Scholarship Program
Scholarship Program
Offering $16,000 in scholarships to full-time Canadian post-secondary students – including those entering their first year in Fall of the application year.
Our Scholarship Program offers four, $4,000 scholarships to eligible post-secondary students whose lives have been positively impacted by the direct selling industry.
Applications for 2024 have now closed and winners are featured below. Thank you to everyone who applied.
Applications will open again in March 2025.
2024 Scholarship Recipients
In 2024, DSA Canada awarded four, $4,000 scholarships to both deserving children and grandchildren of active independent sales consultants (ISCs) of DSA member companies and ISCs who themselves are students.
The four recipients of the 2024 DSA Canada Scholarships were:
- Steven Ilijanich, a 2nd year Bachelor of Education student at the University of Windsor
- Gabrielle Funk, a 2nd year Masters of Art Therapy student at Concordia University
- Diana Trujnikova, a 1st year Bachelor of Design in City Innovation at the University of Calgary
- Ethan Dart, a 1st year Engineering student at the University of British Columbia
About the Recipients
Steven Ilijanich
University of Windsor
CUTCO/Vector Marketing Canada
Steven is a second-year student in the Bachelor of Education program at the University of Windsor. He has taken his passion for education beyond the classroom, actively participating in community service and leadership roles. Steven’s own direct selling journey as an ISC for CUTCO/Vector Marketing Canada has seen him excel in sales and management, learning invaluable skills that have propelled both his personal and professional growth.
From achieving significant sales milestones to fostering team development, Steven’s direct selling experience has taught him the importance of persistence, self-belief, and continuous learning.
To learn more about Steven’s direct selling journey and his educational pursuits, check out his video submission.
Gabrielle Funk
Concordia University
Mary Kay Cosmetics
Currently pursuing a Master’s in Art Therapy at Concordia University, Gabrielle plans to use her education to start her own clinical practice. She attributes much of her inspiration to her mother, a dedicated Mary Kay consultant, whose passion for her work and entrepreneurial lifestyle influenced Gabrielle’s career aspirations.
The direct selling environment has enriched Gabrielle's family life, broadening their community connections and enhancing their personal care practices. Her mother's role as a consultant has been a foundational experience, showing Gabrielle the power of loving what you do.
For a deeper insight into Gabrielle’s aspirations and experiences, watch her video submission.
Diana Trujnikova
University of Calgary
Amway
Diana is set to begin her undergraduate studies in City Innovation at the University of Calgary. Inspired by her parents who have been with Amway since 2006, Diana's direct selling background has equipped her with essential social skills and the confidence to pursue her dreams, even in the face of personal challenges like her brother's cancer diagnosis.
Her experience in the direct selling community has not only strengthened her family's financial stability but also their interpersonal dynamics, fostering a supportive network of leaders who continuously inspire her. Diana's resilience and learned competencies make her a promising student and future innovator.
To discover more about Diana’s journey, view her video submission.
Ethan Dart
University of British Columbia
Arbonne International
Ethan is embarking on an Engineering degree at the University of British Columbia, fueled by the entrepreneurial spirit he observed in his mother, who successfully transitioned from a full-time job to managing her Arbonne business. This move was initially driven by a desire to spend more time with family and soon transformed into a rewarding career that supported the family, especially during critical times.
Ethan has inherited his mother's work ethic and resilience, learning first-hand the benefits of risk-taking and commitment. His academic excellence and leadership skills are evident in his school activities and his personal endeavours like teaching himself to sail.
Application Processes
STAGE 1: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE APPLYING
Scholarships can be awarded to:
- Active independent sales consultants (ISCs) with DSA Canada member companies, who themselves are students;
- Eligible children or grandchildren of active ISCs; or
- Eligible children or grandchildren of DSA Canada member company employees.
Students must be registered for the 2025/2026 school year in either a full-time:
- Degree or diploma program at a Canadian college or university; or
- Three-or-four-year CEGEP or technical school program.
The application is a two-stage process.
Students can apply for a scholarship if they are in the process of registering for the 2025/2026 school year, however, proof of registration must be submitted for all applicants who proceed to the second stage.
STAGE 2
Applicants selected to proceed to Stage 2 will be notified. Only advancing applicants will be contacted.
Submission requirements for Stage 2 include:
- Most recent college/university/high school transcript.
- Proof of enrollment in an accredited Canadian college or university program.
- Letter of reference from faculty member or teacher.
- Video application/testimonial.
Questions?
Contact us at info@dsa.ca.
DSA/DSEF reserves the right to terminate this program at any time. The Scholarship Review Committee (SRC) has the sole responsibility of selecting recipients based on the criteria as set forth in the description. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final. The application becomes the property of the DSA/DSEF. All questions about the scholarships should be directed to info@dsa.ca.