Devine Family Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by University of Guelph

Description
This is an access-focused undergraduate scholarship established in honour of the Devine Family and Mr. Peter J. Devine to support students with demonstrated financial need. The award is intended to cover up to four consecutive years of study for successful recipients; it is renewed for years two through four provided ongoing eligibility is met. Offers are confirmed in May and funds are disbursed in the fall once the recipient is registered. The scholarship is administered in partnership with the Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS).

Key takeaways:
- Access-focused undergraduate scholarship for financial need.
- Renewable annually for up to four consecutive years.
- Offers made in May; funds paid in the fall once registered.
- Administered with OTSS support.

Eligibility
Eligibility is based on a combination of identity and academic achievement plus compliance with OTSS rules. Applicants must be entering any University of Guelph undergraduate degree program with a minimum admission average of 80%. Eligible identity groups include Indigenous students (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), students with disabilities, and racialized persons; preference is given to Black Canadian applicants. All recipients must also satisfy the Ontario government’s OTSS eligibility terms.

Key takeaways:
- Minimum 80% admission average required.
- Eligible groups: Indigenous; persons with disabilities; racialized persons (preference to Black Canadians).
- Must meet OTSS government-mandated terms.

Award value and disbursement
The scholarship provides significant multi-year funding to support undergraduate study. Up to two awards are available, each valued at $50,000 total and payable over four years (up to $12,500 per year, subject to university disbursement schedule). Funds are issued in the fall semester once recipients are registered and remain contingent on meeting renewal conditions. Exact annual payment amount follows the university’s financial award disbursement policy.

Key takeaways:
- Up to 2 awards of $50,000 each (total, payable over 4 years).
- Annual disbursement occurs in the fall after registration.
- Payments contingent on continued eligibility and renewal requirements.

Application process and timeline
Applicants must complete the university’s entrance financial-need assessment and the specific Devine Family Scholarship application. Complete the online Entrance Financial Need Assessment Form (E.N.A.F.) as soon as you receive the Admission Services acknowledgement email (this is sent automatically after you submit your university application), then submit the Devine Family Scholarship Application. Scholarship offers are made in May; ensure both forms are submitted before the university’s deadlines to be considered.

Key takeaways:
- Complete ENAF immediately after admission acknowledgement.
- Submit the Devine Family Scholarship Application in addition to ENAF.
- Offers announced in May; meet university deadlines to be considered.

Renewal conditions and academic/registration requirements
Renewal for years two through four requires continued demonstrated financial need and full-time registration status. Recipients must be registered in a minimum of 2.0 credits each semester to qualify as full-time for the purposes of this award. If a recipient fails to maintain the financial-need criteria or the required course load, the scholarship may not be renewed for subsequent years.

Key takeaways:
- Renewal dependent on continued financial need and registration status.
- Minimum enrollment requirement: 2.0 credits per semester.
- Loss of need or insufficient credits can terminate renewal.

Compatibility and restrictions
This scholarship cannot be held concurrently with certain named awards but may be combined with most other entrance awards. Specifically, it is not tenable with the President’s Scholarships or the Lincoln Alexander Chancellor’s Scholarships. It can, however, be held together with other entrance awards the student may receive, subject to university policies and OTSS rules.

Key takeaways:
- Not tenable with President’s Scholarships or Lincoln Alexander Chancellor’s Scholarships.
- Can be combined with other entrance awards (subject to policy).
- Also subject to any OTSS-specific restrictions.

Donor and funding source
The award was established by Mr. Peter J. Devine, a former member of the University of Guelph Board of Governors, with matching funding provided through the Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS). The partnership between the donor and OTSS underpins the award’s financial structure and eligibility conditions. The scholarship honors the Devine family’s commitment to improving postsecondary access.

Key takeaways:
- Donor: Mr. Peter J. Devine (Devine Family).
- Matching funding provided by the Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS).
- Reflects a donor–province partnership to increase access.

Citizenship and government terms
Recipients must meet the university’s and OTSS’s citizenship and residency requirements to qualify for this award. Eligible status is Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person (as indicated by “Canadian–PR–PP”). In addition to identity and academic criteria, all candidates must comply with the government-mandated terms for OTSS-funded awards.

Key takeaways:
- Eligible statuses: Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person.
- Must comply with OTSS government-mandated terms.
- Citizenship/residency required alongside other eligibility criteria.