Montreal, September 20, 2017 For the 20th consecutive year, Hydro-Québec is supporting Quebec's most promising student-athletes by awarding 33 individual bursaries of $2,000 $ or $4,000 $ as part of the Hydro-Québec Bursary Program within the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ).
Four types of scholarships were awarded this year: the Academic Excellence scholarship, given to 12 recipients to recognize noteworthy academic results, the Academic and Athletic Success Support scholarship, given to 19 recipients to encourage the successful balance of sports and studies, a Perseverance scholarship to recognize exemplary attitude during difficult circumstances, and a University Recruitment scholarship, which will encourage a high-level student-athlete to pursue their studies and athletic career at a Quebec university.
«We are very happy and fortunate to be able to count on partners as loyal as Hydro-Québec. The Hydro-Québec Scholarship Program has proven its worth for 20 years, and an impressive number of Olympians, Paralympians, and future leaders have been supported by the company. Established in 1997, this program primarily supports student-athletes identified as »Relève" or "Élite," aged 11 to 22 on average, to intervene from the emergence of their talent, long before they are known and recognized. Hydro-Québec has supported over 400 student-athletes in the last 20 years," stated Mr. Claude Chagnon, President of the FAEQ.
Some 18 former Hydro-Québec scholarship holders distinguished themselves by participating in the recent Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including: Eugénie Bouchard in tennis, Jennifer Abel, Meaghan Benfeito, and Roseline Filion in diving, Katerine Savard in swimming, Antoine Valois-Fortier in judo, Dorothy Yeats in Olympic wrestling, and Jonathan Vermette in wheelchair basketball.
Eligibility Criteria
The student-athlete must enroll in a post-career project, which often translates into pursuing secondary, college, or university studies. In addition to being identified as a Rising Star or Elite by their sports federation, the student-athlete must be eligible to represent Canada at the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, or World Championships in their sport. Hydro-Québec awards at least one scholarship to a student-athlete among the recipients from each of the company's operating regions.
