Students from Equity-deserving Groups
We are committed to reducing admissions barriers for students from equity-deserving communities. Thanks to the support of our generous alumni and other donors, Western Law offers a variety of financial aid opportunities. Below are a list of awards, scholarships and bursaries to support students from equity-deserving students.
The actual amounts of scholarships and awards may not be exactly as listed on the website. The amounts available each year will be dependent upon the interest earned on endowed funds. Admitted students are automatically considered for entrance scholarships as part of the admissions process.
For additional information on all awards, scholarships and bursaries, including any application details, please visit the Western Awards website.
Awards
Hewat Family Continuing Award for Indigenous Law Students
Awarded to a full-time undergraduate student entering Year 1 in the Faculty of Law. Preference will be given to candidates who are Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) and have demonstrated a contribution to their Indigenous community as well as interest in continuing their contribution to Indigenous communities in the future. Consideration will also be given to candidates’ academic achievement in pre-Law studies. The award will continue into Year 2 and Year 3 provided the recipient remains in Law, maintains full-time status, and progresses in the program. Only one recipient may hold the award at any given time. If the student does not meet the renewal requirements, a new Year 1 student will be selected. The Faculty of Law scholarship committee will select the recipients.
This award was established by Dale Hewat (LLB, 1986) and Chris Hewat (LLB, MBA, 1985). The intention of the donor is to attract Indigenous students to the study of Law at Western by assisting them in completing their legal education, which in turn will enable them to benefit their communities.
Value: 1 at $30,000 (The recipient receives $10,000 in Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3)
Violet King Award
Awarded to full-time undergraduate students entering Year 1 in the Faculty of Law based on academic achievement. Preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as Black. The Scholarship Committee in the Faculty of Law will select recipients. If there is no eligible candidate entering Year 1 Law, students in Year 2 or 3 may be considered. This award, named in honour of Violet King, is made possible by a generous gift from members of the Law Class of 2013 and friends.
In 1953 Violet King became the first Black Canadian to obtain a law degree in Alberta and the first Black person admitted to the Alberta Bar and to practice Law in Canada. King practised criminal law in Calgary for several years. She later moved to Ottawa to work with Citizenship and Immigration. In 1969, King moved to Chicago to become the director of manpower, planning and staff development with the YMCA. In 1976, she was appointed executive director of the National Council of YMCA’s Organizational Development Group, making her the first woman to be named to an executive position with the national organization. King shattered glass ceilings and broke down colour barriers to pave the way for future generations. Her hard work and drive to excel in all facets of her career are an inspiration for those who also aspire to do great things in their field. Violet King died in 1982 at the age of 53.
Value: 1 at Up to $5,000
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt Diverse Scholars Award
Awarded annually to full-time undergraduate students in second year Law with strong academic achievement and financial need. To encourage diversity and the attainment of equity in legal education and practice, preference will be given to equity-deserving students who self-identify as Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Metis), or a member of a racialized group. Online financial assistance applications are available through Student Center and must be submitted by September 30th. Once the Office of the Registrar has determined financial need, the Scholarship Committee within the Faculty of Law will select the recipient.
This award is made possible by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP.
Value: 4 at $5,000
Joyce Thomas Memorial Award
Awarded to full-time undergraduate students in the Faculty of Law based on academic achievement. Preference will be given to students who self-identify as Black or are Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis). The Faculty of Law will select the recipients.
This award was established by the friends and family of Joyce Thomas (JD ’09).
Value: 1 at $1,000
Law Society of Ontario Education Equity Award
Awarded to an undergraduate student or students in second or third year Law based primarily on financial need with due consideration being given to academic achievement and/or devotion and commitment to community and/or university service. To be eligible students must be members of a visible minority group, an aboriginal person, or a person with a disability, or a LGBTQ student. Online financial assistance applications are available through Student Center and must be submitted by September 30th. Applicants must also submit a letter of application responding specificially to the criteria outlined above, by November 30th. Students should contact the Faculty of Law for more information. Final selection will be made by the Dean of Law or designate.
These awards are made possible by the Law Society of Upper Canada and are funded by LexisNexis Canada Inc. to encourage diversity and the attainment of equity in legal education and practice.
Value: a maximum of 2 awards, values vary.
Bursaries
Joanne Poljanowski Memorial Bursary in Law
Awarded to a full-time undergraduate student entering the first year of the Law program with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to a female student. Online financial need applications are available through Student Center and must be submitted by October 31. The Office of the Registrar will select the recipient.
This bursary was established through Foundation Western in memory of Joanne Poljanowski (LLB '85) with contributions from Sophia Poljanowski, Borden Ladner & Gervais, The University Health Network, family and friends.
Value: 1 at $2,300
Bruce Alexander Thomas Q.C. Bursary
Awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate Indigenous student (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) in any year in the Faculty of Law who has demonstrated financial need. Online financial assistance applications are available through Student Center and must be completed by October 31. The Office of the Registrar will select the recipient. Established through generous donations from Bruce A. Thomas Q.C.
The purpose of this fund is to assist Indigenous law students to complete their studies, with a view to assisting the Indigenous community in Canada.
Value: 1 at $1,600
Gurmukh Family Bursary in Law
Awarded annually to a full-time student in Year 1 or 2 in the Faculty of Law, based on demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to a student who is: Black, Indigenous, or is a member of another racialized group experiencing hardship economic disadvantage or discrimination. Online financial assistance applications are available through Student Center and must be submitted by October 31st. The Office of the Registrar will select the recipient. This bursary is made possible by a generous gift from Mr. Sunil Gurmukh (LLB 2008) and the Gurmukh family.
Sunil Gurmukh is a human rights lawyer, and the Associate Dean, EDID and Associate Professor at Western Law and was named one of Canada’s top 25 most influential lawyers by Canada Lawyer Magazine in 2019. The Gurmukh family established this award to increase diversity in the legal profession and the Western Law student community.
Value: 1 at $1,000
Scholarships
Clarke-Osborne Family Entrance Scholarship
Awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student entering Year 1 in the Faculty of Law, based on academic achievement and demonstrated leadership ability. Preference will be given to an Indigenous student (First Nations, Metis, Inuit, Status, Non-Status and Self Identifying). The Scholarship/Awards Committee in the Faculty of Law will select the recipient.
This scholarship is made possible by a generous gift from Cindy Clarke (BA’93, LLB’97) National Group Head, Specialized Litigation at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and Chris Osborne (BSc ’93, MSc ’94), in loving memory of Cindy’s father, The Honourable Justice Richard N. Clarke (BA’62, LLB’67).
Value: 1 at $2,400
Bereskin & Parr LLP Scholarship
Awarded annually to an undergraduate student entering first year in the Faculty of Law, based on academic achievement in pre-Law studies who is Indigenous or self-identifies as Black. Preference will be given to students with a post-secondary degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics).
The Faculty of Law scholarship committee will select the recipient. This scholarship is supported by a generous donation from Bereskin & Parr LLP.
Value: 1 at $2,000
