overview

Tamara Gordon (Tammy) is a Canadian born to Jamaican parents who developed exceptional athletic ability in her early school years, particularly in basketball. In 2002 she sustained a severe skiing injury that resulted in paralysis and significant physical impairment, including a brachial plexus injury and subsequent diabetes-related vision problems. Despite these challenges, she continued her education and adapted her goals, ultimately founding a foundation that supports students with permanent physical disabilities. Her story frames the foundation’s mission: to provide financial assistance and encouragement to academically strong students facing permanent physical disability.

Description: A brief biography of Tamara Gordon, highlighting her athletic background, life-changing injury, and continued academic and advocacy pursuits.

• Founder’s lived experience shapes the foundation’s focus on permanent physical disability.
• Emphasis on resilience, education, and community involvement.
• Foundation targets post-secondary students in Ontario with documented physical disabilities.

Eligibility

The scholarship is for Canadian citizens or landed immigrants who have a permanent physical disability and reside in Ontario. Applicants must be entering or enrolled in an Ontario university that is a member of Universities Canada or one of Ontario’s 24 Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology for the upcoming academic year. Eligible candidates include Grade 12 students entering post-secondary studies and current post-secondary students advancing to later years, and they must demonstrate both a strong academic record and financial need. Only applicants who meet all eligibility criteria will be considered.

Eligibility: Citizenship or landed immigrant status, Ontario residency, enrollment in an eligible Ontario post-secondary institution, demonstrable academic merit, and financial need.

• Canadian citizen or landed immigrant with a permanent physical disability.
• Must reside in Ontario and attend an eligible Ontario college or university.
• Open to Grade 12 entrants and continuing post-secondary students advancing to subsequent years.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit documentation that verifies enrollment or acceptance for the specified academic year, academic transcripts or final Grade 12 report cards, and two letters of recommendation (one academic and one character). The application also requires an original one-page, single-spaced personal essay describing the disability, academic and career goals, and reasons for selection, plus a physician’s letter detailing the permanent physical disability (not required for renewals). Additional items include a brief third-person biography of 100 words or less and a passport-size photograph to be emailed to tamaragfoundation@gmail.com, a summary of costs for the academic year, a list of extracurricular activities with dates, and proof of Canadian status for first-time applicants.

Application Requirements: Enrollment/acceptance documentation, transcripts, recommendations, personal essay, physician’s letter (for first-time applicants), and supporting biography/photo and cost/extracurricular summaries.

• Transcripts or final Grade 12 report card and two recommendation letters required.
• One-page essay and physician’s letter (physician’s letter not required for renewals).
• Submit 100-word third-person bio and passport photo by email to tamaragfoundation@gmail.com.

Additional Information

Scholarships are typically presented at the Foundation’s September Awards Ceremony and are submitted directly to the recipient’s college or university. Applicants will be notified of the exact ceremony date and location if selected. All applications must be legible, complete, and received by the Foundation on or before the August due date to be considered; illegible or incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Foundation will contact only those students who meet the eligibility requirements and is committed to supporting successful applicants through awards and ambassador opportunities.

Application Timeline: Awards are presented in September; applications must be received by the Foundation by the August deadline for consideration.

• Annual awards presented at the September ceremony; exact date announced to recipients.
• Applications must be complete, legible, and submitted by the August deadline.
• Only eligible applicants will be selected and contacted; past recipients are encouraged to volunteer if able.