CFUW Guelph was established in 1945. One of our founding principles was the promotion of educational opportunities for women. From modest beginnings, our scholarship and bursary donations to local institutions now totals $7000-$8000 annually.
We’re very proud of our long term association with local educational institutions and we’d like to share some of our history:
Conestoga College:
CFUW Guelph’s history with Conestoga college began in 1994, with the creation of five bursary awards These award were directed to a female student who demonstrates academic progress, is a resident of Wellington County, and demonstrates a financial need. They have continued to this day with the addition of new awards from 2018 to 2022, including a 2022 endowed award for a female Conestoga student in the School of Engineering.
1994 – 5 awards of $100
2001 – 3 awards of $250
2002 – 4 awards of $400
2006 – 3 awards of $400
2012 – 3 awards of $500 each
2018 – Conestoga’s Women in the Skilled Trades Bursary – initial donation of $1500. Students were awarded $750 in the spring term of 2020 and 2021.
2018 – CFUW Guelph Early Childhood Education Award – $500 awarded to a student enrolled in the ECE Program at Conestoga College.
2019– CFUW 100th Anniversary Bursary, was awarded in 2019 to celebrate 100 years of CFUW. The award was given to a Conestoga College student for three years with the intention to make a difference for one female student in need.
2019 – CFUW 100th Anniversary Bursary awarded through partnership with Indspire Canada for three years for an Indigenous student in any program at Conestoga College.
2022– CFUW Bursary – 3 Awards of $500 to eligible full-time students at Conestoga College who demonstrate academic progress and demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to students residing in Wellington County. Preference will be given to female students who are attending Conestoga not directly from high school.
2022 – The CFUW Guelph 75th Anniversary Award – The purpose of the fund is to provide one $1500 endowed award to be given yearly to a female student in the School of Engineering. The student must be in third or fourth year, have a minimum overall average of 70%, demonstrate financial need, be a domestic student and preferably be from Guelph or Wellington County.
But……. our longest relationship has been with the University of Guelph:
University of Guelph and our Early Years:
From 1946 – 1964, CFUW Guelph supported High School Leaving Scholarships for female students entering university after graduating from Guelph high schools. It is not known how many students went on to the Macdonald Institute, now part of the University of Guelph, but it is likely that many did.
- 1946: First scholarship, $25.00 awarded to GCVI graduate
- 1950-1956: Scholarship gradually increased to $100
- 1959-1960: 2nd scholarship added for JF Ross graduate, amount increased to $150 each
- 1961-1962: scholarships increased to $400 each
- 1964: High School Leaving Scholarships were transitioned into entrance scholarships at the newly founded University of Guelph
University of Guelph Entrance Scholarships (established 1964)
Two University Women’s Club of Guelph Entrance Scholarships were awarded to female students entering first year at Wellington College (U of G ’s first College of Arts and Sciences).
- 1964-1965: two awards at $400 each
- 1970s, revised to five awards at $150 each, continued to 1984
University of Guelph Undergraduate Science Scholarship (established 1984)
The University of Guelph Undergraduate Science Scholarship (originally named University Women’s Club of Guelph Scholarship) was established in 1984 as an award for the top female student registered in Year 3 of a B. Sc. program in Engineering or Physical Sciences.
- 1984: first award, $600
- 1988-1989: University of Guelph Undergraduate Scholarship increased to $750
- 1990-1993: University of Guelph Undergraduate Scholarship increased to $1000
- 1993-2000: increased annually up to $2000 in the year 2000
- 2000-2016: University of Guelph Undergraduate Scholarship continued at $2000
- 2016-2017: amount reduced to $1,000 (funds were directed to new awards)
- 2017: award re-named CFUW Guelph – Engineering Scholarship
- 2025-2026: renamed and transitioned to an endowed scholarship, CFUW Guelph 80th Anniversary Engineering Scholarship
Elizabeth Schroder Memorial Scholarship, 1993
A one-time award of $400 was offered to a mature student returning to the University of Guelph to continue her education.
CFUW Guelph’s 50th anniversary scholarship, 1995
A one-time award of $1500 to a mature University of Guelph, B. Comm. student who demonstrated financial need, academic performance, & involvement in the community.
Margaret Craig Award, 1996-1998
A $1000 bequest from the estate of Margaret Craig, a local elementary school teacher, artist and former CFUW-Guelph member, funded an award for three consecutive years to a female Master of Fine Art student at the University of Guelph. Read more about Margaret here https://www.ugdsb.ca/gcvi/wp-content/uploads/sites/69/2016/06/wall_of_fame.pdf
Master of Fine Art Scholarship (established 1999)
This scholarship was a continuation of the Margaret Craig Award, with ongoing funds provided by CFUW Guelph’s Scholarship Fund. Awarded to a female MFA student whose work in studio and/or art history classes is considered outstanding.
- 1999: First year of award, $250
- 2002: increased to $500
- 2006: increased to $1000
- 2017: award re-named CFUW Guelph Master of Fine Art Scholarship
Scholarship for women in graduate studies in Nutritional Sciences (established 2008)
This award is based on academic achievement, relevant research activities, leadership abilities and extra-curricular activities related to nutrition and health or women’s issues. Qualifying applicants are registered in a graduate program offered by the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences and working on a thesis topic relevant to human nutrition.
- 2008-2011: Award set at $500
- 2012: increased to $1000
- 2017: award re-named CFUW Guelph Nutritional Sciences Graduate Scholarship