Financial resources workshop Westmount Secondary September 27, 2018

What is the Difference? Scholarships Bursary Marks are minimum requirements, but merit is critical Something you “win” by competing Special criteria – e.g. volunteer work, sports, clubs, cultural background, exceptionality 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, dental/health…. Are all extra.

Costs can vary… McMaster University Queen’s University 5. Business & Commerce $8,145.00 $1,145.59 $9,290.59 7. Computer, Electrical Software Eng. $9,664.71 $1,135.60 $10,800.31 Queen’s University 5. Business & Commerce $14,847.69 $1,153.87 $16,001.56 7. 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 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 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. 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? Creativity – Do you have vision and fresh thinking? Identity – Does culture, gender, special needs, geography or other factors set you apart?

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, , email notifications, 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 OUAC look under “finance fees & scholarships” Einfo as well as individual university websites McMaster University http://sfas.mcmaster.ca/entrance.html University of Toronto http://apply.utoronto.ca/adm-awards/html/awards/mainawdpage.htm Go to the Ontario Colleges and look under “paying for college” college scholarships as well as individual college websites

How to Find These Scholarships (Community Based)  Try a website designed for scholarship searches such as: www.scholarshipscanada.com – create an account www.studentawards.com – create an account http://www.osca.ca (click “students” then “scholarships and financial assistance”) www.studentscholarships.org – claims to be the largest database www.schoolfinder.com – recommended by the past students as their site of choice www.canlearn.ca & www.fundyourfuture.ca – comprehensive web sites providing post-secondary financing info. www.macleans.ca/oncampus(click on “scholarships”, search by keyword such as business)

How to Find These Scholarships (Community Based) Ask your parents/guardians Employers may offer scholarships: places of employment (your own or your parents’) ie. Wendy’s, McDonald’s Service groups, community organizations or individuals may have scholarships ie. Ron and Gina Fraser –about $75,000 for one student who demonstrates extreme financial hardship, to attend McMaster Bachelor of Health Sciences and McMaster medical program, if accepted. professional organizations ie. OSSTF community service agencies ie. Cancer Society insurance companies and banks(TD, RBC, Scotia Bank, CIBC) & corporations

How do we help find scholarships? Check the Scholarship Report posted on the Guidance Hub Subscription published bimonthly

Competitive Scholarships Many of the very large scholarship funds ask schools to choose a school-sponsored applicant Deadlines to seek school sponsorship are 2 weeks before the actual scholarship deadline Loran School Sponsorship up to 3 per school, or direct pool 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

ATHLETIC sCHOLARSHIPS Need proof of exceptional ability in your sport. Prepare a sports profile for university coaches; a comprehensive outline of your personal and team accomplishments Ontario universities can/may offer up to $3,500 for athletic scholarship.

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

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?

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- INTEREST FREE! 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. You apply online for this loan, and the information is sent to the Financial Aid Office of the school you plan to attend.

Westmount graduation Awards HWDSB Community School based Provincial Fill out your Award Candidate Profile on the Guidance Hub Page after Grad Assembly

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.