RBC Increases Number of Scholarship Awards for New Canadians

TORONTO, May 21, 2008 - With the June 9th deadline approaching, RBC is calling for entries for its second annual Scholarship for New Canadians Program. RBC has added five more scholarships this year, bringing the total number to 12, giving more students the opportunity to benefit from the program.

Twelve scholarships, each worth $2,000, will be awarded to individuals who have been through the immigration experience, graduated high school or CEGEP and are planning to pursue full-time studies at an accredited Canadian college or university this fall. The winners will be invited to an all-expense paid awards dinner in their honour, in Toronto later this year.

"In the first year of the program, we received over 700 applications and were impressed by the willingness of the applicants to share their personal experiences as newcomers to Canada and how they persevered during a significant time of change," said Mark Whitmell, director, Cultural Markets. "We are looking forward to continuing this tradition by recognizing and lending support to more new Canadians who intend to realize their dream through advanced education."

To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must have been born outside of Canada, and be either permanent residents or citizens of Canada. Applicants must have also achieved at least a 70 per cent average in their previous year of study. Scholarships will be awarded based on academic achievement and responses to three, 250-word essay questions on how immigration has helped shape Canada today.

Last year's scholarship winners, who have career aspirations in medicine, finance and the arts, originally came from China, South Africa and India. For more information about RBC Royal Bank Scholarship for New Canadians, including the application forms, please visit: www.rbcroyalbank.com/scholarships/newcanadians.

RBC's Scholarship Awards Program offers a diverse range of scholarship awards to help address the critical need for student funding across Canada. Scholarships are available for students studying in high school, pursuing undergraduate studies at college or university, and those entering professional programs in medicine or dentistry. Specialized scholarships are also available to New Canadians, Junior A hockey players, and Aboriginal students. For more information about RBC's Scholarship Program, please visit www.rbcroyalbank.com/scholarships.

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