<General Information<Financial Services, Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards and Prizes<Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards and Prizes<Bursaries and Awards

Ellen Baar Award in Social Science

Donor: Carl Baar

The Ellen Baar Award in Social Science goes to the top student entering their Honours year in the Division of Social Science. The award honours the memory of Professor Ellen Baar, a faculty member in the Division of Social Science from 1971 until her death in 1998. Throughout her career, she participated in and directed team-taught first-year courses that demanded excellence from students; her longest commitment was to the course in Canadian Problems. Her research covered a variety of topics studied from a social organization perspective, most recently environmental regulation. She worked tirelessly to promote equity and fairness in the university. This award is given to a full-time student entering their Honours year of his/her program through the Division of Social Science, Faculty of Arts with the highest grade point average for his/her third-year credits. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, be Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and in financial need.

Tom and Mary Beck Jewish Studies Award

Donor: Tom and Mary Beck

The Tom and Mary Beck Jewish Studies Award is awarded annually on the basis of achievement and financial need, to one or more graduate or undergraduate students enrolled in Jewish studies courses. Candidates must be enrolled in at least one course of those accepted by university diploma or degree programs in Jewish studies. Recipients must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, be Ontario residents and demonstrate financial need. Tom Beck has served on the York Board of Governors and is an industrialist and philanthropist.

Edward A. Beder Memorial Scholarships

Donor: Mr. R. Beder

Two scholarship are awarded annually to Faculty of Arts students--one to a student majoring in economics and the other to a student majoring in political science. Both students must be entering the third or fourth year of their program. Some consideration will be given to financial need.

Father Francesco Bressani Award for Summer Studies in Italy

Donor: Mr. Marco T. Cianfarani

This award will be given annually to a student participating in the Summer in Italy Program through York University. Recipients must have a minimum overall grade point average of 5.0 (C+) and be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, be Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and demonstrate financial need.

The Business and Society Honours Award

The Business and Society Honours Award has been established by the Business and Society program to offer assistance to a fourth-year BUSO honours major. Recipients of the award will be chosen on the basis of a combination of the following three criteria: i) academic achievement (minimum cumulative grade point average of 6.0); ii) financial need; and iii) community involvement.

George and Frances Denzel Award for Excellence in Statistics

Donor: Professor Gene Denzel

Named in honour of Professor Gene Denzel's parents, George and Frances Denzel, this award will be given annually to a fourth-year or graduate-level student, who is judged by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics to be academically deserving. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, be Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and in financial need.

Department of Economics Award

The Department of Economics Award was established to assist an undergraduate student majoring in economics and/or economics and business in the Faculty of Arts who has completed between 30 and 60 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 6.0 (B) or higher. The recipient must be currently registered in a minimum of 18 credits, must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, Ontario resident and must demonstrate financial need.

Department of English Award

The Department of English Award was established to assist an undergraduate student majoring in English in the Faculty of Arts who has completed between 30 and 60 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 6.0 (B) or higher. The recipient must be currently registered in a minimum of 18 credits, must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, Ontario resident and must demonstrate financial need.

Department of English Retirees' Scholarship

The award will be given annually to the top student, ranking based on cumulative grade point average, in the Department of English at the Faculty of Arts, who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and a resident of Ontario, and who demonstrates financial need. Recipients will be enrolled in a major or minor program within the Department of English who have completed at least 21 credits in English, (three and one-half full courses) and will be continuing in the English Department with at least 12 credits remaining to graduate, six of which must be in English.

Department of French Studies Award

The Department of French Studies Award was established to assist an undergraduate student majoring in French studies in the Faculty of Arts who has completed between 30 and 60 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 6.0 (B) or higher. The recipient must be currently registered in a minimum of 18 credits, must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, Ontario resident and must demonstrate financial need.

Department of Languages, Literature and Linguistics Bursary

The Department of Languages, Literature and Linguistics Bursary was established to assist an undergraduate student majoring in German, Italian, linguistics, Russian or Spanish in the Faculty of Arts who has completed between 30 and 60 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 6.0 (B) or higher. The recipient must currently be registered in a minimum of 18 credits, must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, Ontario resident and must demonstrate financial need.

Department of Mathematics and Statistics Award

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics Award was established to assist an undergraduate student majoring in a degree program offered through the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Arts who has completed between 30 and 60 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 6.0 (B) or higher. The recipient must currently be registered in a minimum of 18 credits, must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, Ontario resident and must demonstrate financial need.

