We're super excited to introduce you to the winners of the KOHO x Loans Canada Financial Literacy Scholarship. Sydney Powers and Heather Small are our two lucky winners, scooping up a prize of $750 each. These students inspire us with their smart financial moves and determination towards smashing their education goals.
Sydney Powers: The planning pro
Sydney Powers is studying a major in psychology and a minor in sociology through sciences at the University of Prince Edward Island. Sydney's secret to keeping on top of her student finances is research and forward planning. Her hard work and high grades have allowed her to secure over $28,000 in scholarships, and applying for government grants has meant her summer studies have been completely free. Sweet, right? She’s also been super savvy with student banking, applying for a cash back student visa to build her credit and earn some extra cash, and opening a Tax-free Savings Account (GIC) to stash some extra cash away and earn interest. During each semester, Sydney’s hard work didn't stop in the classroom. She worked three jobs, and managed to use her waitressing tips to fund her everyday spending alone.Sydney has plans to attend medical school next year to become a psychiatrist, and we wish her all the best — we know you’ll ace it, Sydney!
Heather Small: The financial whiz
Heather Small has been financially savvy since she was just a little tot. Thanks to her parents, since her first job, Heather has been saving for retirement. Now that’s future thinking! As a community Social Worker, Heather says her work makes her appreciate the importance of financial literacy and educates communities on ways of saving and living a more financially stable life. She’s currently working two full time jobs to keep her debts in check, and help build a financial profile of investments that allow her to save even more for the future. Heather is starting graduate studies and has carefully adjusted her budget to support her education goals, while still allowing her to live comfortably.
Heather believes the key is balance. She recognizes her personal privilege and is thankful for the education she receives and wants to pass that on to others. Kudos to you, Heather!
About the scholarship
This is the first year KOHO has partnered with Loans Canada on the Financial Literacy Scholarship. The partnership on the programme has allowed us to award even more to students who are registered for post-secondary education in Canada. That’s $3,000 that goes a long way for students toward offsetting the costs of higher education.
Thinking of applying?
The Loans Canada x KOHO scholarship for winter 2024 opens on October 1st, 2023 and closes on December 31, 2023, with the winner being announced in early January. Find out more about how to enter here. We can’t wait to see yours!