Student Services

Post-secondary education is expensive.  Financial assistance is available in various forms including scholarships, awards, bursaries, government loans (OSAP) and student bank loans.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards are financial gifts that are provided by educational institutes, private companies, community agencies and donors.  Generally, scholarships are awarded to students based on high academic achievement but additional criteria may also be required.  Such criteria may be demonstrated school and/or community leadership.  Awards may require high academic achievement but often acknowledge significant contributions that you have made outside of the classroom.  When applying for a scholarship or an award, you may need to provide:

• Current resume
• Current transcript
• Reference letters (provide sufficient time for people you are asking to write a letter on your behalf)
• Personal profile
• 500 or longer word essay

Where to Look for Scholarships and Awards

The following websites provide scholarship information:

• https://scholartree.ca/
• https://www.scholarshipscanada.com/
• www.ontariocolleges.ca
• https://www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca/ 
• https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/community/awards/#tabs-111
• specific sites provided by the college or university to which you are applying

In addition, check:

• Financing Your Education:  Scholarship/Awards/Bursaries/OSAP section of the Guidance:  Nora Frances Henderson HUB course https://hwdsb.elearningontario.ca/d2l/le/lessons/24040675/units/203598178
• Parents’, or your, place of employment

Bursaries

Bursaries are monetary gifts awarded to students who typically demonstrate financial need or hardship.  The above sources for scholarships also apply to bursaries.

Government Loans (OSAP)

The Ontario Government offers financial assistance to students by means of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) loan.  You must apply for OSAP and disclose personal financial information.  Based on determined need, you may/may not receive assistance.  The loan must be repaid and is interest free until six months after graduation.  After the six-month period, interest is charged.  In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for a debt-relief payment option.

The OSAP website is

https://www.ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program

As a graduation requirement, students must complete a minimum of 40 Community Involvement Hours (CIH).  Prior to beginning CIH, check with school administration or a guidance counsellor to ensure that the activity is eligible and that the hours will count.  

Did you know?

• Students can begin their Community Hours following successful completion of Grade 8.
• Grade 12 students must submit completed Community Involvement Hours paperwork to their Guidance Counsellor by April 1 to ensure that all documented hours are valid.  Submission after April 1 may jeopardize graduation status.
• Community Involvement Hour opportunities are shared with students through morning announcements, the Hub and Twitter.  A binder is also kept in guidance as a resource.

For more information on CIH and tracking sheets, click here.

Students will be making their Course Selections using myBlueprint

Henderson Students have been guided through this process through Grade presentations. 

myBlueprint will be open for course selections from March 2, 2026-March 27, 2026

Nora Frances Henderson S.S. is OPEN to out-of-catchment for the 2026-2027 school year.

Important Dates for Secondary Schools OPEN to Out-of-Catchment:

• Application Due Date: Friday, March 6, 2026, by 4 p.m.
• Decision Notification: Friday, March 13, 2026 by 4 p.m.
• Application: Secondary Out-of-Catchment Application Form 2026-2027

NOTE: No applications will be accepted after March 6. 2026.

Information about Henderson Course Options can be found here at:  NFH All School Course Option Sheet 2026-2027 FINAL

Instructions on how to make course selections through myBlueprint can be found here:  Course Selection Instructions for NFH Students (myBlueprint)

Other Helpful Resources (links)

1. Apprenticeships in Ontario
2. Ontario Colleges Information
3. Ontario Universities Information
4. OSSD Graduation Requirements
5. Opt-Out Process for Online Learning Requirement

In order to qualify for an Honour award, students can take courses from one or a combination of the following avenues: HWDSB Secondary School (day school), any school in the Province of Ontario that follows the Ontario Curriculum, elearning, night school, and summer school (these courses also must meet Ontario Curriculum expectations).

Courses must be taken July through June of a school year. The calculation date will take place in June of the school year.  Any course taken after June will count for the next school year.

Ontario Scholar Criteria

To qualify as an Ontario Scholar, you must have an average of 80 percent in 6 grade 12 U, M, C, E or O courses.  In addition, please note:

• awarded as a GRADUATE or POST-GRADUATE
• qualifying courses may be completed over more than 1 year
• any course shall be multiplied by its credit value (i.e. CO-OP mark will count 2X)

The Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC) organizes the process for students to apply to University in Ontario. Students use their 9 digit Ontario Education Number (OEN) found on provincial report cards to apply before the equal opportunity deadline of January 16th, 2026.  Students are encouraged to apply well before this equal opportunity deadline.   It is important that students research programs and organize their choices in preparation for the application process.  Please visit the OUAC site to complete this research:  https://www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca/

When ready to apply, please use the OUAC website to complete the applications:  https://www.ouac.on.ca/

The Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) organizes the application process for Ontario Colleges.  Students use their 9 digit Ontario Education Number (OEN) found on provincial report cards to apply before the equal opportunity deadline of February 1st, 2026.  Students are encouraged to apply well before this equal opportunity deadline.  Please visit the OCAS site to research programs and to apply to college: https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en

Once you have applied, ensure that you are regularly logging in to checking your OCAS and OUAC accounts to verify that YOUR profile, course information, and marks are ACCURATE.  If you notice any errors, it is YOUR responsibility to report them to GUIDANCE immediately to ensure your application to University or College will be processed.

