Public Service Alliance of Canada Scholarships

The Public Service Alliance of Canada represents 245,000 workers in every province and territory in Canada and in locations around the world. Our members work for federal government departments and agencies, Crown Corporations, universities, casinos, community services agencies, Aboriginal communities, airports, and the security sector among others. PSAC is headquartered in Ottawa with 23 regional offices across Canada. 

PSAC offers the following 14 scholarships for dependent children of current members, who will be attending full-time studies at a recognized post-secondary institution in the fall of 2026:

• one $4,000 PSAC-AGR National Scholarship
• one $4,000 PSAC-Coughlin National Scholarship
• two $3,000 PSAC-AGR National Scholarships
• two $3,000 PSAC-Coughlin National Scholarships
• one $2,000 J.R. (Joe) Power National Scholarship
• seven $1,000 regional scholarships – one for each of the seven PSAC regions (Atlantic, Quebec, National Capital Region, Ontario, Prairies, British Columbia and the North)

PSAC also offers:

5 scholarships to current members

• Three $2,000 National Member Scholarships – Full-Time Studies for PSAC members who will be registered in full-time studies at a recognized post-secondary institution in the fall of 2026.
• Two $1,000 National Members Scholarships – Part-Time Studies for PSAC members who will be registered in part-time studies at a recognized post-secondary institution in the fall of 2026.

5 Equity scholarships

Five (5) scholarships of $3,000 each for members or dependents of members who self ID as a woman, Indigenous, person with a disability, racialized, or 2SLGBTQIA+ members. If you belong to one of these five groups, please ensure to indicate that on the application form.

Applicants must either be a member in good standing or the dependent child (less of 26 years old) of a member in good standing as of March 31, 2026. A member in good standing is a member who has up-to-date union dues and a signed PSAC membership card. Members should contact their union rep, local, or PSAC regional office if they have not signed a membership card.

Scholarships cannot be awarded unless members have paid their union dues. If there is an issue with union dues payment because of Phoenix or seasonal employment, please contact scholarships-bourses@psacafpc.com.

The scholarship program is not limited to first-year students. Please note, however, that anyone who has won a scholarship through this program in the past will not be awarded another.

PSAC scholarships are awarded based on the merit of a 750 to 850-word essay, YouTube video, infographic, song or other creative submission which answers the current scholarship questions. Any media used to create videos/songs/infographics must be original, submitted under the name of the applicant and not be more than five (5) minutes in duration.

The PSAC reserves the right to withhold the granting of an award if no applicant is deemed to possess the necessary requirements, or for other valid reasons. The Alliance Executive Committee (AEC) may award a regional scholarship outside of a particular region if no applicants from that region are deemed to possess the necessary requirements, or if no completed applications received from that region.

All submissions become the property of the PSAC and winning submissions may be posted, in the language of their composition, on the PSAC website or in other communications materials along with the authors’ names and the scholarships they received.

Application Process

Scholarship Questions 2026

Please respond to the scholarship questions below.

Across Canada, workers are living through a time of profound change. Political polarization, austerity measures, job losses, return to office mandates, and the rise of artificial intelligence have reshaped not only how we work, but how we connect, care, and find stability. How have these changes touched your own life, your sense of security, your opportunities, your family, or your community?

If you are a PSAC member, how have these realities affected your local’s ability to care for and stand beside its members? Reflect on what you have lived and witnessed. When have you felt uncertainty, frustration, or loss? When have you seen courage, resilience, compassion, or solidarity shine through?

As tools like AI become part of how we learn, organize, and communicate, how might they be used to bring people together, strengthen trust, and deepen our shared purpose? What guiding values, strategies, or tools could help us build a more supportive and humane future of work for all?

Scholarship Guidelines

Option 1:

An original 750- to 850-word essay answering the PSAC scholarship questions. Your essay submission must be in Word format. Please ensure your full name and page numbers are on every page as a header and footer. The file name must be in the following format Lastname, Firstname_-_submissiontype (either essay, video, infographic, or audio). References do not count towards the 750 to 850 words.

Option 2:

An original video, infographic, audio recording of a song you have written, or any other creative, original submission that answers the scholarship questions. Maximum time should be five (5) minutes for any of these submissions. The file name must be in the following format Lastname, Firstname_-_submissiontype (can be essay, video, infographic, or audio). Videos and audio files must be submitted with a transcript either as captioned in the video itself or attached in a Word document in the relevant field of the application form.

Before Preparing Your Submission

You are expected to answer the scholarship questions. If your carefully crafted and original submission does not answer the questions, it will not be selected.

Your opinion matters, but you should conduct some research before you begin your submission to help you plan your answer. In particular, consider learning more about the PSAC or unions before you begin working on your submission. Re-read your written submission before you send it in.

Entries will be judged on: Depth of research, originality of expression and quality of argument. Top marks are reserved for those who indicate original thinking/analysis on the essay topic. Sources are to be used for information, not as a substitute for self-expression. All applicants must cite the sources they consult. Include only those you have consulted or reviewed yourself.

Applicants are permitted to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools as a learning aid to assist with revising and editing their application. However, the initial draft must be entirely the applicant’s original work. Any new ideas or content introduced by the AI during the revision or editing process must be clearly cited as AI-generated. Failure to properly acknowledge AI contributions may result in disqualification.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring their final submission reflect their own understanding, voice, and effort, with all AI assistance appropriately credited. Scholarship judges reserve the right to request applicants to explain their process for creating their submission, including the extent of AI tool usage.

Submissions that fail to cite the references consulted by the applicant will be unsuccessful. Any plagiarism from online or other sources is strongly discouraged and will likely lead to the disqualification of your submission.

Applicants must complete the online form. Applications will not be accepted by e-mail, fax, or printed copy unless an applicant is unable to apply through the portal. If an applicant cannot apply through the portal they must contact scholarships-bourses@psac-afpc.com.

You will require your (or parent’s) PSAC ID number and component or directly chartered local. If you require this information, please contact your union rep, local or PSAC regional office. Regional offices’ contact information is posted on the PSAC website.

A confirmation page will confirm your submission was received.

All submissions will be graded by external judges. Once the judges have made their recommendations, the Alliance Executive Committee (AEC) has final approval.

PSAC will contact applicants recommended to proceed to the final stage of selection. At this time, proof of registration to a recognized postsecondary institution and the applicant’s social insurance number will be required.

All applicants will be notified of their status by the end of October.