1. Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards Ancaster High School October 1 st, 2013

2. 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

3. How Do I Pay for School? How do I pay for tuition at university or college? What about books, housing, transportation, food?

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

5. Scholarships Based on Merit Requiring an Application These scholarships are the focus of this seminar because they require time, planning, and often other people

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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!

9. Step 4 Be appreciative Say thanks to those who were a part of your application… even if you don’t get selected.

10. 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 http://apply.utoronto.ca/adm- awards/html/awards/mainawdpage.htm

11. How to Find These Scholarships (Community Based) Try one of these website: Scholarships Canada – http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/ http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/ Student Awards – http://www.studentawards.com/ http://www.studentawards.com/

12. 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=92f4727 1-6514-494f-8911-28a0ed2e55fe&cat=services http://www.osstf.on.ca/Default.aspx?DN=92f4727 1-6514-494f-8911-28a0ed2e55fe&cat=services

13. How to Find These Scholarships Check the Ancaster High School Website: Scholarships by Month

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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?

18. 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

19. Who Can Help? Your Guidance Counsellor Other teachers, coaches, group leaders Family

20. Who Can Help? Other scholarship WINNERS Scholarship Forums – http://forums.studentawards.com/yaf_postst32066.aspx http://forums.studentawards.com/yaf_postst32066.aspx People in the community (especially those involved with community events/groups)