Important Documents Regarding Applications – new info to be posted once available

• – This presentation reviews the basics and provides resources to post secondary pathways, scholarships and graduation requirements.
• Post Secondary Research Chart– Use this Handy CHART to research and compare schools!
• Research schools and programs & make choices for application
• Fees should be paid at the time of application
• University application deadline – January 15, 2026      https://www.ouac.on.ca/             University Fee – $156 (additional choices-$50 each)
  • OUAC Ontario University Application Procedure 2025 2026  UNIVERSITY-APPLICATION-CHECKLIST 2025-2026
• College application deadline – February 1, 2026    https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/       College Fee – $150 – subject to change
  • OCAS Application Instructions   COLLEGE-APPLICATIONS-CHECKLISTS-2025-2026

Applying to University or College

Students who are interested in applying to University or College for next September should do the following…

• Make sure you will complete diploma requirements by June
• For university programs – check for prerequisites, will have six 4U/4M courses
• Be prepared to apply to post-secondary before Christmas holiday
• Submit an up-to-date “Scholarship Profile” to Mrs. Melatti to be considered for school sponsored awards/scholarships found on the Awards & Scholarships Page.
• Check university admission requirements for program prerequisites at www.ouac.on.ca
• Compare universities and programs at Ontario Universities Info website
• University Comprehensive Guide  Comprehensive University Guide
• How to submit an OSAP application,  How to submit an OSAP application – YouTube.
• HOPE – Mentorship Workshops on University Applications: University Panel, How to Study for Tests, Supplementary applications!   Sign up here (NOVEMBER)   HOPE Workshops High School Poster

1) Ontario Universities’ Fair (OUF): 

• Ontario Universities’ Application Centre https://www.ouac.on.ca/
• University INFO Newsletter Ontario Universities Info
• Ontario College Application Services https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/

Regional Fairs Schedule:

• Northwestern Ontario: September 15-19, 2025
• Northeastern Ontario: September 15-19, 2025
• Central Eastern Ontario: September 22-25, 2025
• Ottawa and Eastern Regions: October 6-9, 2025
• Southwestern Ontario: October 14-17, 2025

Grade 11s: 

Are you in Grade 11 or younger and thinking about where to attend university?

Attend the Information Sessions virtual event on Thursday, May 22, from 5 to 7 pm (ET). You can watch university presentations and connect with university staff and students in real time.

How Does the Event Work?
There are four 30-minute sessions during the event, and you can choose which university sessions you want to attend. The event schedule will be available in early May. Sign up now to get your personalized link to the event website and to receive the session schedule when it’s ready.

Get more information and sign up now!

Note for Current Undergraduate Applicants: This event is geared towards Grade 11 and younger students. Universities will not be able to answer questions regarding current application statuses. If you are a current undergraduate applicant and have questions for a university, contact them directly.

We hope to see you at the virtual Information Sessions!

Post Secondary Research Chart

Liaison /Recruitment meetings 2025-2026

(Please note; college visits may be paused due to strike)

Wilfrid Laurier University:  October 3, 2025 –  10:15-11:15 AM – Upper Learning Commons

Brock University:  October 20, 2025 – 10:15-11:15 AM – Upper Learning Commons

Indigenous Studies at McMaster University:  October 23, 2025 – 10:15-11:15 AM – Room 1006

TMU (Toronto Metropolitan University): October 29, 2025  – 10:15 – 11:15 AM – Upper Learning Commons 

McMaster University: November 4, 2025 – 10:15-11:15 AM – Upper Learning Commons

University of Guelph: November 5, 2025 – 10:15-11:15 AM – Upper Learning Commons

University of Waterloo: November 6, 2026 – 10:15-11:15 AM – Upper Learning Commons

Western University:  November 14, 2025 – 10:15-11:15 AM – Upper Learning Commons

University of Toronto:  November 24, 2025 – 10:15-11:15 AM – Room 1006

University of Niagara Falls:  November 17, 2025 – 10:15-11:15 AM – Upper Learning Commons

Queen’s University: TBD

Niagara College: TBD

Guelph -Humber: TBD

Mohawk College: TBD