Awards, Scholarships & Bursaries

– NAIT/OAC STUDENTS (outside of Alberta & Territories) –

The Opticians Association of Canada (OAC) is proud to provide financial support of students through scholarships, awards and bursaries to all accredited Opticianry Programs across Canada. Below you will find a list of the opportunities provided by the OAC, partners or sponsors of the OAC, and a link to opportunities provided by the educational institution itself.

We look forward to welcoming all students into the profession of Opticianry!

Opticians Association of Canada

Optical Sciences - Eyeglasses – Winter Entrance Bursary
Available to students within Canada, outside of the province of Alberta and Territories, entering the Optical Sciences – Eyeglasses program at NAIT. Students must be enrolling in a full semester of Eyeglass Year One, Semester One courses.
Value of Bursary: $1,000
Total Number of Bursary: 2
Disbursement Year: 2027-2028

Submission Period: November 1 to December 10, 2026
To apply , CLICK HERE WILL OPEN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2026
Program Area(s) Supported: Optical Sciences – Eyeglasses

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Optical Sciences - Eyeglasses – Fall Entrance Bursary
Available to students within Canada, outside of the province of Alberta and Territories, entering the Optical Sciences – Eyeglasses program at NAIT. Students must be enrolling in a full semester of courses.
Value of Each Bursary: $1,000
Total Number of Bursary: 1
Optical Sciences - Eyeglasses Year 2 – Fall Bursary
Available to second year students within Canada, outside of the province of Alberta and Territories, enrolled in the Optical Sciences -Eyeglasses program at NAIT. Students must be enrolling in a full semester of courses.
Value of Each Bursary: $1,000
Total Number of Bursary: 1
Optical Sciences – Contact Lenses – Fall Entrance Bursary
Available to students within Canada, outside of the province of Alberta and Territories, entering the Optical Sciences – Contact Lenses program at NAIT. Students must be enrolling in a full semester of courses.
Value of Each Bursary: $1,000
Total Number of Bursary: 1

June 23 to August 10, 2026

CLICK HERE

*You must log into your OAC account to apply

*Please click on the 'More information button to learn more about these bursaries.

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The Optical Group - NAIT Scholarships

Submission period: June 24 to August 10, 2026
To apply, CLICK HERE
Type: Scholarship
Number of Scholarships: 2
Value of Scholarship #1 (Full Scholarship): Scholarship covering a students’ tuition fees and textbooks for all four (4) semesters of the NAIT Eyeglasses Program and the two (2) semester NAIT Contact Lens program
Value of Scholarship #2 (Contact Lens Scholarship): Scholarship covering a students' tuition fees and textbooks for the two (2) semester NAIT Contact Lens program
Number of Scholarships: 2
Disbursement Year: 2026
Program Area(s) Supported: Optical Sciences – Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses
Criteria/Eligibility: Available to students within Canada, outside of the province of Alberta and Territories, entering the Optical Sciences – Eyeglasses or Contact Lens program at NAIT in the Fall 2026. Students must be enrolling in a full semester of courses. Student must be employed with an independent optical store.

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Sandra Blanchette Memorial Student Scholarship

Submission period: June 23 to August 10, 2026
To apply, CLICK HERE *You must login to your OAC account to apply, If you do not already have one, it is free to create one
*Please click on the 'More Information' button below to learn more about this Scholarship.
Type: Scholarship
Value of Scholarship: $1,000
Number of Scholarships: 1
Disbursement Year: 2026
Program Area(s) Supported: Optical Sciences – Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses
Criteria/Eligibility: Available to students within Canada (Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident), who are enrolling in the Fall 2026 intake of Optical Sciences – Eyeglasses Year One, Semester One or Contact Lenses, Semester One with NAIT. Students must be enrolled in a full semester of courses.

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Specsavers Scholarship

Submission period: June 23 to August 10, 2026
To apply, CLICK HERE *You must login to your OAC account to apply for this scholarship
*Please click on the 'More Information' button to learn more about this scholarship.
Type: Scholarship
Value of Scholarship: 3-year Scholarship covering a students’ tuition fees and textbooks for all four (4) semesters of the Eyeglasses Program and the two (2) semester Contact Lens program
Number of Scholarships: 1
Disbursement Year: 2026
Program Area(s) Supported: Optical Sciences – Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses
Criteria/Eligibility: Available to students within Canada, outside of the province of Alberta and Territories, entering the Optical Sciences – Eyeglasses program at NAIT. Students must be enrolling in a full semester of courses. Student DOES NOT need to be employed with Specsavers to apply for this scholarship.

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Students of Vision Scholarship

brought to you by Transitions and the Opticians Association of Canada
Submission deadline: WILL RE-OPEN IN FALL 2026
Type: Scholarship
Number of Scholarships: 3
Value of Scholarships: $1,000; $1,500; $2,000
Disbursement Year: 2026-2027
Program Area(s) Supported: Dispensing Optician Program
Criteria for Award: Open to students enrolled in an Opticianry Program, Optometry Program or Optometric Assistant Program in Canada.

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Additional Awards, Scholarships & Bursaries offered through the school
CLICK HERE