The Isabel Kerr and Barb Ishibashi Scholarships are an annual program designed by Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council, to encourage the further education of our members ages 17+, including youth members, bridging members and adults. Please carefully review all the information below, before following the instructions to apply.
The Isabel Kerr and Barb Ishibashi Scholarships application are submitted entirely online; all documentation listed below is required in order to submit your application successfully.
Deadline for Application: You must submit your application, include supporting documents and ensure that two references have been provided on your behalf (see "How to Apply" below) by March 25, 2024 in order to be eligible for consideration.
Amount of Scholarship: The amount and number of scholarships awarded each year is dependent upon available funds. Individual scholarships will be between $500 and $1000.
Scholarship Categories:
- Full time – Scholarship(s) awarded to member(s) enrolled in and attending full-time at a post-secondary education facility.
- Part time/Continuing Education - Scholarship(s) awarded to member(s) enrolled in and attending part-time at a post-secondary education facility.
Eligibility Criteria and Conditions:
- Applicants must be attending junior college, college, technical school, university or a recognized post-secondary private education facility in fall 2024 (current high school students are eligible).
- Applicants must be active, well-rounded members of Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada in Ontario or Nunavut. The recipient is expected to continue their involvement with Guiding in some manner.
- Applicants must be 17 years of age or older during the application year.
- Applicants must correctly complete and submit all items listed under the “How to Apply” section below.
- Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in a subsequent year.
- Successful recipients may not apply again.
- Only a single application is required to apply to both scholarships automatically.
- The scholarship is conditional upon the acceptance and continuance in the program of the applicant's choice. Verification of acceptance will be required.
- Each award recipient must agree to have their name and photograph publicized. They must be prepared to promote the scholarship as requested.
- Each recipient must also provide their SIN number and confirm current mailing address upon request, for tax requirements for donations.
Evaluation Criteria:
To be eligible for consideration, applications must be received by the stated deadline and completed correctly. Only materials requested will be reviewed; extra information or material submitted will not be considered.
Applications will be evaluated by the Ontario Scholarship Review Committee under various categories for a total of 40 maximum points:
3 points: Guiding history
10 points: Service/volunteer involvement (inside and outside Guiding)
10 points: Additional interests and activities
2 points: School marks
10 points: Applicant's Guiding Statement
5 points: Confidential reference letter #1 and #2
How to Apply
- All applicants must complete the application by the DEADLINE: March 25, 2024.
- 1) Applicants are required to submit their most recent transcripts or report card as part of their application. Please have a copy of this ready to submit with your application.
- 2) Applicants must ensure that their two confidential references* are submitted by March 25, 2024. References will be obtained through the “Request a Recommendation” tab in the application form. *One reference must be from within Guiding and one from outside of Guiding. Each reference must include details regarding the character and qualities of the applicant, as well as the reasons why they should be considered for an Isabel Kerr and Barb Ishibashi Ontario Scholarship. The form response must indicate the relationship between the applicant and the reference. Family members are not permitted to provide a reference.
Complete and submit the online application, please select ON Isabel Kerr and Barb Ishibashi Scholarships Application. Apply now.
Winner Notification:
Successful recipients of the Isabel Kerr and Barb Ishibashi Scholarships will be notified before the end of April, each year. Please note that unsuccessful applicants will not be notified.
Scholarship winners will be invited to attend a public presentation of their scholarship at a provincial recognition ceremony.
If you have any questions about this scholarship, please contact on-counciloperations@girlguides.ca
Isabel Irene Kerr (08/22/1938 – 09/19/2014)
Isabel Kerr was a devoted member of Girl Guides of Canada for 61 years, with nine of those years as a youth member. Isabel was a unit Guider to numerous Guide, Pathfinder, and Ranger units ranging from 1956 to 1993. She held many senior level positions throughout her Guiding career, serving as Division Commissioner in Hamilton in the early 1980’s, Area Commissioner for Hamilton from 1992 to 1998, and Provincial Commissioner for Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council (GGC ON), from 1998 – 2002, to name a few.
Isabel received Long Service awards, the Ontario Award, the Canada 125 Medal, the Merit Award, the Gold Thanks Award, the Ontario Volunteer Award, the Honorary Life Award, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, and the Medal of Merit Award. Isabel was also a Trefoil Guild member in Hamilton.
Isabel had a resolute commitment to Guiding and was an inspiration to those lucky enough to know her.
Barb Ishibashi
Barb Ishibashi has been an active member of Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council for half a century and counting! Barb has held numerous positions within Guiding, including Deputy Chairperson for Public Relations, unit Guider to many Spark and Guide units, Provincial Trainer, and Council Adult Member Advisor. Barb is currently a member of one of Ontario’s Trefoil Guilds.
Over her extensive Guiding history, Barb has been awarded Long Service Awards, four TEAM Awards, the Silver Merit Award, the Ontario Award, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Gold Thanks Award, and the Gold Merit Award.
Barb holds a lifelong commitment to service and volunteerism with Girl Guides of Canada and other organizations, including the Canadian Cancer Society, the Alzheimer Society of Canada and now the Dementia Society of Ottawa.