Loyalist College Sets New Milestone in Donor-supported Awards, Distributing $1.1 Million in Student Financial Support

Belleville, ON, Feb. 18, 2026 – Loyalist College has distributed $1.1 million in donor-supported bursaries and scholarships for the 2025–26 academic year, setting a new record for student financial support at the college. With two rounds of recipient selections complete and the final round underway, this milestone marks the college’s highest level of donor-supported funding in the college’s history. 

This increase in distributed funds was made possible through the combined support of donations to the college and interest earned on donations made to The Loyalist College Foundation’s endowment.  

“Students come to Loyalist motivated to build their future through education, but financial pressures can create challenges on their journey,” notes Loyalist College Director of Advancement Janine Foster. “Our donors recognize the power of education to change lives, and their generosity helps ease our learners’ financial stress so they can stay focused on their goals.” 

For individuals like Kristina McIntosh, a parent and Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant student who returned to school after years in the workforce, receiving a bursary helped ease the financial guilt and pressure she felt investing in her own education.  

“Returning to school was something I had wanted to do for over 10 years, but something always ‘came up,’” she notes. “As a parent, you save for your children’s post-secondary future; you don’t save for your own. It was hard enough changing jobs after over 25 years; now I had to figure out how to pay for it. When I found out that I was receiving a bursary, I felt like my hard work was seen. It helped ease the financial guilt of going back to school.” 

Foster notes that the need for financial support has increased significantly in recent years as students navigate the high cost of living while balancing school, work and family responsibilities. “Last year, Loyalist received 1,804 applications for support – 50 percent more than in 2023–24 and triple the number of applications we received in 2022–23.” 

As more students seek financial support, Loyalist has scaled its awards program to meet those needs. In 2022–23, the college disbursed $602,424 to students; last year, that figure rose to $1,049,224, marking a significant rise in support year-over-year. In addition, the average bursary amount has more than doubled since 2020. 

“Our Advancement team has responded to community needs by increasing both the number of students supported by bursaries and scholarships and the value of awards available,” adds Mark Kirkpatrick, President and CEO of Loyalist College. “As the broader student funding landscape continues to evolve, we know many learners are facing increasing financial pressure, and we believe those needs will only continue to grow. This level of support would not be possible without our remarkable community of donors. Their commitment reduces financial barriers and strengthens access to post-secondary education in our region. We are deeply grateful for the difference they make in the lives of our students and look forward to continuing this important work together in the years ahead.” 

Learn more about donor-supported bursaries and scholarships at Loyalist College. 

About Loyalist College

Loyalist College is built upon the lands governed by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. We affirm and thank the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Huron-Wendat nations for their continued caretaking of the land. At Loyalist, we empower our students with wraparound support services and hands-on training to succeed on any path they choose. Our academic programs are responsive and innovative, designed to solve pressing social and economic challenges and meet the evolving needs of our regional industry and community partners. Our graduates enter the workforce equipped with the knowledge they need to be better global citizens, and with future-focused skills to lead change in their fields. With a presence in Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope, Tyendinaga and Toronto, we believe our institutional responsibility extends beyond the classroom to seeing the big picture for the communities we serve. Our expertise in applied research and deep connections to local industry support economic development, to the benefit of businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers and innovators. Our commitment to decolonization, and the pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable world, means we hold ourselves accountable to the diverse perspectives, cultures and experiences that shape our communities. 

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Contact: 
Hannah Brown 
Director of Marketing and Communications 
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com