Scholarships, Bursaries, and Financial Assistance



Financial Resources For Post-Secondary Students

(Disclaimer: Check regularly the Scholarships Tab on HWDSB commons() for updates as well as the applicable scholarship/financial aid web sites – due dates and criteria can change at any time.)

Scholarships

Scholarships are financial awards that are usually based on academics, extracurricular activities, leadership and sports. Specific criteria vary by award.

Originality – What makes you stand out?

Community Service – Do you give back?

Leadership – Did you found a new club or organization?

Talent – Do you have vision and fresh thinking?

Identity – Does culture, gender, special needs, geography or other factors set you apart?

Some scholarships require a nomination, and limit the number of applicants a school can recommend. School-nominated scholarships(completed applications) must be submitted to your guidance counsellor two weeks prior to the posted deadline. An in-school committee, will then review and select the candidate that will be chosen for nomination. You will then be notified if you are selected.

TIPS:

1. Prioritize awards based on your passion

2. Research the award

3. Be clear and concise

4. This is not your resume- Moreover, keep in mind that members of the scholarship committee do not know you – you are only as appealing as you appear on paper.

5. Check structure, spelling and grammar

6. Find references- Be considerate and give your chosen referee at least two weeks’ notice to prepare the recommendation, provide information about the scholarship criteria!

7. Follow the instructions

8. Don’t miss deadlines

Make sure your application is well-written and provides a good overview of what you have accomplished!

Awards for Community Service, Social Justice & Cultural Work

YMCA Peace Medal Youth Category: For people and groups who demonstrate values of peace and community building

RBC Distinguished Citizen of the Year Youth Category: One youth per year who make an impact in their community

YWCA Women of Distinction Youth Category: One young woman per year who has made a unique and exemplary contribution to the community development.

John C Holland Award: Celebrate cultural heritage of our community, with a focus on contributions of African-Canadians in social, economic, and cultural life of our city.

James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award – A $2,500 award for up to six Aboriginal youth for their creative writing talent. Junior (12 years and under) and Senior (13-18 years)

Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Youth Achievement: A $2,000 scholarship to help with postsecondary education for youth leaders who preserve, protect and promote heritage.

Popular Large Scholarships:

• TD Scholarship for Community Leaders

• Loran Scholarship

– School sponsorship, up to 3 per school population

– Direct pool applicants as well

• 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

Some scholarships are automatic—NO application is required

• Admission scholarships based on grades or can be program specific

• Higher academic averages may increase scholarship value

• Some are even renewable

General Resources for Post-Secondary Financial Aid:

– create an account

– create an account

(click “students” then “scholarships and financial assistance”)

electronicinfo.ca (searchable scholarship data base for university-bound students)

ontariocolleges.ca (click “choose a college” then “paying for college”)

– claims to be the largest database

– recommended by the past students as their site of choice

canlearn.ca & fundyourfuture.ca – comprehensive web sites providing post-secondary financing info.

macleans.ca/oncampus(click on “scholarships”, search by keyword such as business)

hwdsb.on.ca/awards- monthly calendar

- new addition 2015

➢ individual university & college web sites

➢ places of employment (your own or your parents’), professional organizations

➢ community service agencies

➢ insurance companies and banks(TD, RBC, Scotia Bank, CIBC) & corporations

Millions in Canadian scholarship dollars going unclaimed

By Gail Johnson | Pay Day – Fri, 4 Oct, 2013 3:31 PM EDT



Loans

If you will require financial assistance, you are encouraged to apply for OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program), which is a government loan. Then you are automatically considered for a Canada Student Loan when they apply for a provincial or territorial student loan. If approved, you don’t have to start repaying the loan until six months after you complete college or university

Making It Easier To Apply For a Student Loan

The province has streamlined student aid by making the application process easier and cutting red tape. This will help students focus more on their studies. Changes to the process means:

❖ Students will fill out fewer forms for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and Student Access Guarantee (SAG) funds

❖ After completing an OSAP application, students will also be automatically evaluated for SAG funding

❖ financial aid added benefits for students with physical, mental, and learning disabilities

You apply online for this loan, AFTER you have accepted an offer at university or college (the online application isn’t available until late April/early May each year) as the information is sent to the Financial Aid Office of the school you plan to attend.

30% Off Ontario Tuition

Money you don't have to repay for students entering an Ontario public college, university or private postsecondary school from high school. If you’ve already applied for OSAP, you’ll be automatically considered for up to 30% Off tuition grant, too! For the 2014-2015 academic year, potentially: $1780 for university and college degree students $820 for college diploma and certificate students. For complete details, go to

Grants and Bursaries (usually based on financial need)

Bursaries are financial awards based on financial need, although academic achievement is sometimes considered as well. Most bursaries cannot be accessed until you become a student at college or university. Once enrolled, you may go to the Financial Aid/Student Awards office to request bursary applications. Please note that you may be ineligible to apply for some bursaries if you have not also applied for OSAP (being awarded OSAP funds doesn’t necessarily matter). So, be smart and apply for OSAP!

In the past, the Hamilton Community Foundation accepted bursary applications based on financial need. For information: for bursaries such as Ron and Gina Fraser Fund –about $75,000 for one student who demonstrates extreme financial hardship, to attend McMaster Bachelor of Health Sciences and McMaster medical program, if accepted.

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