The Samuel W. Stedman Foundation is now accepting applications for its bursary program.
Samuel Stedman, who co-founded the Stedman variety stores with his brothers, created the foundation in the 1960s to support local charities and provide bursaries to local students residing in Brantford-Brant.
Since publishing the first ad for the bursary program in The Brantford Expositor in 1966, the foundation has provided more than 2,500 Brant County students with bursaries totaling over $3 million.
While much of the foundation’s revenue goes towards annual grants for local charitable organizations, the remaining funds go towards supporting the program. While the allocated amount of bursary funds fluctuate every year, the foundation will be awarding $240,000 in bursaries in 2026.
David Pease, Secretary for the Samuel W. Foundation, said the bursaries are open to students entering or attending undergraduate programs at post-secondary institutions who are in financial need.
“Buraries are different from scholarships in the fact that a bursary is awarded based on the student’s need,” he said. “Now, they do have to have reasonable marks to receive the bursary as well, but the emphasis is on the financial requirement of the students.
Pease added that the bursaries are designed to encourage students to obtain an education and the skills needed to become a contributing member of society.
“I think it’s very important because if you give these people a chance for one little leg up the ladder, then it can make the difference not only to them, but it can make the difference to their families as well,” he said.
Those interested in applying for the bursaries have two streams.
One is for current students who are currently or recently enrolled in a high school, college or university. They must have graduated from a high school or alternative school in Brantford or the County of Brant, and have resided in the city or county during their year of graduation. They must be under 24 years of age and in financial need.
Qualifying high schools include: Assumption College School, Brantford Collegiate Institute & Vocational School, Grand Erie Learning Alternatives, North Park Collegiate & Vocational School, Paris District High School, Pauline Johnson Collegiate & Vocational School, St. John’s College, St. Mary’s Learning Centre and Tollgate Technological Skills Centre.
The second bursary is for mature students who reside in Brantford or the County of Brant during their year of application. They must be 24 years of age or over and are in financial need.
“The mature bursary is for people who maybe left school a number of years ago. The minimum age on it is 24, but it could go up to 50-years-old,” said Pease. “Perhaps it’s somebody that wants to go back and get an education that may help them pursue more income for their family.”
Students may receive up to four bursaries, one for each year of their undergraduate degree or diploma programs. Re-application is necessary each year.
With that being said, Pease added that students who have already graduated from high school and started their post-secondary education, but who were unaware of the bursary program, can still apply.
“If they’re in their third year, for instance, they could apply and get that third-year bursary, as well as one for their fourth year,” he said.
It should be noted that applicants who apply as either a current or mature student must be eligible to receive OSAP funding at the time they submit their application, and must be attending a college or university in the province of Ontario.
In order to apply for the Foundation’s bursary as a current student, you will need to provide:
- Personal and contact information
- Information about your program of study
- Estimated costs to complete your year of study
- Information related to your financial resources, including savings, RESPs, and income for yourself, and your parents or guardians
You will also need to submit:
- The most current complete transcript available as of this past Feb. 28th (printed on or after Feb 28th of this year) – unofficial transcripts are acceptable. No other marks summaries will be accepted.
- A completed letter of recommendation
- A signed signature page
In order to apply for the Foundation’s bursary as a mature student, you will need to provide:
- Personal and contact information
- Information about your program of study
- Estimated costs to complete your year of study
- Information related to your financial resources, including savings, RESPs, and income for yourself, and your spouse if applicable
You will also need to submit:
- A completed letter of recommendation
- A signed signature page
- Proof of current residence
Only those applications received or postmarked by the April 30, 2026, deadline will be considered. Applications must be completed in full as any incomplete application will not be considered.
Pease said that all applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application no later than August 1, 2026. Those who are granted a bursary will receive a confirmation letter in July indicating the amount they are receiving, and will have to complete and send back acceptance paperwork.
The money will later be sent directly to the post-secondary institution the student is attending, and distributed from there.
Given that the bursaries were designed to give back to those facing financial barriers to higher education, Pease said he and the Foundation are happy to be able to continue Stedman’s work.
“I think a lot of people who have never gone to university or have never had children go to university, don’t quite understand how expensive it is,” he said. “It’s not just the tuition, it’s day-to-day expenses too. If you’re going to receive an education, you’ve got to eat and you need a roof over your head and those things are expensive and that’s the reason we’re doing this.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
