SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS AND BURSARIES Show me the money… SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS AND BURSARIES

Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries

Riffel Graduates of 2015 were offered $167, 250.00 in scholarship money.

Here are some interesting facts… you may not know *There is an award for you - there is over $50 million in entrance scholarships available *You don’t need to have high marks - most awards do not require an academic average at all *Keep searching throughout the year - awards have deadlines throughout the year *You can’t win an award if you don’t try - many awards have few applications *Get involved in your community – many awards require some school or community service *Look beyond colleges and universities for awards - there are over 1,000 award providers; the majority of which are companies, associations and other non-educational organizations

Scholarship Terms Award - An award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement. Awards may be in the form of books, plaques, subscriptions or money. A monetary award is usually called a scholarship or bursary. Bursary - A non-repayable grant of money. Bursaries are awarded primarily based on financial need, but academic achievement is also considered. Usually, the applicant must provide detailed documentation describing their financial situation when applying for a bursary. Scholarship - A non-repayable sum of money awarded to a student to help finance further education. Most scholarships are based on merit in areas ranging from academic achievement to athletics. Usually, scholarships are not based on financial need. Entrance Award/Scholarship - A scholarship or award given to a student entering his/her first year at a post-secondary institution. Also referred to as an Admission Award.

TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS: 1. Academic 2. Leadership 3. Community Involvement 4. Sports 5. Essay 6. Special Groups 7. Financial Need 8. Blended

Some Scholarship Criteria These are important factors in your scholarship search. It is worth taking the time to consider these when doing your search. Year of Study (entrance, first, second, third, fourth, final year, graduate) Special Circumstances (disabilities, family member of a war vet.) Financial Need (pertains to your income, check with the scholarship administrator for more details) Academic Average (usually your last year of study marks) Heritage (Aboriginal, Chinese, Polish, etc.) Field of Study (the program you’re interested or currently in) Affiliation (companies, religious groups, unions, and associations, that you or your family are affiliated with) Activities (sports, religious, academic, leadership, community involvement, etc.) Location (where you live and go to school)

How do students find and win scholarships, awards and bursaries?

1. Compile an activity-based resume. Use only the last 3-4 years Include all contacts if possible Organize them into activity areas: Leadership - Volunteer Community - Employment Extra-curricular clubs/sports - Goals/Future Plans Accomplishments/Awards - Education/Courses

Sample Resume: Name M.A. Riffel High School 2012-2015 Volunteer Work: Academic Awards: Regina Food Bank – 2010, 2011 Social Studies gr. 9 Children’s Wish Foundation Golf Tournament 2011 Law gr. 11 Christmas hampers – 2012 Extra-curricular Activities: Extra-curricular Awards: Basketball – gr. 9, 10, 11, 12 (captain) Volleyball MVP– gr. 9 Volleyball – gr. 9, 10, 12 Volleyball Captain– gr. 12 Badminton – gr. 11, 12 Lighting & Sound team – gr. 9

2. Contact 3 references 2 weeks prior to the 2. Contact 3 references 2 weeks prior to the first scholarship deadline - Always ask people with whom you have developed a good rapport (at least 2 teachers and 1 member of the community). (School letters of reference should discuss academic qualifications, extra-curricular activities, and personal qualities. Community letters should emphasize contributions made to the organization and personal qualities) - Supply your referee with a copy of your resume so they may discuss your activities in the letter. - Give them the scholarship criteria - Ask them to save the letter so that you can request future letters specific to new scholarship criteria - Always provide at least two weeks notice. Thank them profusely!

3. Begin your search Parents and Grandparents: ask your employer, union, professional organization, service club, parish counsel, and community association Students: ask your employer, survey the newspaper, listen to announcements, search scholarship websites (Riffel website and StudentAwards.com) and google www.rcsd.ca/riffel/students/services/scholarships Be prepared to write paragraphs or essays Be prepared to be interviewed or make a presentation

Be Organized! Keep a file/binder of scholarship information including: Copies of completed applications Reference letters Electronic files of written work Be Neat! Your completed application reflects your skills and abilities Read and follow directions Beat deadlines by at least 3 days!

Websites to search for scholarships include: www.scholarshipscanada.com www.studentawards.com www.schoolfinder.com www.aucc.ca www.sasknetwork.ca www.youth.ca www.rcsd.ca/riffel www.canlearn.ca www.inac.gc.ca

SaskPolytechnic Each program at SaskPoly has a scholarship. All scholarships are posted online and students apply online. There are 6 different application “deadlines”. The first deadline for “first year” students is July 15, 2013.

Centennial Merit Scholarships (U of R) Average calculated using the Early Conditional Acceptance criteria: 90-94.99% = $2000 95-100% = $3000 * A re-calculation will be done automatically once Grade 12 marks are finalized

Early Conditional Admission Average is calculated based on the following formula: One course in ELA (20 or 30 Level) One of 20 or 30 Level Math (no W/A) Another Math or Science (20 or 30 Level) Another course in Humanities or Fine Arts (20 or 30 Level) One additional elective (at the 20 or 30 Level)

U of S – Automatic Entrance Scholarships 85-89.9% = $500 90-92.9 = $1000 93 -94.9 = $2000 95+ = $3000 **Best and Brightest –Deadline Dec. 1

Important Deadlines: Feb. 15 - U of S Entrance Awards deadline March 15 – U of R Entrance Scholarships July 15 – SIAST Entrance Scholarships Transcripts from the Ministry of Education are due Aug. 1st

SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS AND BURSARIES