WELLINGTON COUNTY – For the life of him, Derek Moore can’t quite fathom why applications for bursaries from the Royal Canadian Legion are markedly down this year.
“Generally we get 300 or 400 applications,” said Moore, president of Ontario Command, in an interview.
“This year we have barely 100. So we’re concerned, because we want to give the money away.”
The bursary program is one of the many programs supported by The Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command.
Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command president Derek Moore
(Advertiser file photo)
With the cost of books and other educational items students require for their post-secondary education, who couldn’t use $1,000, Moore wonders.
The program is designed to assist students entering or pursuing post-secondary education, including courses or programs of a technical and vocational nature, outside of and beyond secondary school, and is funded through the Ontario Command Branches and Ladies’ Auxiliaries.
Approved bursary assistance is not based on scholastic standing but rather on the successful admission status to a post secondary institution or successful completion of one or more years leading to a recognized degree, diploma or certificate.
Only those connected to the Legion in the following ways will qualify:
- ex-service personnel or currently serving members of the Canadian Forces (Regular, Reserve and Merchant Navy) and their spouses, children and grandchildren;
- Commonwealth war veterans and their spouses, children and grandchildren;
- ordinary and life members of The Royal Canadian Legion and their spouses, children and grandchildren;
- associate members of The Royal Canadian Legion and their children only;
- Ladies’ Auxiliary members and their children and grandchildren; and
- stepchildren and step grandchildren may be considered where applicable.
Application forms can be obtained from most secondary school guidance offices, college and university financial aid offices, and provincial service bureau offices.
Applications can also be picked up at Legion branches or downloaded from the Ontario Command website.
The program opens each year in September and all applications must be received by Ontario Command prior to the last Friday of March.
The mailing address is found on the bursary application. Applications are not accepted by email or fax.
Funds will be received once students are confirmed to be attending post-secondary education.
Since the 2002-03 academic year, the program has awarded $6,981,825 in bursaries, helping students in Ontario receive the education they need.
Moore said while the amount is $1,000, a student could receive up to $5,000 if they are in a five-year program – $1,000 each year.
For more information, visit www.on.legion.ca.
