There are four categories that require completion on your EKO Scholarship application:
- General Information
- Information About This Next Chapter in Your Education Journey
- Tell Us About Yourself
- Supplemental Materials
General Information
You will need to provide us with basic information about yourself and your educational goals.
- Name
- Mailing Address
- E-mail address
- Phone number
You will also be asked to indicate the best way for EKO to reach you: text, email or telephone. (Note that if we have questions about your application, we will communicate with you via email.)
- Where are you planning on learning? Please provide the name of the university, college, Indigenous Institute, career college or training institution in which you plan on enrolling in the next academic year. If you have not yet received confirmation of your enrollment, please provide the name of the institution that you expect to attend. If you are continuing a post-secondary program, please provide the name of the institution where you are enrolled.
- Program Name: The program in which you are currently enrolled or your anticipated field of study.
- Application Status: Please indicate whether your admission is confirmed, pending, or whether you are currently enrolled and will continue the program in the fall.
- Name of the EKO member organization where you received services and/or supports.
Education Information
To help us understand your education goals, please provide information about the school or program you plan to attend in 2026/27. This includes the name of the institution, the program or course of study.
If you’re still deciding where you’ll be enrolling, that’s okay, too. Please include your first choice for program and institution.
Tell Us About Yourself
You can complete this requirement using the medium you find most comfortable for expressing yourself. You are welcome to craft an essay or present a creative work (accompanied by an artist’s statement). It can be new or something you already created.
Whatever option you choose, we’re eager to learn about your learning goals and career aspirations. Tell us what you want to learn, why it matters to you, and how it supports the future you hope to build.
Essay
This can be up to 750 words in length. After writing your first draft, revise for spelling, grammar, clarity and flow so your message comes through strongly.
Here are some additional tips for an essay:
- Create an outline before you begin
- Use 12-point font for easy legibility
- Ask others to review it and provide feedback
- Include a well-written conclusion that ties everything together
Allowable formats: PDF, Microsoft Word
Creative Work
This can be a visual or an audio piece.
Video – this can be up to two minutes long. Plan your key message in advance to make the most of the short format. Each submission must include an artist’s statement, provided as either a written text of up to 150 words or an audio recording of up to 90 seconds. (Learn more about an artist's statement here.)
Here are some tips for a video submission:
- You are welcome to use your phone camera
- Clean your phone’s camera lens before recording
- Ensure you have nice lighting
- Ensure there is no background noise
- Speak clearly
- Keep your phone steady
- Record at 1080p in a landscape (horizontal) format if possible. (4K isn’t necessary and creates huge files.)
Examples of a video submission include:
- A simple, chronological story
- A theatrical, musical, dance or spoken word performance
- Who you want to become
- A skills demonstration
Allowable formats: MP4, MOV files (up to 200 megabytes) or a private YouTube link.
Artwork – a scan or photo of your artwork must fit on an 8.5x11” piece of paper. Make sure your artwork is photographed in good lighting or scanned to capture details. Each submission must include an artist’s statement, provided as either a written text of up to 150 words or an audio recording of up to 90 seconds. (Learn more about an artist's statement here.)
Examples of an artwork submission include:
- A photograph of something you created – a sculpture, fashion you designed, something you built, baking arts or culinary arts you make
- A digital poster representing your future
- A painting you created
- A sketch of a scene that represents your future
- A photo of a cake you decorated
- A photo of something you made with your carpentry skills
Allowable formats: high-quality JPG, PNG, or PDF.
Musical Composition – this audio recording can be up to two minutes long. Ensure your recording is clear so listeners can fully appreciate your work. Each submission must include an artist’s statement, provided as either a written text of up to 150 words or an audio recording of up to 90 seconds. (Learn more about an artist's statement here.)
Examples of a musical composition submission include:
- A violin performance
- An original song you wrote
- A song and spoken word combination
Allowable format: MP3.
Creative Writing – this can be up to 750 words in length. After writing your first draft, revise for spelling, grammar, clarity and flow so your message comes through strongly. Each submission must include an artist’s statement, provided as either a written text of up to 150 words or an audio recording of up to 90 seconds. (Learn more about an artist's statement here.)
Here are some additional tips for creative writing:
- Create an outline before you begin
- Use 12-point font for easy legibility
- Ask others to review it and provide feedback
Examples of a creative writing submission include:
- A poem
- A script
- A short story
Allowable formats: PDF, Microsoft Word
Thinking of using a medium that’s not on the list? Reach out via email, and we’ll help you confirm if it’s a fit.
What is an artist’s statement? Art is perceived differently by everyone who experiences the work. Please provide a short, personal explanation describing your creative work, including what the work is about, how it represents who you are, how it connects to what you want to learn and where you see yourself in your career.Supplemental Materials
You must include three pieces of supplemental materials:
- One (1) confirmation letter from an EKO General Member organization where you received services
- Two (2) letters from people who are important to you
Confirmation from an EKO General Member Organization Where You Received Services
This is a confirmation letter that must be provided by the EKO General Member organization where you received services.
Ask for this confirmation letter a few weeks in advance. The clinician or administrator you ask will be grateful to have time to prepare it. If you are no longer in touch with a clinician at the centre where you received services, contact the centre's main number and ask the receptionist for assistance.
Two Letters From People Who Are Important to You
You must provide two letters from people who know you well. These people can be neighbours, school/community mentors, teachers, coaches, community leaders or principals.
Notes:
- The letters should tell us how each person knows you.
- Letters should be no longer than one page.
- Be sure to give supporters at least a week or two to provide you with a letter.
- For assistance reaching school mentors who you may not be in touch with regularly, please email your school – their email address can be found on their school website.
To keep track of the application requirements, use our handy printable checklist!
Accessibility is important to us. Please let us know if you have any needs by contacting info@empoweredkidsontario.ca.