Three complementary awards are presented at the Governor General's History Award ceremonies to honour student achievement:

Kayak Kids’ Illustrated History Challenge: an annual illustrated story writing contest for student ages 10–14 offered by Kayak: Canada’s History Magazine for Kids.

• 2011 English winner: Divya Santhanam
  (University of Toronto School — Toronto, ON)
• 2011 French winner: Emilya Snow (Greenwood, NS)

Begbie Canadian History Contest: a rigorous Canadian history exam offered for students in Grades 11–12 by The Begbie Canadian History Society

• 2011 English winner: Jeffrey Tso (Burnaby North Secondary — Burnaby, BC)
• 2011 French winner: Eden Nzeyimana
  (Riverside Secondary School — Port Coquitlam, BC)

The Great Canadian Questions Essay Competition: an annual essay writing competition offered by Historica-Dominion Institute for youth between the ages of 17–25.

• 2011 English winner: Matthew Piva (St. Ann's Academy — Kamloops, BC)
• 2011 French winner: Caroline Beaulieu
  (Universitie du Quebec — Chicoutimi, QC)