Scholarship Planning 101 Presented by: Carolyn Albanese Denison Guidance A Dr. J.M. Denison S.S. Presentation

An Overview Scholarships: facts, terms, factors, examples General information about scholarships and bursaries, including key websites What students can do now

How much does a year of post- secondary education cost? Median total expenditures in Canada, per annum: $18,000-$20,000 This includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board and other non-educational expenditures Tuition fees vary from place to place -the average Diploma programs - $2,400 Bachelor’s Degree programs - $6,100 Sources: Stats Canada, 2007; CUDO reports from various universities, 2011; ontariocolleges.ca – College Tuition fees report, 2012.

Some facts regarding post- secondary fees The average bachelor’s degree debt from Ontario: $22, 800 The average Ontario college graduate’s debt: $14,500 about 1 in 5 students who graduate from university or college incur a debt of $25,000 or more! Almost 1 in 4 students who graduated in Ontario with a bachelor’s degree from the class of 2000 had paid off their government student loans within two years of graduation Source: Statistics Canada

So, what are students’ funding sources? employment prior to starting post-secondary schooling as well as during post-secondary schooling funding received from family: repayable and non- repayable government student loans investment income (i.e. RESP) private loans or lines of credit scholarships and bursaries

Scholarship Terms – “Awards” Award Given in recognition of outstanding achievement Can be in the form of books, plaques, subscriptions or money A monetary award is usually called a bursary or a scholarship

Scholarship Terms – “Bursaries” Bursary/Grant Non-repayable grant of money Usually awarded based on financial need, but academic achievement could be considered Usually the applicant must provide detailed documentation describing his/her financial situation Students usually apply for bursaries in summer of having graduated

Scholarship Terms – “Scholarships” Scholarship Non-repayable sum of money awarded to help finance further education Most based on merit in areas ranging from academic achievement to athletics Usually not based on financial need Students apply in their Grade 12 year

Sources of Bursaries, Awards & Scholarships At High School Graduation At High School Graduation Post-secondary InstitutionPost-secondary Institution Entrance Entrance College / Trades College / Trades University University Sponsored: businesses, clubs, corporations…Sponsored: businesses, clubs, corporations…

Graduation Awards Graduation Awards Given to students at the time of their graduation: based on staff nominations and/or academic achievements Based on different criteria - e.g. History, French, for top marks in the respective subject areas, school leadership, volunteering, etc. Several are monetary and are school-sponsored as well as community-sponsored. For example, Denison Spirit Award, Denison Social Justice Award, New Roads Chevrolet Award, Aramark Foods Award, Rotary Club Award

Examples Staff: Eric Knabe Memorial Award: given to a student involved in technology and helpful in that area Community: Vince’s Achievement Award: given to one male and one female demonstrating leadership skills, positive interaction with staff and community, going to a post-secondary institution and has a 75% average or better

Entrance Awards Usually automatically given to students based on academic achievement The higher the average, the more money a student will receive Entrance awards vary from post-secondary institution to post-secondary institution Some colleges and universities will continue to give a student an award each year, provided he or she maintains a certain academic average The award money is used as a credit towards the students’ tuition fees

Entrance Awards cont’d In many cases, if a student’s average increases into “the next bracket” by the time of his/her final grades, it is quite possible that the college or university will increase the entrance scholarship to reflect the new academic average!

College and University Awards Colleges and universities offer scholarships in addition to entrance awards Criteria may vary, so ensure applying for the right scholarship Deadlines vary as well – so keep those different deadlines in mind! examples: U of T National Scholarship Award – due November Queen’s University Chancellor’s Scholarships – due December University of Western Ontario Scholarships – due March

College and University Scholarships Scholarship opportunities can be found: on the individual institution’s website at scholarship websites / databases such as: – Guidance and Career Education Viewbooks in Guidance also have scholarships information

Student Awards continued…

Canlearn continued…

More OSCA…

OSCA

yrdsb – apprenticeships example

Financing an Apprenticeship

Given by corporate and community sponsors (e.g. Town of Newmarket, Newmarket Horticultural Society, Wendy’s, TD Canada Trust, Toyota Earth Day). Example TD Canada Trust - $70,000 Deadline: Fall Criteria: outstanding community leadership and academics Value: $ Up to $10,000 for tuition per year $ 7,500 a year toward living expenses Plus: An offer of paid summer employment Mentorship Opportunities Invitations to annual gatherings, networking opportunities and events Number of scholarships available: 20 Community/Corporate Awards

How do selection committees grant awards? Generally speaking, selection committees are looking for: academic achievement originality and passion demonstration of leadership and initiative demonstration of creativity/innovation special areas * an overall well-rounded student who is positive within the school and community and has been an agent of change

*Special areas include: year of study – first year, graduate studies special circumstances – orphan, brain injury, etc. financial need academic average heritage field of study – e.g. business, humanities, etc. affiliation - companies, religious, environmental location – where you live and go to school now

It’s never too early to plan and get involved – parents can encourage their children to try leadership roles within the school and community Grade 9 students should begin keeping track of participation in events, bands, clubs, etc. Students should keep copies of letters of reference Guidance recommends that students use the PORTFOLIO method to keep track of all letters, certificates, training notes, medals, etc. – this begins in the Career Studies course Student scholarship planners are available in the Guidance Office: PLANNERS are like graphic organizers – students can chronologically keep track of their involvements, achievements, etc. Some suggestions…

Guidance Services Has scholarship planners (graphic organizers) and awards lists that indicate which larger scholarships are due and when Guidance presents this information to Grade 10 students in the Careers Studies classes as well as when we meet with them one- one-one in Grade 11: students are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities and keep track of them Guidance informs Grade 12 students during Fall and Spring assemblies (How to Apply... And Graduating, Now What?) Free transcripts can be ordered in Guidance for scholarship and bursary applications

What can students do starting from Grade 9? Stay organized and plan ahead. Keep any documents, letters of reference, thank-you notes, etc. in a portfolio for future application reference. Ensure that you obtain letters of reference that “speak” to your skills, qualities, abilities, leadership, creativity, etc.

What can students do starting from Grade 9? Be involved in bands, clubs, sports and other activities, both within the school community and outside of it Be aware what you post on social network sites – even if you close a site and scrub it, there are digital dirt trackers hired to look for potential disqualifications

In Grade 12, students should… Research: which awards match your criteria??? Apply, apply, apply! And know your deadlines! See your Guidance counselor for feedback on the process, and see your counselor early! Be clear and concise in your application – have it proof read before submitting it Remember: discuss your experience, don’t list it! It’s not a re-write of your resume!

Selection committees are looking for answers to… What are the broader implications of your volunteer work and leadership roles at school and within the community? How have your experiences enhanced your life and the lives of others? How does the above fit into your long-range plans? And perhaps other questions….

A final word... Continue to encourage your children to pursue their academic goals and help them stay organized when researching scholarship opportunities.