1. Bur Oak Secondary School
Scholarship Guide
Bur Oak Secondary School

2. Session Goals Understand what a scholarship and bursary is
Learn about the different types of scholarships
Appreciate what the competition looks like
Explore how to become a competitive candidate
Understand the process for finding and applying to scholarships

3. Scholarships
What are they?

4. Scholarships
A monetary award given to a student based on merit (it must be earned)
meant solely for education (e.g. tuition, course texts, residence)
Awarded based on several criteria; the criteria differs from one scholarship to another
A minimal application fee is sometimes required

5. Scholarships tend to value...
Skills
Leadership and Initiative
Shown through your experiences and/or references
Community Involvement
Academics
Extracurricular Participation
sports, councils, teams, clubs

6. Types of Scholarships Entrance Scholarships Merit Scholarships
Based on your overall final grade 12 average OR your final average in your top six grade 12 “U” or “M” level courses
No application required
Merit Scholarships
Awarded to the most accomplished student, usually in the areas of academics, music, art, or athletics
An application is required
Citizenship
Based on your extracurricular involvement and overall contribution to the community, both in and out of school (e.g. clubs, teams, organizations)
Special Circumstances
Based on unique situations, such as your ability to overcome challenges, speak and study French, invest in the arts, practice a specific faith, etc.

7. Entrance Scholarships
School
Entrance Scholarships
Western
95%+ = $2500 x 4 years
% = $2000 x 1 year
% = $1000 x 1 year
McMaster
95%+ = $2500 x 1 year
% = $1000 x 1 year
% = $750 x 1 year
% = $500 x 1 year
Queen’s
90–94.9% = $ $2000 x 1 year
95%+ = $4000 x 1 year
Carleton
% = $1000 x 4 years
% = $2000 x 4 years % = $3000 x 4 years
95-100% = $4000 x 4 years
Brock
% = $750 x 1 year
% = $1000 x 4 years 90-92% = $2000 x 4 years + free iPad
93%+ = $3500 x 4 years + free iPad
York
95%+ = $3000 x 4 years
% = $2000 x 4 years
% = $1000 x 4 years
% = $500 x 4 years
U of T
92%+ = $2000 (many other scholarships that must be applied to)
All colleges and universities offer these
Students only receive ONE entrance scholarship
At Carleton, you must maintain a A- (10.0 GPA) to receive renewable scholarship
At Brock, must maintain an 80% at Brock to continue with renewable scholarship

8. Merit Scholarship: Athletics
Athletic financial awards offered by Canadian universities must follow the criteria established by Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS)
Scholarship maximum is capped at tuition and compulsory fees
Candidates are eligible for awards that will go beyond this (e.g. Academic awards or those provided by Sport Governing Bodies)
Contact the coach of the university team you are interested in about tryouts in Grade 12

9. Scholarship – Citizenship
TD Scholarships for Community Leadership
“We’re interested in hearing from students who have demonstrated consistent and outstanding dedication to solving a community problem or making their community a better place. For example, you may be cleaning up the environment, promoting social justice, or fighting child poverty.”
Awarded up to $ towards tuition EACH year
Awarded $7 500 EACH year for living expenses

10. 2012/13 Winners

11. 2012/13 Winners

12. 2012/13 Winners

13. Scholarship – Citizenship
Loran Scholar
“We are committed to the greatest of Canada's natural resources: our youth. We work to identify and support talented students who show promise of leadership and a strong commitment to service in the community. We fund these citizens to study on Canadian campuses, to the benefit of their future and ours.”
Tuition WAIVED at 1 of 25 partner universities
AND
$9000 stipend (renewable)
$8500 to initiate a summer project/internship

14. Special Circumstances – Travel!
The Amazing Travel Scholarship

15. Special Circumstances – Government
MERF Scholarship (for those interested in government)

16. Bursaries
What are they?

17. Bursaries
a monetary grant (lump sum of money) given to a student who is in need of financial assistance to continue their education 
Typically issued to students who demonstrate the greatest financial need (documentation required)
Bursaries DO NOT have to be repaid
Applications are sometimes required

18. Bursaries
Students who need financial assistance usually apply for OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program)
OSAP = money LOANED to students; money must be repaid, in installments, after graduation
Students who are ineligible for OSAP are generally strong candidates for bursaries

