Scholarships

Q: Do I need to report my scholarship on my tax return?

Provincial tax return In Quebec, student scholarships are generally tax-free. However, you still need to add the scholarship amount to your net income, even though it's later deducted when calculating your taxable income. This can affect your eligibility for certain tax credits and social welfare benefits, such as: Family Allowance payments Non-refundable tax credit for medical expenses Non-refundable tax credit for people living alone Refundable tax credit for non-subsidized childcare expenses Solidarity tax credit Federal income tax return In Ontario and federally, if you receive a scholarship for a program you are not eligible for, only the portion exceeding $500 will be added to your taxable income. A scholarship for a program of study is not taxable if you are an eligible student External link. when you receive it. Including scholarship income on your federal tax return can affect certain tax credits and social welfare benefits, such as: Canada child benefit GST credit Non-refundable tax credit for medical expenses Tax slips If you have won a scholarship from the Desjardins Foundation, you will receive tax slips for it in February. If you haven't received them by then, contact us . If a jury selected your application for a caisse scholarship, you will receive tax slips for it. However, if you win a scholarship through a random draw, you will not receive any tax slips.

Supporting youth is one of our key priorities. Each year, our scholarships provide financial assistance to thousands of students.

Apply today

Scholarship applications are now open and will be accepted from March 1 to 31. Simply create a profile, complete the form and submit your application.

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Who awards the scholarships?

The Desjardins Foundation and participating caisses award scholarships, made possible by generous donations from our partners and the caisses' Community Development Funds. All applications are automatically sent to both the Foundation and the caisses to boost your chances of receiving a scholarship.

Desjardins Foundation

Every year, the Desjardins Foundation makes a real impact on the lives of post-secondary students by awarding scholarships, which help them stay focused on their studies.

Read the Desjardins Foundation scholarship rules

Scholarships

Vocational training

$1,000

College/CEGEP

$1,500

University – Undergraduate programs

$1,500

University – Master's programs

$3,000

University – Doctoral programs

$5,000

Key dates

March 1–31: Applications are open

April and May: Applications are reviewed

June: Scholarship recipients are announced

September and October: Scholarships are awarded to the recipients

Participating caisses

By awarding scholarships, the caisses demonstrate their commitment to youth and motivate their members to pursue higher education.

If you are not a caisse member, your application will be forwarded to the caisse nearest you.

Read your caisse's scholarship rules

Apply for a scholarship

Manage your entire application process on our secure platform, available 24/7. Review the rules and create your profile anytime, at your convenience. We'll notify you when registration opens.

You can apply for a scholarship during the registration period, from March 1 to 31 each year.

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FAQ

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What information should I provide in my application if I'm not yet sure what I'm going to study?

Indicate the program you're most likely to choose. The most important requirement is that you be enrolled in a program in the fall. If you're chosen as a scholarship finalist, you'll need to fill out an acceptance form and send proof of enrollment. You can update your information later if anything changes.

Do I need to report my scholarship on my tax return?

Provincial tax return

In Quebec, student scholarships are generally tax-free. However, you still need to add the scholarship amount to your net income, even though it's later deducted when calculating your taxable income.

This can affect your eligibility for certain tax credits and social welfare benefits, such as:

Family Allowance payments
Non-refundable tax credit for medical expenses
Non-refundable tax credit for people living alone
Refundable tax credit for non-subsidized childcare expenses
Solidarity tax credit

Federal income tax return

In Ontario and federally, if you receive a scholarship for a program you are not eligible for, only the portion exceeding $500 will be added to your taxable income.

A scholarship for a program of study is not taxable if you are an eligible student External link. when you receive it.

Including scholarship income on your federal tax return can affect certain tax credits and social welfare benefits, such as:

Canada child benefit
GST credit
Non-refundable tax credit for medical expenses

Tax slips

If you have won a scholarship from the Desjardins Foundation, you will receive tax slips for it in February. If you haven't received them by then, contact us.

If a jury selected your application for a caisse scholarship, you will receive tax slips for it. However, if you win a scholarship through a random draw, you will not receive any tax slips.

Does Desjardins offer other forms of study assistance or resources besides scholarships?

We are committed to supporting young people's academic success. If you don't qualify for a scholarship, you can apply for a student loan.

Discover our Together For Our Youth program, which brings together impactful initiatives to benefit hundreds of thousands of young people across Canada.