Are you a swimmer who wants to be a pro and still earn a degree while at it? Whether it’s freestyle, butterfly, or backstroke, these swimming scholarships in Canada can help you reach your goals.
Swimming has a long and rich history in Canada which dates back to the early 1800. In the early days, it was seen as a recreational activity, but with time, it became a competitive sport and has been since then till date.
Competitive swimming really began to take off in the late 1800s, when Canadian swimmers began competing in events such as the English Channel Swim and the American Swimming Association Championships.
In the early 1900s, swimming clubs were established in major cities across Canada, and national championships were held.
In 1910, the Canadian Amateur Swimming Association was founded, and in 1912, the first Canadian Olympic swimmers competed in the Olympic Games.
Swimming in Canada is more than just a sport. It’s a way of life considering all the vast expanses of water and world-class facilities provided by the state.
Swimming scholarships in Canada began in the mid-1900s, with many universities offering athletic scholarships to talented swimmers.
These scholarships helped many swimmers pursue their dreams of competing at the highest levels, while also receiving an education. In the 1970s, the Canadian government began funding athletic scholarships, and this further expanded the opportunities for swimmers in Canada. Today, there are many different swimming scholarships available in Canada, both at the university level and through private organizations.
Apart from Swimming scholarships in Canada, Canada also provides MBA scholarships to students who are interested in business studies.
It may come as a surprise, but there are also many unclaimed scholarships in Canada for residents to get.
Even international students get scholarship opportunities in Canada, as there are medical scholarships for them too.
The value of a swimming scholarship in Canada depends on the type of scholarship that you get.
For instance, If you get a fully funded swimming scholarship then the fund will cover the entire cost of your tuition and study materials for the duration of your degree program at the university.
However, if you get a partially-funded swimming scholarship it will pay some of your scholarship for an academic year and you will have to cover the remainder.
For the sake of clarity, swimming scholarships in Canada may range from $500 to fully funded.
Swimming Scholarships in Canada
As I mentioned earlier, swimming scholarships in Canada are offered by swimming associations, universities, swimming organizations, and donations from the public. Below are these scholarships:
- SFU Swim Endowments
- The University of Toronto Varsity Blues Swimming Scholarships
- The University of Calgary Swimming Award
- Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship
- Character Athletes Awards
- SFU Athletic General Endowments
- McGill University Athletic Awards
1. SFU Swim Endowments
Simon Fraser University (SFU) one of the top Canadian universities is offering high school seniors who want to swim at college level to apply at one of the top universities in the world and be placed on a scholarship.
However, you must meet the requirements I mentioned above, demonstrating excellent academic performance, high standards of leadership, and athletic ability.
2. The University of Toronto Varsity Blues Swimming Scholarships
Here is another chance to earn a reputable degree from a world-class institution and never worry about tuition for the entire duration of your undergraduate studies.
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues Swimming Scholarships offers 19 scholarships annually to incoming students with an 80% grade 12 mark who were swimmers in their former school and want to join the swimming team at U of T.
To be eligible for the scholarship in subsequent years, students must have at least a 70% average. The maximum scholarship value is $4,000.
3. The University of Calgary Swimming Award
International and domestic students can win the University of Calgary Swimming Award provided they meet the 80% required GPA for new students or 65% for transfer students. Current students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the previous fall and winter sessions as full-time students at the University of Calgary.
It is an internal scholarship and is offered every year.
4. Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is offered by the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) in memory of Brian Maxwell, a former distance runner, wrestler, basketball guard, and entrepreneur. The scholarship is awarded annually to three male and three female student-athletes who want to further their education at a Canadian college or university.
You can also apply for this scholarship if you are on a swimming team or want to join a swimming varsity team. The scholarship recipients are selected by coaches. The value of the scholarship is $5,000 for each winner. It is offered annually and the application deadline may vary.
5. Character Athletes Awards
Character Athletes Awards is offered by OFSAA to two male and two female student-athletes who embody the values of leadership, commitment, equity, respect, and sportsmanship of OFSAA. You can apply for this award if you are competing in an individual or team high school sport.
The award is offered annually and winners will receive a $500 grant, a profile in the OFSAA Bulletin magazine, a website, and a seasonal e-newsletter. Only teacher-coach must nominate winners, applications from students will not be reviewed.
6. SFU Athletic General Endowments
The Athletic General Endowments from SFU provides athletic scholarships to student-athletes competing across all sports at SFU which also include swimmers. So, swimmers at SFU who need a scholarship can apply for one through this endowment.
The requirements include leadership qualities and outstanding academic performance.
7. McGill University Athletic Awards
McGill University provides athletic awards to sponsor the education of student-athletes competing in all sports at the university. Whether you are entering or enrolled in an undergraduate program you can apply for this scholarship as long as you meet the specified athletic criteria.
Conclusion
Swimming scholarships in Canada are a valuable way to combine a love of the sport with a quality education. With the right combination of skill and commitment, the sky’s the limit for you!