19. Creating your Profile
Who are you?
What do you stand for?

20. What can I do? Academic Achievement Community Involvement
Extra-Curricular Participation
Honour Roll
Meaningfully volunteer at schools, religious institutions, city initiatives
Student Councils
Subject Awards
Initiate or participate in charity work
e.g. join an organization (Canadian Cancer Society)
School Clubs - Zero Footprint - Computer Club
- Robotics Club
Music Competitions
Get involved in the community
e.g. Markham Youth Task Force, Empowered Student Partnerships (ESP)
Yearbook
Art Shows
Get involved at BOSS
e.g. Peer Tutoring, breakfast club, announcement team
Athletic Teams
Math Contests
Band and Choir
Science Olympics
Improv Team

21. The Winning Strategy Develop your skills
Leadership and initiative are learned behaviours
Get involved in your school and/or community and watch leaders in action. Emulate the behaviours you respect and find effective
Ask leaders questions and for opportunities
Join a council, take initiative, and use your role to create change
Become a director (this requires one year of council exp.)
Start building your résumé NOW
Keep it updated. Add honours and awards you win, extra- curricular activities, community volunteer work, and paid work
Having a résumé updated and ready allows you to better take advantage of opportunities that come up

22. The Winning Strategy
Make a difference and be an agent of change. This requires applying your skills and building your team.
Revitalize a club at B.O.S.S. or start a club with a team of people you know are invested
What happened to the school newspaper?
I have so many friends that love to dance, can I create a club and perform at assembles and school events?
Ask the right questions and talk to the right people
The Breakfast Club at B.O.S.S. has so much potential. Mr. Hurlington, I have an idea…
I love being a part of my church group. Ms. Lam, how can I take on more responsibility?
Mr. Kumar, I really enjoyed attending the 30 Hour Famine last year. Is anyone planning one for this year?

23. To be exceptional, you must have FUN
Those who win scholarships seldom win because they want the money, they win because they are passionate about a cause, are active citizens, and deserve it!
Concerned about social justice?
Start an awareness campaign as part of a council or club – use social media, the announcements, the caf projector, our school website, assemblies, and run lunch time events
Passionate about sports?
Step up as a team member and push your team’s practice regiment
Initiate a sporting campaign at school (talk to Athletic Council) or in the community (talk to the City of Markham) to get people active.

24. The Application Process
What to do

25. The Process www.scholarshipscanada.com www.studentawards.com
Sign up on scholarship websites to receive regular updates
Be aware of the different scholarships available
Follow guidance on Twitter
Check the guidance website for scholarship links and updates
Check the bulletin board outside the guidance office
When applying, be aware of scholarship timelines and requirements well in advance

26. Completing an Application
Be prepared to complete a personal statement or essay
Do not let this stop you!
Many scholarships go unawarded because students do not want to write 500 words. This is not a reason to lose hundreds of dollars!
Book a guidance appointment to discuss your questions or to clarify components of the application
We are here to guide you, but the responsibility to find and learn about scholarships is your own

27. Personal Statement or Essay
Assesses your writing and critical thinking skills
Is equivalent to an interview
Include only relevant details. Do not pad your application with extraneous unrelated details.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS Answer in 500 words or less: What leadership qualities do you possess and how do you strive to inspire others?
Describe what you consider to be your most significant contribution to date and its value to your school or larger community. Why was it important to you and to others ?
Describe a time you challenged yourself by taking on a task/project that was beyond your scope and capability at the time. Why did you do it? What happened?

28. Application Tips – Reference Letters
Give the referee all the information they need regarding the scholarship
Give the referee a copy of your résumé that lists your accomplishments
Give the referee TIME to write the letter; a couple of days is NOT enough time
Send thank you notes or s to people who write letters for you

29. Application Tips Tell the truth
If necessary, request a letter of recommendation from teachers and/or community members at least 1 month before submission
If necessary, notify your Guidance Counsellor at least 3 weeks ahead of the deadline

30. Application Tips Type the final copy of the essay
Application forms should me very neat and printed in black ink
For your own records, make copies of your application before mailing it out

31. “Word hard to get the best marks; work harder to make those marks the least interesting thing about you.” Westmount Guidance Department

32. Big Scholarships University of Toronto Book Award Loran Awards
TD Canada Trust Scholarship
Terry Fox Humanitarian Award
Toyota Earth Day Scholarship
Burger King Scholars Award