Bursary Description

Filipino/a/x students are significantly underrepresented in post-secondary pathways compared to other ethnic groups in Canada. This reflects a strong need for culturally responsive and reflective pedagogy that affirms students in the Filipino/a/x community. This award is part of an ongoing strategy to address this need by increasing educator representation from the TCDSB Filipino student community, who currently comprise over 30% of total enrolment. Encouraging these students to pursue education as a career to ensure a broad base of educators of Filipino descent has been identified as key goal. The Angel Foundation for Learning, in collaboration the TCDSB's Indigenous Education, Equity and Community Relations Department, the TCDSB Filipino Advisory Committee (FAC) and the Filipino community, is offering this new bursary award to support self-identified Filipino/a/x students wishing to pursue post-secondary studies in the field of education. This Student Bursary for Filipino/a/x Youth is administered through the Angel Foundation for Learning and co-sponsored with the TCDSB Filipino Advisory and Filipino community to help defray the cost of post-secondary education. Funding is provided equally between all three partners of the bursary award. Two (2) bursaries of $5,000 each is available to two graduating Filipino/a/x students who are registered students in the Toronto Catholic District School Board and require financial assistance to pursue post- secondary studies in pursuit of a Bachelor of Education degree at a college or university and has made outstanding contributions to their school community. Bursary will be awarded once the recipient is enrolled in the concurrent program.

Criteria

Selection of the successful candidate will be based on the following criteria:

• Self-identify as Filipino/a/x student
• A permanent resident or citizen of Canada
• Demonstration of academic proficiency, and potential for post-secondary success
• Evidence of contribution to the school and the community;
• Description of financial need and/or personal challenges;
• Confirmation/evidence of acceptance into a post-secondary institution with a focus in the field of education studies:
• Priority consideration will be given to students who have applied and been accepted to a Concurrent Bachelor of Education program at an Ontario university or college;*
• Is not a dependent of an AFL employee.

Application Process

Application must be completed with all of the following criteria for consideration of this bursary:

• completed and signed application form;
• A personal cover letter, which outlines contributions to the school and community; states the nature of the financial need; reason why pursuing education as a career, includes as much detail as appropriate;
• Two letters of recommendation from the following: the school principal or designate, employer, coach, department head, chaplain, support staff, teacher, community leader; the letter should outline contributions to the school and community, and state the nature of the financial need; and
• Confirmation/evidence of acceptance into a post-secondary institution in pursuit of Bachelor of Education.

Selection Process

The successful candidate will be approved by the Board of Directors of The Angel Foundation for Learning, upon the recommendation of the review committee. This review committee to review candidates will include members of the TCDSB Department of Equity, Diversity, Indigenous Education, and Community Relations, The Filipino Advisory Committee, Filipino Community Rep and/or the Angel Foundation for Learning. The successful candidate will be notified in early June. Please note the cheque for the successful applicant will be written to the university, college or program, which the student will be attending.

Contact Person

For any questions please contact Iris Martinez at iris.martinez@tcdsb.org

Application Deadline: Friday, April 24, 2026

Permission is granted to publish the name and photos of the successful student on print and electronic media, including both internal and external publications and sites.

Requirements:

In order to be considered for this bursary include:

• The completed and signed application form:
• A personal cover letter, which outlines contributions to the school and community and which states the nature of the financial need. Include as much detail as appropriate;
• Two letters of recommendation from the following: the school principal or designate, employer, coach, department head, chaplain, support staff, teacher, priest, community leader; the letter should outline contributions to the school and community, and state the nature of the financial need; and
• Confirmation/evidence of acceptance into a post-secondary institution for Bachelor Education.

Application Due Date: Friday, April 24, 2026