HAILEYBURY, ON: The Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Paul and Gerri Charette Bursary program will be offering an additional 10 bursaries nationally of up to $5,000 for the 2020 academic year for a total of 20 bursaries across Canada to provide extra financial support during these unprecedented times.

“Our students have a lot on their plates, and this has only increased this past year,” stated Dr. Audrey J. Penner, President and CEO of Northern College of the increase. “Between their studies and their other responsibilities, the last thing that we want them to be worrying about is their finances. The generosity of donors like the Charettes and CICan allows our students to focus on what matters, and we are extremely grateful for that,” added Penner.

Last November, a Northern College Haileybury Campus Social Service Worker student was the recipient of this national award. Jenna Gilbert received one of ten national awards of 5,000 dollars from the Paul and Gerri Charette Bursary Program to support rural students.

“I am so thankful for this bursary and thankful to Paul and Gerri Charette,” said Gilbert. “There is such a need right now for people trying to pay for life and school and our dreams; it’s amazing and so helpful of the Charettes to provide this gift to students like me. It’s great to be in my community and to be able to help my community grow. This bursary allows me to make the time to go back to school and focus on my studies.”

Paul Charette and his wife Gerri created the bursary to offer students a helping hand, motivated by his own experiences as a young student, struggling to earn his education.

“In grade 12, I was given a $200 bursary that changed my life,” stated Charette. “Now that my wife Gerri and I are in a position to give back, we want to help students in similar need, and especially those from rural communities. I hope that one day, looking back, these recipients will feel the same way I did many years ago.”

It is a motivating sentiment shared by Northern College, rooted firmly in the belief that education provides opportunity and funding provides the security students need to focus on their studies. To this end, the College has nominated another student for the award this year. Also from the Haileybury campus, Kaffa Kathy Khattab, a student in the Law Clerk program, offered in partnership with Canadore College, is Northern’s current nominee.

“We are proud of the achievements of our students in being nominated for this national award, and are so pleased to support their nominations,” stated Dr. Penner of the bursary. For Jenna to have won this prestigious national award and generous bursary, selected from nominees across Canada is very exciting and admirable. We wish Kaffa all the very best in her nomination this year, as well.”

Northern College works hard to strengthen partnerships with donors for the benefit of its students. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Northern College awarded half a million dollars in scholarships, bursaries and awards this past academic year towards students and their studies, with $50,000 alone given out in Entrance Scholarships to high school graduates in the Northeastern Ontario catchment area that were redeemed this Fall.

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