For 500 Tim Hortons® restaurant team members and their families, back-to-school comes with an extra reason to celebrate this year. For more than 20 years, the Tim Hortons® Scholarship Program has awarded millions of dollars towards post-secondary education for restaurant team members and their children and grandchildren.

 

This year, the Program awarded $500,000 through 500 scholarships across Canada (460) and the U.S (40)., giving recipients a boost as they return to their studies.

 

Fully funded by Tim Hortons Corporate, with local restaurant owners supporting the program, it reflects the brand's broader commitment to helping the next generation build the skills and confidence to succeed. For many young people, a job at a Tim Hortons® restaurant is a first chance to take on real responsibility and to build skills in teamwork, time management, and leadership that serve them well beyond the restaurant.

 

"Every year, this program highlights how much team members bring to Tim Hortons® restaurants across the country. They're not just students – they’re future leaders in their communities and many of them are the first in their families working toward a post-secondary degree. Helping them achieve their full potential is just one of the ways we are supporting them as a brand," says Naira Saeed, Chief Operating Officer of Tim Hortons.

 

Mark Angelini, a Tim Hortons® restaurant owner in Quebec whose restaurants employ 16 of this year's scholarship recipients, says the program is one of the most rewarding parts of being a Tim Hortons® restaurant owner.

 

"The Tim Hortons® Scholarship Program is a great way to invest in the futures of the team members in my restaurants and to honour them for all their hard work," says Mark. "It's a special time of year to come together and champion the people who bring my restaurants to life every day."

 

We asked some of this year's scholarship recipients to share what the award means to them:

 

"With this scholarship, I will be able to support my education to become a teacher, where I'll make an impact on many different lives. Your interest in me will help me take one step closer."

– Kaylin, Alberta

 

"Receiving this award means a lot to me. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, and this support will greatly ease the financial burden of my education, allowing me to focus more on my studies and working towards my goal of building a successful career."

– Giancarlo, British Columbia

 

"Thank you so much for awarding me this scholarship. This contribution will go directly toward my tuition, and it eases a significant financial burden for me and my family. It also motivates me to stay focused, work hard, and give back to the community in future, just as you have given to me."

– Precious, Nova Scotia

 

"As a woman studying Construction Engineering Technology, this scholarship encourages me to continue breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry. It motivates me to pursue excellence, represent women in construction with confidence, and inspire others to believe that they, too, can achieve their goals."

– Accolade, Ontario

 

"Working at a Tim Hortons® restaurant has been more than just a job. It has helped shape who I am today by building my confidence, teaching me valuable life skills, and encouraging me to grow both personally and professionally."

– Mercy, Saskatchewan