Scholarship Application

2025 FPCBP Scholarship Application

The Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals Scholarship Award is designed to recognize Luso-Canadian youth for their academic achievements and community involvement across Canada. Courtesy of our generous scholarship sponsors, Luso-Canadian youth will be awarded scholarships ranging from $1,250.00 to $4,000.00. In addition to being awarded a scholarship, recipients will be awarded a 1-year complementary Student FPCBP Membership.

Awards will be presented at the FPCBP Scholarships & Excellence Awards Gala Dinner to be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton, Ontario.

In order to qualify for the FPCBP scholarship, all applications must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in these guidelines. Provided that they are eligible, all applicants will go through a competitive review process. Please ensure that you have reviewed the Scholarship’s eligibility criteria before applying. For additional information about the FPCBP Scholarship, please contact the Federation at scholarship@fpcbp.com.

SCHOLARSHIP CATEGORIES:

• High School (Grade 12)
• College
• University Undergraduate program
• University Graduate program

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Monday March 17th, 2025,11:59 pm EST

TRANSCRIPT:

Applicants are required to submit a scanned original official school transcript from their high school, college, or university. If the applicant’s academic institution is not able to provide an original official school transcript, they must have their academic institution email a digital securely encrypted copy of their academic transcript to: scholarship@fpcbp.com, no later than Monday March 17th, 2025.

RELEASE OF FUNDS:

Recipients must collect their awards in-person at the FPCBP Gala Dinner on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST:

• Completed online form submission (no email submissions will be accepted)
• Résumé
• Short Bio
• Scanned / Digital Copy of an Official Transcript
• 1 Reference Letter (1 academic, work experience and/or volunteer)
• Original Official Transcript (digital)
• Headshot Photograph

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

*Applicant is a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident

*Enrolled in one of the following four programs: students in Grade 12 - High School, College, University Undergraduate program or University Graduate program.

*Applicants must meet the Portuguese descendant requirements: applicant was born in Portugal, Azores, Madeira OR is a descendant of Portuguese parents or grandparents. (Definition of immediate family members consists of one's parents, siblings, spouse, and children.)

*Applicant has not been a past recipient of an FPCBP scholarship award in the same program category of study.

*Acknowledge that all information provided herein is true and should this information be found to be incorrect or misleading it will result in the applicant’s disqualification from the Scholarship process and Award.

*Ensure all documents are electronically submitted before the deadline. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.

*Participate in-person at the 2025 FPCBP Gala on Saturday, May 10, 2025, wherein the applicant will assume travel and accommodation expenses.

*Applicant’s whose immediate family members are currently serving on the FPCBP board, cannot apply. Failure to disclose this information will result in disqualification. (Definition of immediate family members consists of one's parents, siblings, spouse, and children.)

*Applicant’s whose immediate family members are on the FPCBP Scholarship Selection Committee cannot apply. Failure to disclose this information will result in disqualification. (Definition of immediate family members consists of one's parents, siblings, spouse, and children.)

*In the case of the University Graduate program the applicant is eligible for an award if a past award was made while the applicant was enrolled in a different degree program (i.e. MA, PhD, LLB, M.D.) to a maximum of two awards, where one scholarship award is awarded per degree.

*Award recipients are invited to attend the 2025 Portugal Day Parade in June in Toronto and volunteer at 2 events within the federation’s calendar year.

Additional Information:

Please ensure that ALL Supporting Documents are correct and valid (including headshot photo dimensions) and are submitted with the completed form. Incomplete Applications will NOT be processed (see Section 5. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION).

*Required Field

Leadership Excellence Award

Open only to students enrolled in either a University Undergraduate program or a University Graduate program. Please respond to the following question "How have you demonstrated leadership?". Your response should be a maximum of 400 words, typed, font 12 and double spaced. This documentation must be uploaded below in .pdf format.

In addition, ONE reference letter is needed for this award. Reference letters can be an academic, work or volunteer reference letter.

Community Involvement Award in Honour of Teresa Melo

Open to all applicants. Intended to honour a well-rounded student who demonstrates the ability to achieve strong academic results while exhibiting a passion for community involvement. A maximum of TWO letters of reference will be accepted as evidence of community involvement. This documentation must be uploaded below. Reference letters can be an academic, work or volunteer reference letter.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

ALL of the supporting documentation MUST be included with this application except for your ORIGINAL official transcript.

Please provide ALL of the following in your onine application package:

1. An Original digital official academic transcript issued by a Canadian High School, College or University. Students must scan an official academic transcript in digital .pdf format and submit it with this on-line application.
2. Current Curriculum Vitae/Resume.
3. Submit a brief biography detailing your academic achievements, work and volunteer experiences, and the reasons you believe you should be considered for this award. We also encourage you to share any personal challenges that have influenced your educational journey, particularly those reflecting your determination and perseverance as well as how this scholarship could support your goals and make a difference in your life. Your biography should be no longer than ONE (1) page, typed, double spaced, in font size 12.
4. A headshot photo of (showing full face, 50mm X 70mm in size (2 inches wide X 2 3/4 inches long). Photo must be taken against a plain white or light-coloured background. You may smile. NO SELFIES.)
5. Any documentation specified by the Special Award requirements (Section above).

JUDGING PROCESS

Scholarships will be awarded based on a candidate’s full application, which best fits the aims and goals of promoting education and excellence in the Portuguese community in Canada.

Scholarships that do NOT have academic achievement as the PRIMARY criteria will still consider student grades. The FPCBP Scholarship Selection Committee will evaluate the student's academic record/grades, community/volunteer service, and biographies. The committee members will be looking at and judging “the whole person”, and not simply grades, community involvement or financial need. Keep in mind, however, that since this is a Scholarship Award a strong GPA is important.

The FPCBP Scholarship Selection Committee is an expert panel chosen to ensure a wide representation of academic expertise and experience, including high-school teachers, college professors and administrators, and university professors. They are an INDEPENDENT group at arm’s length from the FPCBP Executive and the Board of Directors. The FPCBP Board of Directors has no influence and does NOT participate in the judging process or the selection of recipients.

The committee members take this competition very seriously and look for the best student applications to ensure the integrity and recognition of academic excellence and merit. If a committee member comes across a student they know, or have worked with, they recuse themselves from voting on that applicant’s file. This in no way hurts any of our applicants since the committee members' grades are averaged out mathematically to determine the applicant’s final score.

DEADLINE

Online Application, ALL supporting documents, including a copy of your official transcript, must be scanned and submitted electronically by Monday March 17th, 2025,11:59 pm EST

PLEASE NOTE:

1. We thank everyone for submitting an application but only the selected winners will be contacted.
2. All applications once submitted become the property of the FPCBP, including official transcripts and are maintained confidential.
3. Awards will be presented at the FPCBP Scholarship and Excellence Awards Gala to be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton, Ontario. All winners are required to attend the Awards Gala in-person in order to receive their scholarship. One complimentary ticket will be issued to the intended recipient only and is Non-
4. If you acquire any issues completing this application, please send an email to scholarship@fpcbp.com or call FPCBP Office at (416) 537-8874

Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals

1136 College Street, Toronto, ON M6H 1B6

Tel: 416-537-8874

Email: info@fpcbp.com · Website: www.fpcbp.com · Social Media: @FPCBP