Nick Di Lorenzo/Ontario Formwork Association Bursary

To honour one of the founding members of the Ontario Formwork Association, and the association itself, by providing yearly awards to student(s) taking part in the York Summer in Italy Program.

Division of Humanities Award of Achievement

The Division of Humanities Award of Achievement has been established to provide encouragement and financial support to a deserving York University third-year undergraduate student with a declared major in humanities within the Faculty of Arts. This award is renewable for one additional year assuming successful achievement of academic requirements. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and in financial need.

Division of Humanities Retirees' Award

The Division of Humanities Retirees' Award was established to assist an undergraduate student majoring in one of the following degree programs offered through the Division of Humanities, Faculty of Arts: Latin and Caribbean studies; science, technology, culture and society; classical studies; religious studies; East Asian studies; creative writing, humanities or European studies. The recipient must have completed between 30 and 60 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 6.0 (B) or higher, and must be currently registered in a minimum of 18 credits, must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, Ontario resident and must demonstrate financial need.

Division of Social Science Award

The Division of Social Science Award was established to assist an undergraduate student majoring in one of the following degree programs offered through the Division of Social Science, Faculty of Arts: social and political thought; urban studies; African studies; business and society; communication studies; health and society; science and society; labour studies; Latin American and Caribbean studies; law and society; international development studies, or South Asian studies. The recipient must have completed between 30 and 60 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 6.0 (B) or higher. The recipient must be currently registered in a minimum of 18 credits, must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, Ontario resident and must demonstrate financial need.

George Doxey Award in Economics

Donor: Friends of George Doxey

George Doxey was the founding Chair of the Department of Economics and the former master of McLaughlin College. This award is available to students who are majoring in economics or economics and business in the Faculty of Arts. The recipient must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and an Ontario resident as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Both financial need and academic standing will be taken into consideration in the selection process.

Tony Elias Jr., BA, Memorial Award

Donor: Friends and Family of Tony Elias

Named in honour of Tony Elias Jr., a former graduate of York, this award will be given to a student majoring in economics. It will be awarded to a student enrolled in third year and beyond with a minimum cumulative 6.0 (B) average. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and in financial need. A student may only receive this award once.

Judith Eve Gewurtz Memorial Poetry Award

Donor: Margo Gewurtz and family/friends

Awarded for the best poem submitted by a creative writing major who is completing the third year of study (90 credits). The recipient must demonstrate financial need and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and an Ontario resident.

Grace Heggie Award

Donor: Ellen and Richard Hoffmann

Grace Heggie was York's first history bibliographer who, for more than 30 years, built the University history collection, taught students how to use it and published reference tools for research in Canadian history. Awarded to outstanding undergraduate history majors in the Faculty of Arts, selected by the History Department, recipients must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, Ontario residents and demonstrate financial need.

Sylvia Ellen Hersch Memorial Award

Donor: Benjamin Foundation

The Sylvia Ellen Hersch Memorial Award was established in memory of Mr. Seymour Hersch's late wife who graduated from York University with a degree in Creative Writing. The award offers financial assistance to a fourth-year student majoring in Creative Writing with proven talent, achievement and commitment in the area of Creative Writing. Faculty members in the program will nominate fourth-year students (successful completion of at least 84 credits) based on their academic work for the session. The successful nominee must demonstrate financial need.

Linda Herskowitz Award

Donor: Friends, Colleagues and Family of Linda Herskowitz

Linda Herskowitz was a secretary in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics for almost 20 years. Her untimely death was a tremendous loss to both her family and colleagues at the University. This award was established to remember her generous and caring spirit and to support the students she had always worked so hard to assist. This award is available to an undergraduate student majoring in mathematics and/or statistics who has a minimum cumulative grade point average of 6.0 (B) and who demonstrates financial need. Recipients must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and be residents of Ontario as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Preference will be given to a female student.

The International Development Studies Honours Award

The International Development Studies Honours Award has been established by the International Development Studies program to offer assistance to a fourth-year IDS honours major. Recipients of the award will be chosen on the basis of a combination of the following three criteria: i) academic achievement (minimum cumulative grade point average of 6.0); ii) financial need; and iii) community involvement.

