School of Social Work

School of Social Work Awards

An announcement regarding the dates for applying or nominating for awards will be made by mid-September. Click for Application Form  and Nomination Form. When completed they should be submitted to the Student Affairs Coordinator, Jeff Edmunds, EPH-200-E before the deadline. The Awards Ceremony will be held in the latter half of November.

There are numerous awards available. Criteria vary for the different awards. Academic achievement, financial need, community involvement, and leadership are all considered. We encourage all students to apply for awards and scholarships. There is no financial penalty for OSAP students receiving awards of up to $500.

Students are strongly recommended to review the full award description and qualifying criteria for each awards prior to applying, to determine their eligibility.

There are also a number of external scholarships, awards and bursaries for which students may be eligible to apply. For more information about these awards, please contact the Ryerson Financial Aid & Awards office or Jeff Edmunds, School of Social Work.

Students registered in the daytime degree program (including part-time students) who can demonstrate financial need, are eligible to apply for a Ryerson General Bursary. Check with the Financial Aid & Awards office for details, or the web site at www.ryerson.ca/financialaid.

Students applying for more than one award need to submit one application only, indicating which awards they would like to be considered for.

Ana Sonia Nascimento Award (Up to $750) 

For a student who has completed second or third year of the Social Work program with clear academic standing; CGPA of 3.00; demonstrates a commitment to social justice and community development through work with seniors, newcomers, and/or women; be a Canadian citizen; a permanent resident or protected person; be an Ontario resident; demonstrate financial need. Such work may be in the context of a field placement, international placement, volunteer work, etc. Preference will be given to a student who speaks Portuguese. In the absence of a qualified Portuguese speaking applicant, the award may be given to an applicant who speaks a second language and meets the remaining criteria. Applicants must provide a written statement outlining how their work demonstrates a commitment to social justice, along with a letter of support from a student or instructor.

Bachelor of Social Work Award (Up to $1,000)

This award is available to full-time and part-time students in second and third year who have returned to school after spending time in the work force or have entered from another post-secondary institution. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and a commitment to the life of the School and/or the community. A resume explaining how an applicant qualifies for the award must be submitted.

Buddhist Compassion Foundation Awards for Community Service (Up to $2,000 x 5)

Available to full-time students in the first three years of the program, this award assists students who have demonstrated commitment to marginalized and vulnerable populations through intensive and ongoing community-based service. Applicants must have an 80% course load and demonstrated financial need. Applicants must submit a resume and a 500-word statement which highlights their community service and the impact of that service on the community.

Cheryl Lajoie Memorial Award (Up to $1,000)

Applicants must currently be enrolled and have completed at least one year in the Social Work program, in clear academic standing, with the intention of enrolling in the program for the next year. A completed budget form demonstrating financial need is to be submitted and applicants must show promise in Social Work studies despite significant personal issues. A statement explaining how the criteria are met and a resume must be submitted.

Gordon C. Mcfarlane/John Howard Society of Ontario Award ($1,000 toward a Master of Social Work program at a Candadian University)

Open to a graduating student who has been accepted into an MSW program at a Canadian university. Awarded on the basis of academic excellence, financial need and level of commitment to pursuing a career in social work. Applicants must submit a resume and a 500-word statement indicating: 1) how graduate studies will contribute to their proessional development; 2) their career goals.

Harry A. Newman Memorial Foundation Awards (Up to $2,100)

These awards provide financial assistance and recognize the academic achievement of full-time students in the School of Social Work.

The applicant should demonstrate financial need through completion of a detailed budget form. The applicant must demonstrate good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. A nomination may be made by a member of faculty, or of the community, or by yourself. A self statement of need is to be submitted. Applicants must submit a resume and a short statement demonstrating active voluntereesm within the community.

Jacqueline and Howard Edelson Award (Value to be determined)

Eligble students must be a full-time student; Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person; be an Ontario resident; demonstrate financial need; min CGPA of 3.00 or higher; clear academic standing; provide evidence of interest and commitment to promoting the interests of elderly people with dementia and/or who are frail, through course work, field placements, volunteer or work experience, research, advocacy, etc. Applicants should submit a cover letter stating their demonstrated interest in areas such as clinical care of elderly persons with dementia; the development of community, policy and program supports for the frail elderly. Also include a letter of support from a professor or clinical instructor verifying their commitment to the elderly.

