Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards

Ancaster High SchoolOctober 1st, 2013

What is the Difference?

Scholarships– Marks are most important– Something you “win” by competing

Bursary– Financial need most important– It is more like a “gift” from a community member

How Do I Pay for School?

How do I pay for tuition at university or college?

What about books, housing, transportation, food?

Types of Scholarships

Entrance scholarships– Renewable vs. non-renewable– Guaranteed vs. application required– School based vs. community based– Merit based vs. needs based– Contests

Scholarships Based on Merit Requiring an Application

These scholarships are the focus of this

seminar because they require time, planning,

and often other people

Step 1

Build an academic and personal record– This process has already begun and should not

stop until you are finished with college or university– Grades may be important in high school, college,

and university– Community involvement may play a key role in

scholarships– Leadership may help you out-compete other more

academic candidates

Step 2

Be prepared– Start researching NOW and don’t stop. New

opportunities may be just around the corner or they may be just about to expire

– Create a resume that includes all your areas of strength

– Build your list of references from a variety of areas, who knows specific things about you in various capacities

Step 3

Meet your deadlines – apply early Build in time for:

– Letters of reference to be written– Mailings, required documents to be produced

Get a friend/adult to PROOFREAD Don’t make your poor planning someone

else’s emergency!

Step 4

Be appreciative

Say thanks to those who were a part of your application… even if you don’t get selected.

How to Find These Scholarships(University Based)

www.electronicinfo.ca

Go to the university brochures/websites and look under “scholarships and financial aid”

McMaster University http://sfas.mcmaster.ca/entrance.html

University of Toronto http://apply.utoronto.ca/adm-awards/html/awards/

mainawdpage.htm

How to Find These Scholarships(Community Based)

Try one of these website:

Scholarships Canada– http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/

Student Awards– http://www.studentawards.com/

How to Find These Scholarships(Community Based)

Ask your parents/guardians– Employer?– Service group, community organizaton?– Religious affiliation?

From the teaching community…– http://www.osstf.on.ca/Default.aspx?DN=92f47271-

6514-494f-8911-28a0ed2e55fe&cat=services

How to Find These Scholarships

Check the Ancaster High School Website:

Scholarships by Month

Popular Large Scholarships

TD Scholarship for Community Leaders University of Toronto National Scholarship

– School sponsorship only, 1 per school

Western University National Scholarship– School sponsorship only, 4 per school

Queens’ Chancellor’s Scholarship– School sponsorship only, 1-2 per school

Schulich Leader Scholarships (STEM)– School sponsorship only, 1 per school

School Sponsorship

Many of the very large scholarship funds ask schools to choose a school-sponsored applicant

Deadlines to seek school sponsorship are weeks before the actual scholarship deadline

Check the Student Services’ website and listen for announcements

The Reference Letter

Make sure the person writing the letter:– Knows the criteria (photocopy the criteria page for them)– Matches the criteria! (Subject teacher? Coach?

Employer?)

Provide the writer with:– a list of your accomplishments– an idea of what you expect in that letter– a copy of your resume

Scholarship Tips

Don’t be afraid to apply

BUT make sure you do fit the criteria

If you want the money, put in the time– Hourly wage vs scholarship potential– How many hours of working at your job would it

take to earn the $$ offered in the scholarship?

More Scholarship Tips

READ instructions carefully!

Be EXACT in the format, quantity of words, presentation of the application– Extra does not mean better

Make a GREAT impression

Who Can Help?

Your Guidance Counsellor

Other teachers, coaches, group leaders

Family

Who Can Help?

Other scholarship WINNERS Scholarship Forums

– http://forums.studentawards.com/yaf_postst32066.aspx

People in the community (especially those involved with community events/groups)