Scholarships Awards and Bursaries Funding your PostSecondary Education
Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries Funding your Post-Secondary Education
Choices after High School › University – 4 years for an Undergraduate Degree �Tuition and extras can cost approximately $8000 per year � College – 1 -2 year programs for a Certificate or Diploma �Tuition and extras = $4000 per year (estimate) � Private Colleges – same programming as colleges, but not provincially subsidized, so they cost more money � Directly into Workforce
Funding Options � Personal/Family Savings (e. g. RESPs) � Scholarships � Awards � Bursaries � Student Loans � Student Line of Credit at a bank
Scholarships � Traditionally, based on academic merit or achievement � Today, it can be used as a term to describe any financial prize for education
Bursaries/Grants � Based on financial need � May also have academic requirements, but their main purpose is to support students without the means to afford school otherwise � When applying, you may need to show why you need assistance, and where your need is greatest
Awards � Outstanding achievements or contributions to the community
Types of Scholarships/Awards › University Entrance Scholarships �Some need an application, others you may be automatically considered based on your grades › National/Provincial/Local Scholarships › In-School Scholarships �Scholarships given throughout the school; can be in partnership with community organizations (e. g. District Authority Scholarship, Mission Community Foundation, etc. ) › Community Organization Scholarships �E. g. Your family’s bank �Parent/guardians’ employers/companies they work for �Religious or faith-based groups �Parents/Grandparents who are or were part of the Canadian Forces �Medical conditions that may qualify you for a specialized funding for post-secondary education
Student Loans � � � Taking out a student loan refers to borrowing money from the government to help pay for your education Interest will be paid by the provincial and federal governments while you are attending school full-time You must be enrolled in at least 60% of a full-time course load Repayment will begin six months after your studies end You are responsible for paying the total amount loaned to you Student Aid BC – website: has a loan repayment calculator that can help students prepare for repayment
Bank Line of Credit � Generally recommended if a student loan application is not successful � Similar to a student loan � Some banks will have very fair and helpful re -payment options for students
Applying for Scholarships & Bursaries � What you will need: › Personal Statement/Autobiographical Essay – › › tell us about yourself, why you want this scholarship and how it will help you achieve your goals Resume Cover Letter Reference Letters (usually one academic reference and one character reference) In-Progress Transcripts (studenttranscripts. gov. bc. ca)
Applying for Scholarships & Bursaries � What you may need: › Application-specific requirements (essay, portfolio, interview, etc. ) › Parent/Guardian tax returns
Scholarship Applications – Step 1 DO RESEARCH � Take the time to look for scholarships within your school, community, post-secondary institutions, and organizations
Scholarship Applications – Step 2 READ THE CRITERIA If you think you remotely qualify, keep the application information. � If you do not qualify at all, simply move on to the next one. Manage your time appropriately � � *Tip: Keep a log of the scholarships you want to apply for, their due dates, checklist of requirements, and amount.
Scholarship Applications – Step 3 SORT THE AWARDS � Gather and read info for all the scholarships you qualify for. Some will require you to meet 100% of the criteria � Sort your applications by how well you meet the criteria. � Focus your time & effort on ones you feel you have the best chance at
Scholarship Applications – Step 4 MAKE CALENDAR OF DEADLINES � Not all scholarships have the same application deadlines. � Ensure your application is received at least 4 days before the deadline. � Ensure all supporting documents are also prepared well in advance
Scholarship Applications – Step 5 GATHER REFERENCE LETTERS Contact your references and supply them with details about the scholarships � Ask that their letter addresses the scholarship criteria � Give your references at least 2 weeks and plenty of time to customize their letters � � *If you are applying to more than one scholarship, you will need lots of letters of reference. You may ask your referees to address the letter “To Whom It May Concern” OR if you would like a very personalized letter, make sure to provide them with the specific intros e. g. “Dear Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Team, ”
Scholarship Applications – Step 6 CREATE A SCHOLARSHIP PORTFOLIO � Each application will ask for different supporting documents - (e. g. Resume, personal statement or autobiography essay, examples of work, volunteer/community achievements) � Create a portfolio and easily obtain the documents you need to fit the application (e. g. Binder of supporting documents) � Create copies of everything � E. g. Have a “master” copy of your resume or personal statement saved. Then, you can edit and change it later to fit specific criteria for different awards/applications
Scholarship Applications – Step 7 TRANSCRIPTS Most applications will require a copy of your transcripts from high school or post-secondary if you are already attending one. � Check whether you need original copies and plan ahead as these can take time to be mailed out � You can access your unofficial/in-progress transcripts online at: studenttranscripts. gov. bc. ca (this will be the case with most of your scholarships next year, you can make as many copies as you like) � � � You will first need to create a BCe. ID account, and then register for Student Transcripts through that (you will need your PEN number) Note: this is also how you will be sending your transcripts to post-secondary schools next year!
Scholarship Applications – Step 8 PROOFREAD Proof your application carefully and ask someone else to proofread it, too. � Make sure your application looks professional and pay attention to details. It helps to make your application easy to reference and fast to read �
Scholarship Applications – Step 9 TRACK YOUR APPLICATIONS Keep a copy of all applications you send and track which you’ve sent on what days. � Ensure your applications arrive before the deadline! �
What Scholarship Committees are Looking For: Detailed information about the chosen pursuits � Motivation and seriousness of purpose � Creativity and originality of letter � Leadership skills � Ability to get along with others � Desire to learn and achieve � � *Make sure to highlight these in your cover letter
MSS SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITE � http: //www. MSSscholarshipinfo. weebly. com � Alison Evans – Portable 4 � Check website next year for Grade 12 Getting Started Guides, available scholarships, Ms. Evans’ Workshop Hours, and Office Hours for extra help with your applications
Other Financial Aid Websites � � � � Scholar Tree – https: //scholartree. ca/ create a profile with all of your information and it will find you scholarships you are eligible for Scholarships Canada: https: //www. scholarshipscanada. com/ Yconic: https: //yconic. com/ Student Aid BC: https: //studentaidbc. ca/ Canada Student Loan: http: //www. canlearn. ca School Finder: https: //www. schoolfinder. com/ Education Planner BC: https: //www. educationplannerbc. ca/ BC School Sports: https: //www. bcschoolsports. ca/
Questions?
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