Michelle Julia Gringler Memorial Scholarship (OTSS)

Award created thanks to the generosity of Michelle Julia Gringler's family

Award Overview

Value of the award:
Variable
Number of awards:
Variable
Award frequency:
Annual
Level or program of study:
Undergraduate
Application Type:
Online Scholarship and Bursaries portal, accessible via uoZone.
Application Deadline:
November 3
Renewable:
No

Purpose of this Award

To provide financial assistance to students in need who demonstrate a keen interest in Jewish Canadian Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

The candidate must:

  1. be registered as a full-time or part-time student at the University of Ottawa
  2. have completed a minimum of two classes in the Vered Jewish Canadian Studies Program, with preference being given to students who have completed the Jewish Canadian Studies Option
  3. meet the Ontario residency requirement, as per OSAP rules
  4. demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid and Awards Service of the University of Ottawa
  5. demonstrate academic excellence
  6. demonstrate an active interest or involvement in the Jewish Community

How to Apply

Submitted in the Online Scholarship and Bursaries portal, accessible via uoZone, and must include:

  1. the Financial Questionnaire
  2. a non-official copy of the applicant's transcript
  3. a letter (max. 500 words) written by the applicant and detailing his/her interest and involvement in the Jewish community

About this Award

Michelle, who touched so many people during her all too short life, will always be that precious jewel, now and forever lost. We will always be looking for her around every corner for the rest of our lives.

Our beautiful daughter, who was born in Toronto on September 30, 1976, was twenty-six years old when she passed away unexpectedly on July 11, 2003, from a rare illness called TTP. At the time, she was in NewBrunswick on a business trip working as a Development Officer and Policy Coordinator for the Canadian International Development Agency of the Federal Government of Canada. 

Michelle had many accomplishments in her young life. She was on the honour role at high school. She graduated summa cum laude in Social Sciences, Hon. Criminology / Conc. Psychology and achieved a gold medal for being one of the top students at the University of Ottawa. She also obtained her master’s degree in criminology summa cum laude from the University of Ottawa. She had written her thesis, for which she devoted herself for over a year, and it was published in 2002. 

Michelle was an extraordinary person. She was a brilliant student, honest, intelligent, vivacious, and devoted to those she loved. She had an upbeat personality. Her glowing smile brightened everything around her. Her passion in life was to help people in need. Although Michelle did not get to fulfill her dreams, it will be our honour, with this scholarship fund to provide financial support to students studying in the Vered Jewish Canadian Studies Program. 

Michelle left a mother, father, brother, aunt, grandparents, soul mate, and many loving family members. In our hearts we will remember and cherish her as long as we live. God gave us a beautiful and precious gift, even if it was for only a very short time. She will remain forever young, bright, beautiful, and precious in our minds and in our hearts. 

The family members thank the Government of Ontario, which helped to create this fund through its generous matching contribution.