The Mary Pegg Educational Award

Supporting educational opportunities for young women in our community.

Students must apply through their school's guidance counsellor. Please do not submit applications directly to CFUW Aurora/Newmarket.

The Mary Pegg Educational Award

This award was established in 2017 in memory of Mary Pegg by her family. Mary was a teacher in York Region for 27 years. She was active in her community and was instrumental in founding the East Gwillimbury Public Library. One of her last gifts to the community was establishing this award in partnership with CFUW Aurora/Newmarket, a group that she was a member of for many years.

Mary’s vision was to provide financial support to young women undergoing financial hardship, allowing more young women an opportunity to pursue their career goals by attending a post-secondary institution.

 The award provides $3000 a year for up to four years (maximum of $12,000) to the selected candidates. 

Application Process

Applications for this award must be received electronically by the Guidance Department of your school by APRIL 15 and include the following:

1.  A 500-word essay that includes paragraphs that outline

  • financial hardships you face and the challenges you have overcome

  • your positive attitude and work ethic

  • your contributions to the school and/or community

  • your career goals

  • an explanation of how this award will enable you to attain your goals

Format your essay with a header that includes

  • your full name

  • secondary school name​

  • cell phone number

  • personal email address (NOT  your school email address as we need to be in contact with you after you graduate)

2.  Two letters of reference from non-family members (i.e., teacher, employer, an adult with whom you have been associated in the community)

3.  A list of any other financial supports for which you have applied (i.e., OSAP, other educational awards/bursaries).

     Please note: Advising us of this information will not preclude you from receiving this award.

4.  A copy of your post-secondary acceptance.

NOTE - If you have not received your acceptance by APRIL 15, please attach a document that includes

  • names and postal addresses of the post-secondary institutions to which you have applied

  • name of the program and length (e.g., Life Sciences—four-year program; Journalism—two-year program)
    to which you have applied

  • expected dates of acceptance

Eligibility

Female students graduating from Newmarket High School or Huron Heights Secondary School are eligible to apply for this award.

To be eligible, the female applicants must

  • be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada

  • be graduating students who have been accepted in full-time studies at a university, college, or apprenticeship program in Ontario that will be beneficial to their future success

  • demonstrate critical financial need

  • have demonstrated a positive attitude, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming adversity

  • have contributed to life in their schools and/or communities

Selection Process

Applications for the CFUW Aurora/Newmarket Mary Pegg Educational Award will be collected by the Guidance Department of the eligible schools.

Based on the applications received, the following review process will be used:

  • School Level - Applications will be reviewed and selected by staff and will forward them to the CFUW Charitable Trust Awards Committee.

  • CFUW Aurora/Newmarket Charitable Trust – A student will be selected by the Awards Committee and the Pegg family from the applications submitted from the schools to receive the Mary Pegg Educational Award.