PROGRAM

Scholarships

CCAF provides scholarships to current and former youth in extended society care for university, college and trade school

What is the CCAF Scholarship program?

The Catholic Children’s Aid Foundation (CCAF) provides scholarships toward tuition and other education costs so young people currently or formerly involved with the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS) can attend college, university or trade programs. Through your donations to the Foundation, CCAS youth can afford to further their post-secondary education to create a better life.

How it helps:

Your donations fund brighter futures for youth in the care of the CCAS

Attending college, university and skills programs is out of reach for most youth involved with child welfare due to rising education and housing costs, limited family resources and support, and minimal government funding.

When you give to the Foundation, you’re helping young people in care beat difficult odds:

Less likely to graduate. Only 46% of Ontario youth in extended care graduate high school, compared with 89.5% of all Ontario students.
Less likely to go to college: Youth in care are 50% less likely than peers to enrol in post-secondary education; those who do are more likely to drop out.
High education costs: The estimated cost of a four-year university degree in Canada today is $96,000.
No degree, lower income: Workers with a university degree earned an average of 59% more per year in 2020 than those without higher education ($60,000 vs $35,520).

“Your donations help at-risk children and youth overcome challenges and cover costs for tuition, textbooks and other education costs,” says Jim Gilligan, Executive Director of the CCAF. “It’s powerful charitable giving that transforms individual lives and creates role models within communities.”

Your impact:

Your giving empowers young people

In 2024/25, 79 youth received $345,000 in scholarships through the CCAF. They’ve graduated from a wide range of programs and are pursuing careers in wide-ranging industries including interior design, social work, law, education, the arts and more. They’re creating financial stability and being in service to their communities thanks to their hard work and your generous support.