John David Parker Scholarship (Up to $1,000)

Available to a student who has demonstrated a commitment to child and youth work through volunteer/work experiences. Preference is given to students entering the final year of the program. Applicants must submit a resume and a 500-word statement indicating: 1) their history of work with children and youth and their signficant learning from these experiences; 2) how this award will support their future plans.

Jenny & Jean Green Social Justice Award (Up to $450)

Available to one or two students in the second, third or fourth year of the Social Work Program who meet these criteria: 1) a caring attitude toward others; 2) involvement with one or more social movements or community groups; 3) leadership qualities which foster participatory democratic processes.

Each applicant must submit a resume and be nominated by at least one Ryerson Social Work student or a faculty member who has taught the applicant. The nominator is requred to provide a statement (not to exceed three typed pages) clearly addressing how the applicant fulfills all three criteria detailing: specific examples of the caring attitudes displayed by the applicant in particular settings or locations; the particular nature of and duration of the applicant's involvement with social movements of community groups; and the particular character or substance of the applicant's leadership qualities including style, and the setting or group in which those leadership qualities are evident. Written endorsements from sources other than the nominator will enhance the application. In case of a tie, more than one student may share the award. Applicants may be asked to appear for an interview with the Selection Committee.

Jenny Green was a graduate of the Ryerson School of Social Work who died (1987) in a tragic accident in Nicaragua where she was part of an international aid program. Students are nominated for these awards by at least one other student or faculty in the School of Social Work. An interview may be part of the selection process.

Lisa Crew Memorial Award (Up to $165)

Award to a graduate of the degree program for ecxellence in social work practice paper.

Mya Award ($1,000)   

Awarded to the female student who is enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in the Social Work program; has a clear academic standing; is a sole support parent of one or more children and demonstrates financial need.

Nancy C. Sprott School of Social Work Leadership Awards (Up to $3,000 x 3)

Open to full-time students enrolled in the School of Social Work who have completed first, second and third years. To be eligible a student must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or Protected person; must be an Ontario resident; demonstrate financial need; demonstrate academic excellence with a minimum CGPA of 3.67 and a clear academic standing; must demonstrate leadership in areas that exemplify the mission and valuse of the School of Social Work.

Sheri Cohen Social Justice Award for People with Disabilities (Up to $1,300 x 2)

This Award was established to recognize the contributions and accomplishments achieved by students with learning disabilities, while overcoming personal obstacles. Financial need is also a consideration. It is open to full- and part-time students in the second, third and fourth years. Applicants must submit a resume, an academic record in good standing, a statement of financial need and one letter of reference in support of the applicant's commitment to social values.

The Karol Steinhouse Social Work Award (Up to $1,100 x 2)

Awarded to a student enrolled full-time in the School of Social Work, with a minimum 50% course load, who has completed either the second or third year of the Program. Specific criteria include demonstrated commitment to issues of social justice as they relate to sexual orientation, gender and diversity; academic record in good standing and financial need. A 500-word statement indicating commitment to issues of social justice as they relate to sexual orientation must be submitted.  Students may apply themselves, or be nominated by faculty and/or other students.

The Russell Jolliffe Award for Excellence in Social Work Practice ($Up to $1,450)

Provides assistance a full-time student entering the fourth year of the Social Work Program based on demonstrated excellence in their third year Social Work Practice Seminar and Practicum (SWP 31A/B & SWP 36A/B). Students may apply on their own behalf or be nominated by their Faculty Consultant. In either case, the student is responsible for submitting all required documentation. The application materials must include: a copy of the third year field practicum evaluation; a copy of the third year major practice paper; a letter of recommendation from the third year Faculty Field Consultant; statement of financial need; verification fo a minimum 3.0 GPA.

The George F. Bielmeier Award for Outstanding Contribution within the Field Practicum (Up to $500 x 2)

The Award is given in recognition of a third and a fourth year student, full- time or part-time, within the Program, who have made an outstanding contribution within the practicum, exceeding curriculum expectations. Nominations for the Award must be supported by both the Practicum Field Instructor and the Ryerson Faculty Field Consultant.

