Dear Mr Brown:

I read your articles every Wednesday and your emphasis on studies in Canada is duly noted. My question pertains to scholarships in Canada. Do you know of any scholarship or bursary that I actually have a good chance of receiving? I have read that many schools have scholarships or bursaries for existing students. However, I am inquiring about an entrance scholarship.

— HB

Dear HB:

I appreciate your query, although it is difficult for me to respond as I do not have any information regarding your scholastic achievements or financial status.

Scholarship vs bursary

Scholarships and bursaries are types of financial assistance for which you do not have to pay back and the terms are often used interchangeably. However, there is a distinction between the terms as scholarships place emphasis on merit, grade point average (GPA), academic achievement/performance, athletic skill, extra-curricular involvement, special abilities, high level of excellence in studies, and particular traits such as ancestral background or group affiliation.

Bursaries, on the other hand, place emphasis on financial need and low family income.

Lambton College’s Diversity Scholarship Programme

I am not aware of many bursaries for international students, although some exist for registered students at various schools. There are many scholarships that can be applied for both by individual schools and external scholarships. Several of my clients received full entrance scholarships. Naturally, they are competitive.

In response to your query, the best scholarship programme (in terms of the number of awardees) that I am aware of is actually exclusively offered through my office.

Applicants from ‘selected countries’ are elegible to apply for the scholarship. Fortunately, Jamaica is a selected country. Meanwhile, students in select diploma and post-graduate programmes for May 2016, September 2016, January 2017 and May 2017 are eligible to apply for a scholarship.

The total value of the scholarship is Can$4,000 which is applied directly to the third semester tuition fees of the programme. The scholarship student must remain in good academic and financial standing, earning a minimum GPA of 2.5.

International students registered in the following programmes at the Toronto or Sarnia campuses will be eligible:

• Business Management (BMAN – Sarnia only)

• Business Management – International Business (BMIB – Sarnia only)

• Business Management – Human Resources

• Chemical Production and Power Engineering Technology – Accelerated

• Computer Programmer (CPRO, CPRC – Sarnia only)

• Computer Software and Database Development (CSAC – Sarnia only)

• Construction Project Management

• Hotel and Resort Management

• Information Technology Professional

• Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology – Accelerated

• Marketing Management and Professional Sales

• Occupational Health and Safety

• Pharmacy Technician

• Project Management and Strategic Leadership

• Supply Chain Management

• Web Design and Development

Only applications submitted through approved educational agents will be eligible, which is how I can be of direct assistance. Please note that there are a maximum of 20 scholarships available for each eligible intake. A maximum of five diversity scholarships will be approved in any one programme so you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Please visit

jamaica2canada.com for additional information on Canadian permanent residence programmes, including Express Entry, the Study and Work progamme, Visitor’s visas or Appeals, etc.

Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel and education agent of

JAMAICA2CANADA.COM— a Canadian immigration and education firm in Kingston. Send questions/comments tojamaica2canada@gmail.comordevry.jamaica@gmail.com.