Raptors star Fred VanVleet partners with U of T for new scholarship

Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet continues to impress as a leader in Canada. This time, he is going a lot farther than hitting jump shots and grabbing rebounds. He’s making a positive impact off the court by providing educational opportunities for the next generation to take advantage of.

The Raptors stud announced that he would be starting a new scholarship with Rotman Commerce at the University of Toronto. The scholarship will be awarded to a domestic Black or Indigenous student, based on financial need and academic achievement. The scholarship will prioritize a student looking to study management.

You do not need to be from Toronto to know the name Rotman, as it is one of the most dignified commerce programs in the world. The Fred VanVleet scholarship covers the entire tuition cost of the program, which is $7,100 for the first year and $16,900 for each of the remaining three years.

On top of covering the entire $57,800 tuition cost, the scholarship will also provide a $1,000 stipend each year to cover the cost of books. VanVleet’s commitment to fostering a sense of drive and yearning for academic excellence in prospective students is just one of the many reasons Raptors fans should be overjoyed that he is still in Toronto.

Toronto Raptors star Fred VanVleet has a new scholarship.

Along with the financial support the scholarship awardee is receiving, VanVleet has also committed to mentoring the student. He expressed how important the mentorship aspect of the program was to him.

“Mentorship is big, and it’s a big thing that you learn the later you get in your life,” VanVleet said. “Time goes and you realize how important it is. Just having somebody in your corner who can kind of guide you, give you that reassurance, or direction in certain areas that you may need to improve.”

Fred VanVleet has made many contributions to the City of Toronto.

VanVleet is making a name for himself as a star off the court, much like his teammate Pascal Siakam and team president Masai Ujiri. This September, he teamed up with Penny Appeal Canada to start the Heart of the City program.

The program looks to support at-risk communities around the city. The Heart of the City project distributed 1,000 school bags to students, with plans of doing more in the future.

VanVleet has taken a step up as an emerging All-Star on the floor this season, but his work off the floor is what makes him the leader he is. We’re truly lucky to have him.