Italian Home Bakery Award

Donor: Italian Home Bakery

The Italian Home Bakery is situated and has grown side by side with York University. It is a company that recognizes the important role of the University and strongly supports the University's commitment to a liberal arts education. It has generously made this financial contribution in order to assist students who will participate in the Summer in Italy Program offered by the University. Recipients must have a minimum overall grade point average of 5.0 (C+) and be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and must demonstrate financial need.

Abe Karrass Mathematics Bursary

Donor: Mrs. Abe Karrass

Abe Karrass wanted to be a teacher of mathematics since childhood. He was educated at New York University and Adelphi University. He came to York University in 1968 as a member of the Mathematics Department and has been a valuable and distinguished member since then. This award is a tribute to his love of teaching and his passion for research. It is presented to a student in the Faculty of Arts majoring in mathematics and with an interest in mathematics education. Recipients must be Canadian citizens or permanent resident, residents of Ontario as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and demonstrate financial need.

The Latin American and Caribbean Studies Honours Award

The Latin American and Caribbean Studies Honours Award has been established by the Latin American and Caribbean Studies program to offer assistance to a fourth-year LACS honours major. Recipients of the award will be chosen on the basis of a combination of the following three criteria: i) academic achievement (minimum cumulative grade point average of 6.0); ii) financial need; and iii) community involvement.

Morris Krever History Prize

Donor: Horace and Elliot Krever

Named in honour of Morris Krever, an annual prize (representing the interest earned by a trust fund) will be awarded to an undergraduate history student. Both academic excellence and financial need will be taken into consideration. The winner will be selected by a committee chosen by the Department of History.

Pasquale Manna Italo-Canadian Youth Bursary

The Italo-Canadian Youth Club established this award in honour of one of its members. This award promotes the understanding of the Italian language and culture in Canada. It is for students attending the York Summer in Italy Program.

McCormack Craig Award

Donor: Faculty of the Department of Sociology

This award is named in honour of Thelma McCormack and John G. Craig, two long-serving faculty members of the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts. It will be awarded annually to an Honours sociology major in the Faculty of Arts who is entering his/her fourth year (84 credits or more). Recipients must have achieved a grade point average of 7.0 (B+) or better, be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, be an Ontario resident as defined by OSAP and demonstrate financial need.

The Helen G. McRae Steps to Arts Bursary

Donor: Janet Webber and Mark J. Webber

The Helen G. McRae Steps to Arts Bursary will be given annually to a continuing undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts Steps to Arts Program, who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and a resident of Ontario, and who demonstrates financial need.

A.O. Miller Bursary for Mature Students

Named in memory of a mature student who enrolled at York after retirement as a university administrator and who was one of the founders of the York Association of Mature Students, the A.O. Miller Bursary for Mature Students is awarded annually to a continuing mature student. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative average of 6.0 (B), have completed 24 or more credits as a full-time student and be currently enrolled in a minimum of 18 credits in the Faculty of Arts, preferably in a humanistic discipline. They must also have a demonstrated financial need. The value of the bursary will vary from year to year. The bursary will be awarded in January of each year.

Northview Print and Copy Bursary

Donor: Northview Print and Copy

Northview Print and Copy has been in association with York University since 1987. They have established this award to support undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts who need financial assistance. Recipients must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, be residents of Ontario as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and demonstrate financial need.

Reva Orlicky Memorial and Founding Friends Award

Donor: Michael Fletcher

This award was established by York University alumni and friends to provide a bursary to a deserving York University upper-year mass communications student. Priority will be given to those students who have shown an interest in, or are taking courses in context and condition for radio broadcasting in Canada or affiliate courses. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and in financial need.

The Packer Award in Social Justice

Donor: William and Katherine Packer

The Packer Award in Social Justice will be given annually to a graduate and two undergraduate students in recognition of their exceptional achievement in the area of social justice, while participating in one of the political science courses being taught by the Packer Visitor in Social Justice. Eligible students must demonstrate a superior academic record and have demonstrated a commitment to promoting social justice in the 21st century and beyond (i.e. through academic work and extra-curricular activities). Mr. William and Mrs. Katherine Packer generously donated the Endowment in Social Justice. The recipients of this award must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, residents of Ontario and must demonstrate financial need.

