Home2024 Award Program Regulations

2024 Award Program Regulations

Indigenous Student Scholarship

The purpose of this award is to meet the increasing needs of First Nations (status and non-status), Inuit, and Métis students for financial support in pursuing a career in physiotherapy, and to assist them in the pursuit of excellence in their career. One scholarship is awarded for up to $2,500. Applicants must be a CPA student member (PT or PTA student) to apply.

Regulations

  1. The Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada, on the advice of its Indigenous Student Scholarship Committee, awards this scholarship. PFC Board of Directors reserves the right to approve or decline any application.
  2. The Indigenous Student Scholarship is awarded for a period of 12 months.

Eligibility

  1. The Indigenous Student Scholarship is open to all Canadian Indigenous students who are First Nation (status or non-status), Inuit or Métis and who are enrolled in any year of a full-time accredited Canadian post-secondary physiotherapy program. Eligible programs include OTA & PTA Education Accredited Programs (OTA & PTA EAP) and graduate degrees of at least two academic years. Proof of ancestry is required (may include a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS or “Status Card”), membership in a Métis Nation, certified genealogy with historical documentation of ancestry or residency in Inuit Nanangat.) If the Indigenous Student Scholarship Review Committee deems it sufficient, a letter from the applicant’s Indigenous community outlining their involvement and contribution to their community may serve as a replacement to the proof of ancestry. Applicants must be a CPA student member (PT or PTA student) to apply.
  2. Successful candidates pursuing physiotherapy education should preferably devote themselves for a period of 12 consecutive months to the subject of the Award. Assistance may be provided to candidates enrolled on a half-time basis.

Application

  1. Applications must be received ONLINE via EventsAir by March 15th, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST. Notification on the outcome of applications will be provided in writing in May.
  2. Applicants are invited to submit their application for funding in either official language.
  3. Applicants are required to submit a 1,500-word letter of introduction describing the applicant’s pursuit of a career in physiotherapy and a copy of their marks (official or unofficial) from their most recent academic program. The letter should also highlight how they see a career in physiotherapy supporting their community (directly or indirectly), financial circumstances affecting the student’s ability to pursue a physiotherapy degree (MPT) or diploma (PTA), and how they would like to contribute to the physiotherapy profession.
  4. Applicants are required to submit at least two letters of reference demonstrating the applicants’ interest in physiotherapy, community involvement and leadership qualities, as well as the letter of acceptance into an accredited physiotherapy program. Letters may be provided from a school official, employer, community leader or Indian Band official who is not in the immediate family of the applicant.
  5. Applicants are required to submit an academic transcript, if applicable.

Review Process

  1. An awards selection committee will evaluate the applications and determine the successful candidates. Selection will be based academic performance, merit of the application and letters of reference.

Oblications of the Recipients

  1. After the 12-month scholarship funding period, recipients must submit a report outlining how it has assisted their physiotherapy education. This may be used by PFC for promotional purposes.
  2. Should the work of the candidate result in the publication of papers or a thesis, the assistance furnished by the PFC and the Indigenous Student Scholarship must be acknowledged and a copy should be provided to PFC. For example, a statement such as the following should be included:
    • “This research was supported by the Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada through the Indigenous Student Scholarship.”

Financial Administration

  1. The PFC will inform applicants of its award decisions after it has completed the selection process. The successful applicants will receive an award letter via email in May. The award will be disbursed in June 2024
  2. PFC will issue a T4 or T4A slip to the award recipient at the end of the calendar year.