FINANCIAL AID & RESOURCES WORKSHOP Westmount Secondary November 3, 2015

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? Scholarships  Marks are most important  Something you “win” by competing or achieving a certain average Bursary  Financial need most important  It is more like a “gift” for a need

HOW MUCH WILL SCHOOL COST? Each university or college requires tuition and fees. These can vary between institutions and areas of study. Each institution will also charge “student fees” that are in addition to tuition. Books, food, housing, parking…. Are all extra.

COSTS CAN VARY… 5. Business & Commerce $8,145.00$1,145.59$9, Computer, Electrical Software Eng. $9,664.71$1,135.60$10, McMaster University Queen’s University 5. Business & Commerce $14,847.69$1,153.87$16, Computer, Electrical Software Eng. $10,860.90$1,074.40$11,935.30

TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES  Require a nomination vs. direct applications  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 workshop 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(2 days for transcripts requests please) Get a friend/adult to PROOFREAD. Application must be perfect! Don’t make your poor planning someone else’s emergency!

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  a copy of the scholarship application  an idea of what you expect in that letter  a copy of your resume

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 Go to the university research website and look under “finance fees & scholarships” Einfo as well as individual university websitesEinfo McMaster University  University of Toronto  Go to the Ontario Colleges and look under “paying for college”  college scholarships as well as individual college websites college scholarships

HOW TO FIND THESE SCHOLARSHIPS (COMMUNITY BASED) Try a website designed for scholarship searches such as: Scholarships Canada  Student Awards 

HOW TO FIND THESE SCHOLARSHIPS (COMMUNITY BASED) Ask your parents/guardians  Employers may offer scholarships.  Service groups or community organizations may have scholarships for children of members.

HOW DO WE HELP FIND SCHOLARSHIPS? Check the Westmount Student Services Website:  Start with the Scholarships and Resources tab Student Services websiteStudent Services website  Also check the board website Awards and BursariesAwards and Bursaries

COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TD Scholarship for Community Leaders  Direct applicant University of Toronto National Scholarship  School sponsorship 1 per school, or direct applicant 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 watch for announcements

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(on paper)-Write about something that will make you stand out! BE ORIGINAL! You want the judge to remember you!

WHO CAN HELP? Your Guidance Counsellor Other teachers, coaches, group leaders Family

SAMPLE ESSAY QUESTIONS Describe a time you challenged yourself by taking on a task/project you felt was beyond your scope and capability. Why did you do it? What happened? Describe an activity where you led a group of people towards a common goal. How did you engage others? What difficulties did you encounter? What were the outcomes?

WHO CAN HELP? Other scholarship WINNERS Scholarship Forums People in the community (especially those involved with community events/groups)

WESTMOUNT GRADUATION AWARDS HWDSB Community School based Provincial Fill out your Award Candidate Profile on the Student Services website under graduation info tab after Grad Assembly in May