Paul Pellegrini Award

Donor: Paul Pellegrini

The Paul Pellegrini Award has been established by Paul Pellegrini, BA '86 (Honours), to provide an annual award to a deserving third- or fourth-year York University student. After successfully completing his degree with an emphasis in the Public Policy and Administration Program, Mr. Pellegrini founded his own government relations consulting firm. This award is open to all third- or fourth-year students in the Faculty of Arts, with preference given to political science majors focusing on public policy and administration who achieve a minimum 6.0 (B) overall average. The successful applicant must demonstrate financial need, have Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status and be a resident of Ontario as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Willard W. Piepenburg Award

Donor: Ellen and Richard Hoffmann

Willard Piepenburg, who taught for 40 years at the University of Toronto and York University, was the first Tudor-Stuart specialist in York's History Department, served as associate dean in the Faculty of Arts and was the first permanent history graduate program director. This award is given to outstanding undergraduate history majors in the Faculty of Arts, selected by the History Department. Recipients must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and residents of Ontario who demonstrate financial need.

Political Science Award

Donor: Department of Political Science

Faculty members established this award in the Department of Political Science to assist deserving students with the completion of their studies. Recipients must be political science majors in the Faculty of Arts who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, resident of Ontario as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to those applicants who have completed a minimum of 60 credits and achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 6.0 (B).

Mr. Philip Roth Bursary

Donor: Friends and Associates of Mr. Philip Roth

This fund has been established in honour of Mr. Philip Roth by friends and associates to provide a bursary each year for a student studying the humanities or social sciences.

The Rudolph Family Award

Donor: Dr. Ross Rudolph

The Rudolph Family Award will be given annually to the first year student with the highest grade in POLS 1000 who is continuing in the Honours program in Political Science in the Faculty of Arts, and who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, a resident of Ontario, and who demonstrates financial need.

Helen Schrage Award

Donor: Al Schrage

To honour Helen Schrage, her son has established this award. It will go to a continuing female student who demonstrates financial need and who is majoring in a discipline related to language study in the Faculty of Arts.

Senior Anthropologist's Student Award

The Senior Anthropologist's Student Award was established to assist an undergraduate student majoring in anthropology in the Faculty of Arts who has completed between 60 and 90 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 7.0 (B+) or higher. The recipient must be currently registered in a minimum of 18 credits, must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, Ontario resident and must demonstrate financial need.

Sorbara Award in Creative Writing

Donor: Gregory Sorbara

The award is sponsored by Gregory and Kate Sorbara and their six children, all of whom have a strong dedication to the creative arts and music. Gregory Sorbara is a graduate of Glendon College and Osgoode Hall Law School. He was a member of the Ontario Legislature from 1985 to 1995 and is now a partner in The Sorbara Group. This award was established to provide financial assistance to students with proven talent and commitment in the area of creative writing. Recipients must demonstrate financial need, be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and be a resident of Ontario as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Steps to Arts Bursary

This bursary is awarded to first-year students entering the Faculty of Arts through the Steps to Arts Program, which is an access initiative undertaken in cooperation with secondary schools in the Toronto area. The award is based on financial need and is available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents, meeting the Ontario residency requirement as defined by the Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Funds (OSOTF).

Stevenson Scholar in African Studies

Donor: Michael Stevenson

This bursary is for first-year or continuing undergraduate or graduate students pursuing an interest in African studies at York University. Undergraduates would be expected to major in an Interdisciplinary Program in African Studies. Graduate students would be expected to pursue research in some area of African studies. Qualified students should show strong academic qualifications as well as financial need. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

David M. Walker Memorial Award

Donor: Department of French Studies, Faculty of Arts

The David M. Walker Memorial Award will be given annually to the student majoring in French studies, Faculty of Arts, who has obtained the highest grade in AS/FR 1080 6.00 and who demonstrates financial need. The recipient must also be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and Ontario resident. This award has been established in memory of Professor David M. Walker, a long time member of the Department of French Studies in the Faculty of Arts.

John Warkentin Bursary

Professor John Warkentin is among the best known and most widely respected geographers in Canada. This award, named in his honour, is sponsored by the Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts. The recipient shall be selected by the Department of Geography from among students with the highest grade point averages in their first two years of study. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and in financial need.

The John Yolton Bursary

This award was established to honour Professor John Yolton's many contributions to York University and to the wider scholarly community, on the occasion of his retirement from teaching. This annual award will be administered by the director of the undergraduate Program in Philosophy. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and in financial need.