The Frank and Betty Woodhams Memorial Scholarship

A long-time Mensa Canada member, Frank Woodhams was very active in the Kitchener-Waterloo chapter. He loved his Mensa Canada family, and when he passed away in 2001, he bequeathed a trust fund to be administered by the Mensa Canada Scholarship Programme. Mr. Woodhams placed a high value on intelligence, and he wanted his gift to be used to further the dreams and educational goals of promising young minds.

The Frank & Betty Woodhams Scholarship is a memorial to Mr. Woodhams' 20-years with Mensa Canada, and his commitment to providing a stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members. This scholarship is also a recognition of a marriage partnership that allowed two people of modest means to helps students in the two fields that Mr. Woodhams loved: mathematics and computer science.

The Frank & Betty Woodhams Memorial Scholarship, has a projected lifespan of 50 years, and commenced in 2008. The scholarship amount will vary from year to year, according to the return received on the capital investments. The annual award will average $2500.

This scholarship will be awarded to an applicant who is enrolled full-time in either a Computer Science or Mathematics programme, fulfilling all other requirements as required for all Mensa scholarships. Please see our Rules page online for complete eligibility details.

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution full time IN THE FIELDS OF MATHEMATICS OR COMPUTING SCIENCE. Applicants must follow exactly the same application procedure as for all applicants for Mensa Canada scholarships. There is no separate application for the Woodhams scholarship.

All essays will be judged exactly the same way as for all Mensa Canada scholarships and all essays will be considered for all Mensa Canada Scholarships including the Woodhams, if applicable. Therefore, an applicant who is enrolled in a math or computing science program is eligible for the Woodhams scholarship as well as all other Mensa Canada Scholarships. However, an applicant enrolled in a zoology program would not be eligible for the Woodhams scholarship Please take careful note of the rules for submitting essays found online.

Rules

• 2023 - 2024 applicants must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants enrolled in a full-time program at a Canadian post-secondary institution, accredited by the applicable provincial Ministry of Education, during the 2023 - 2024 academic year.
• Full-time is defined as determined by the Canadian post-secondary institution which the applicant attends.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old on January 31, 2024.
• Awards are based on applicant's essay.
• Essays may be written either in English or in French. Only one essay is accepted per applicant.
• Only the finalists will be contacted, by phone or other means according to the information supplied in their application. Finalists will be required to provide official proof of enrollment and sign a written consent form indicating that the essay is entirely his or her own work and to allow the Mensa Canada Scholarship Programme's designated agents to use their name, photograph for publicity purposes. They may also be asked to provide proof of Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant status and up to two letters of reference.
• Application deadline is January 31, 2024. The results of the competition will be announced by mid-September, 2024.
• The Mensa Canada Scholarship Program includes one or more scholarships of $1000, and may also include Honourable Mentions, all of which are awarded in accordance with the dictates of the Board of Directors of the MCSP, as funding permits.
• Any claims made in the essay are subject to verification, including but not limited to: patents, publications, academic standings, and medical procedures.
• The decision of the judges is final.

How To Apply

• Write an essay describing your career goals in 250 words or less.
• Your essay should describe specific goals (academic, vocational, or career), and should contain explicit ideas and information.
• Your essay should include your course of study, which year/level you are in, and the post-secondary institution which you are attending during the 2023 - 2024 academic year.
• Describe any steps you have taken, relevant experience gained (e.g., paid or volunteer jobs, classes, honours, offices, organizations) and any difficulties you have overcome in the pursuit of your goal. State the steps by which you intend to achieve your goal.
• The essay text must not contain any form of your identity, such as your name or links to your personal blog.
• Applications must be sent using the form link located on the Submit Essay page. Essays received by any other means (e.g., links to web pages, by mail, or by fax) are automatically disqualified.
• Only one submission per applicant. Please do not email to ask if your essay has been received. Unless you receive a “Mail Undeliverable” message within 2-3 minutes, then your application has been submitted successfully.

Submit Your Application

1. Read the Rules page carefully for information on How To Apply.
2. Please answer all of the questions in the online embedded form:
3. Ensure that you include at least two types of contact information (phone and email).
4. Paste your essay into the text area in the embedded form (Question #15).
5. Use the online Submit button in the embedded form.
6. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address that you provided.
7. Deadline to submit your essay: January 31, 2024

Note: Only essays sent via the online embedded form will be accepted. PDF files, faxes, or essays sent by regular mail will be disqualified.