The Oakville Youth Education Award has seen a surge in applications since the Awards Hub, launched in February for 2026. More than 750 students have registered in 2026, 50% higher than at the same time in 2025.
The Awards Hub is a place for students to find scholarships, bursaries and education awards, provided by the OCF and several other local partners. You can learn more about it here.
In addition to higher costs of living and increases in academic program fees, the surge in applications can be correlated to the upcoming changes in the Ontario Student Assistance Program, or OSAP. The changes could mean that students will be taking on more debt throughout their postsecondary education, making scholarships, bursaries and education awards even more important.
These changes could also contribute to a growing rate of youth Not In Education, Employment or Training (NEET), already at 1 in 13 Oakville youth between the ages of 15-24.
We know that supporting education and youth is an important priority for many of our Fundholders. That’s why we need your help to offer more awards and support our local students in their postsecondary education.
We asked Michelle Collins, our Fundholder and Community Engagement Administrator, who also works closely with The Awards Hub and the Oakville Youth Education Award, for some of her observations about the students who typically apply.
Students need financial support
“The number of students in precarious financial situations is higher than you might think, given Oakville’s reputation as a wealthy community. Despite this, Oakville has the highest low-income rate of all the municipalities in Halton at 8.6%. The financial burden of paying for school is something that weighs heavily on the entire family, not just the student.”
Students have high expectations of themselves
“The students who apply for and receive these awards have very high expectations of themselves and are conscientious about using the funds for their education. OYEA funding flows directly to the student’s academic institution for their benefit, not to the students themselves.”
Students are full of optimism
“Despite the challenges we often read about in these applications, students are full of optimism about their future, and it’s inspiring to think about what they’ll go on to accomplish. Fundholders who have supported an Oakville Youth Education Award, or those who have created their own awards, can take a great deal of pride in knowing they helped contribute to the next generation’s success.”
Fundholders who are interested in supporting students with a scholarship can still take advantage of our matching opportunity to fund an Oakville Youth Education Award, whether single or multiyear. They can also take part in the OYEA student awards ceremony on June 4th at Ford of Canada. Please contact giving@theocf.org to get started.
