Fleming College has announced a new scholarships initiative designed to reduce financial barriers for incoming students, while also supporting enrolment in programs for high-demand sectors including the skilled trades and applied health.
Beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, the college will invest $100,000 in its first-ever entrance scholarships program, which will provide $2,000 awards to 50 full-time domestic students.
Ten scholarships will be awarded in each of five demographic groups and program areas: mature learners, students entering the college’s new diagnostic cardiac sonography program, skilled trades students, applied health students, and Fleming alumni returning to study.
According to a media release, the initiative is intended to support recruitment and enrolment growth in high-priority program areas while continuing Fleming College’s broader commitment to student financial support through bursaries, awards, and scholarships.
“These entrance scholarships represent a meaningful investment in our students and in the future of our communities,” said Fleming College interim president Dr. Theresa Knott in the release.
“By reducing financial barriers at the point of entry, we are helping more students access education in high-demand fields while strengthening the talent pipeline for critical sectors like healthcare and skilled trades.”
The college’s announcement comes as post-secondary institutions across the province respond to gaps in student financial support as a result of recent changes to the provincial funding portion of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
For programs that start on or after August 1, OSAP students will receive more of their provincial funding as loans rather than grants. While students previously could receive up to 85 per cent of provincial funding under OSAP as grants, depending on their financial situation, that will change to a maximum of 25 per cent, with remainder being loans.
Critics say the changes to OSAP’s provincial funding will significantly reduce access to post-secondary education and also increase student debt.
Fleming College’s entrance scholarships program is being funded by a combination of donor contributions, including the Fleming Forward Fund and private donors, and TD Insurance Affinity program revenue.
“This initiative demonstrates how philanthropy can directly impact student success and institutional growth,” said Katie Pezoulas, Fleming College’s executive director of advancement and external relations. “We are proud to work with our donors to create opportunities that not only support students financially but also align with the evolving needs of our communities and economy.”
Fleming College says the new initiative not only reduces financial barriers for students, but also supports the college’s strategic priorities to expand applied health programming and skilled trades education while enhancing student recruitment and retention.
The entrance scholarships will be available to full-time domestic students who accept their offer of admission by May 1, with the scholarships automatically awarded based on the academic achievement of students who meet the eligibility criteria.
With campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton, Fleming College has more than 8,500 full-time and 445 part-time students, and 95,000 alumni.
For more information about entrance scholarships at Fleming College, visit flemingcollege.ca/entrance-scholarships.