2011 Award Winners

"I am so proud to have made the decision to choose Ryerson University because I can now say with utmost certainty that the Social Work program is standing firm to their commitment to anti-oppression practices within the program.  This commitment has made my life at Ryerson University a truly amazing learning experience.  It was a decision that I am proud to have done however life has been really very challenging because of lack of funds.  My goal is to obtain my BSW and the MSW at Ryerson University"

"Being at Ryerson University has been a rewarding experience on so many levels.  It has been personally healing and empowering and through its AOP framework has brought a new approach to my professional work.  I know firsthand how discrimination can create barriers for people and I am committed to social action in both my personal and professional life as they cannot be separated"

"My first classes in social work blew my mind.  I could not believe how committed I had been to maintaining an unjust status quo.  I was shocked at how uninformed I had allowed myself to become yet somehow felt assured that I was living a life that was just.  My professional development and career goals are inextricable from who I want to become.  A master’s program will give me the opportunity to be questioned and to continue questioning as a part of society, not apart from society.  I want to celebrate individual stories and connect these to a global narrative that reflects how our struggles are informed by our actions and our own reactions" 

"Community service is a vital aspect of our society.  Ultimately, upon the completion of my Bachelor of Social Work this year, I hope to pursue both a Masters of Social Work and Bachelor of law.  I believe that poverty, oppression and racism are entrenched in the culture.  I believe that my legal and social work education will provide me with rigorous training in helping marginalized and exploited groups navigate the legal system and use it to their benefit to overcome their oppression and push the limits" 

"Volunteers can be an integral part of bringing the feeling of home to the given setting.  As for myself, I have been blessed with the development of friendships and the opportunity to listen to the amazing histories and backgrounds of these individuals.  The process of learning between me and others will be a never ending journey, thus my volunteer experience with Erin Mills Lodge Long Term Care Home will continue to groups.  In the words of Mohammed Ali, service to others is the payment you make for your space here on earth" 

"Getting into the BSW program changed my perspective of the world and ultimately, of myself.  Through volunteering, I learned valuable lessons of self-realization and personal growth that school and academic would never have been able to provide me with"

"My experience as a student at Ryerson University has been nothing short of fantastic.  I have had the privilege to engage in paid research, attend conferences and write and submit papers for publication, attain a place on the Dean’s list while managing my busy family" 

"The reason I chose to continue my education and become a social worker is that I believe in people and their capabilities.  As a woman who has many experiences in life, I believe in empowering people especially the vulnerable ones.  I had this feeling that I needed to reach out and give back to the country and community that gave me so much of peace, prosperity, and freedom.  It was my turn to lend a hand that I started helping new comers settle into the country"

"In a life, we are given the option of succeeding by putting ourselves first and focusing on our individual self.  I feel that sometimes a sacrifice, a helping hand and an initiative to do well or help make a difference in even one person’s life can go beyond a moral responsibility.  I believe that this is how you define success.  If we wait around for someone to ask for help, we will be blind to those who need it and are afraid to say so"   

"I am a strong proponent for social justice and raising awareness for human rights issues.  It was clear to me last year that I do not have to wait to obtain a degree in order to make changes within my community; I can be an active social agent now" 

"I am committed to this program as I have known for a long time that this is the type of thing I want to do.  I want to dedicate myself to working alongside youth to better their situations and provide safe environments where they can discuss their personal issues and meet others to develop strong relationships.  I cannot imagine myself doing anything aside from youth work, whether it be social justice, human rights issues, adoption or anything else – I know I want to commit myself to youth issues"

"I would like to use this opportunity to encourage my fellow peers to get involved in their community and help make a difference.  Having received the Buddhist Compassion Foundation Award last year was a great motivation for me to continue my volunteer work as well as seek other opportunities in the community and this year the award would continue to encourage me to do the same" 

"I am committed to a higher learning that is beneficial to the individual and community.  I believe through higher learning that one can inspire and create harmony within a community and for themselves.  In my second year at Ryerson University I find that the professors have empowered me and inspired me to fight injustice and make a difference"

"Community service can be defined in various ways.  In my definition of community service can be defined as assisting a community, an individual or an organization in any means necessary to achieve good within that area, and/or in carious cases making one person, or a group of individuals feel safer, happier, secure and not alone in order to seek this outcome progressively"