Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Victoria Women's Association Bursary Fund (VWA)

The Victoria Women’s Association (VWA) Bursary Fund is a dedicated student-support fund associated with Victoria College, part of the University of Toronto. Created as the Association’s first formal bursary fund in 1909, it continues a long tradition of providing financial assistance to Victoria College students who face economic barriers to completing their studies. The fund is sustained by donations from VWA members, alumnae, and friends, as well as revenue generated by the fund’s capital.

Each year, the Registrar’s Office of Victoria College selects recipients and awards several bursaries to students in financial need. The page describes recent examples where bursary support helped students studying disciplines such as planetary science, physics, computer science, English, sexual diversity studies, Russian and European affairs, and history. Common circumstances include limited family resources, reliance on OSAP or UTAPS, high living or commuting costs, and the need to work significant hours while studying.

The fund focuses on need-based bursaries rather than merit scholarships. Its primary beneficiaries are undergraduate students registered at Victoria College who demonstrate a financial shortfall even after accessing government student aid and part-time employment. By covering outstanding tuition or living expenses, the VWA Bursary Fund helps students remain enrolled and progress toward graduation.

Donations to the VWA Bursary Fund are eligible for tax receipts, and contributors may give online through the University of Toronto’s alumni platform or by cheque delivered to or mailed via the Victoria Alumni Affairs & Advancement Office. Through more than 125 years of engagement, the Victoria Women’s Association and its bursary fund have played a significant role in expanding access to higher education for Victoria College students.