HMF Scholarships may be awarded annually to eligible applicants attending a formal, full-time, post-secondary program of study for their first time. The Scholarships are made available to local students who have made a positive contribution to the community through their volunteer work at schools or in recognized clubs or service institutions. Annually, up to three scholarships of $1,000 each may be awarded, with the recipients being recognized publicly.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Either:
   1. permanently reside within the boundary of Chatham-Kent Ward 3: East Kent (includes Ridgetown, Highgate, Bothwell, Thamesville, and surrounding areas) and attend any secondary school in Chatham-Kent (including home school) OR
   2. live outside of Chatham-Kent Ward 3: East Kent and attend in-person classes at Ridgetown District High School (RDHS).
2. Be enrolled to enter for the first time in the first-year of a full-time course of study at a recognized Canadian post-secondary college or university.
3. Have formally accepted an Offer of Admission to the college or university.
4. Be under the age of 25 on September 1st of the year of first term of the college or university.
5. Have accrued at least 20 hours of volunteer work for a school and/or a recognized community group in the 12 months preceding the application (does not include co-op education or other activities that count towards a school credit, playing on a sports team, providing service to the student’s immediate family or that student received financial gain for).

Exceptions – the following are not eligible:

• Relatives of HMF Board of Directors and HMF accounting firm (BDO Canada - Chatham Branch), defined as spouse, child, step-child, first cousin, niece/nephew, grandchild
• Students enrolled in a part-time course of study
• Students who previously attended a post-secondary course and are enrolling in a subsequent course (i.e., a second major course or a second college/university program)
• Students who are already in a post-secondary course of study

Application Process

All applicants must submit the following documentation prior to the HMF Scholarship deadline:

1. Online HMF Scholarship Application form
   Complete the online application form, in full, ensuring all areas are complete (i.e., applicant name, address, contact information, verification of address in Chatham-Kent Ward 3: East Kent OR attendance of in-person classes at Ridgetown District High School, verification of first-time, first-year course, name of college/university attending and course of study)
2. Completion of Volunteer Activities form(s)
   Attach completed “Completion of Volunteer Activities” form(s) detailing a minimum of 20 local volunteer hours accrued in the 12 months preceding the application, and signed by the principal or head of the volunteer organization. Completed form(s) should be in PDF or image file format. Volunteer hours may be accrued across multiple organizations, and a separate “Completion of Volunteer Activities” form must be submitted for each organization.
3. Signature and Declaration form
   Complete the Signature and Declaration form with the signature of the applicant included (plus parent/guardian section completed, if applicant is under 18 years of age at the date of application). Completed form should be in PDF or image file format.
4. Copy of school program Offer of Admission and Acceptance of Offer
   Attach a copy of formal Offer of Admission for the college/university course, and acceptance of the offer. If acceptance has not been received by application submission deadline, proof to be provided prior to award. Documents should be in PDF or image file format.

Applicants failing to submit all required documentation by the HMF Scholarship deadline may not be reviewed for consideration.

Further documentation may be requested, in some circumstances (e.g. proof of residency).

Selection Process

The selection process for the HMF Scholarships will be as follows:

• A sub-committee of HMF Directors will review applications for completeness and eligibility.
• If more than 3 eligible applications, all will be entered into a random draw to select the 3 award winners, overseen by the HMF accounting firm, BDO Canada - Chatham.
• The person drawing the names will be independent of the selection process and will not have seen the application forms.

Timelines

The HMF Scholarship process will adhere to the following timelines:

• Applications open: March 20 – May 15 (applications must be received no later than 11:59pm on May 15)
• Applications reviewed, and selections made: by June 15
• Scholarships awarded and paid: by July 15

Application Form Link

Link will be active on this webpage each year during the application submission period.

Questions

For questions or technical difficulties, please reach out to info@howardmutualfoundation.ca