ECSS GUIDANCE SERVICES Helping to Finance Your Post-Secondary Pathway Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards, Grants, and Loans

AGENDA Useful resources Financing your education Definitions of terms Variety of ways to qualify Diverse criteria Beginning the search Specific upcoming application deadlines and other opportunities

FIRST STEP… Is to explore the Guidance link at:

USEFUL RESOURCES ON THE ECSS WEBSITE Presentations Scholarship/Awards information application and deadlines Student Awards - 8 Tips Report Suggested websites to get started Budget and OSAP information

FINANCING YOUR EDUCATION  invest your savings  RESP  bank loans  parents/guardians and relatives  summer job  part-time job on campus  time off from your education to work – a.k.a. Gap Year  College/University Co-operative Education programs  OSAP Loan or Grant  Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards, Grants, Fellowships

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS All of these may: be awarded to attract students to a post-secondary institution. have academic criteria. be awarded for non-academic criteria. be awarded for financial need. be offered by schools, private agencies, public agencies, businesses, private citizens, government officials, etc. Scholarships, fellowships, grants, and bursaries are always a monetary gift. Awards may be either monetary or some other form of recognition (e.g. certificate, pin, trophy, plaque, medal, book).

GRANTS VS. LOANS OSAP-Loan Loans eventually need to be paid back Online application process will not update this year’s application until May 2014 OSAP-Grant Grants are gifts 30% off Ontario Tuition  money you don't have to repay  designed for students entering a public college or university program from high school  must apply within four years of graduating from high school You can apply for this program without applying for OSAP

30% OFF ONTARIO TUITION

MORE ABOUT 30% OFF TUITION The 30% Off Ontario Tuition for 2013–2014 provides: $ for university and college degree students $ for college diploma and certificate students You could be eligible for 30% off your student tuition if : You're a full-time student at a public college or university in Ontario It's been less than four years since you left high school You're in a program that you can apply to directly from high school You're a resident of Ontario Your parents' gross income is $160,000 or less

VARIETY OF WAYS TO QUALIFY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS Automatic - Academic Achievement considerations exist for all pathways – there is no action required for these. Most scholarship applications are open to any graduate who meets the criteria, and they require an application to be sent in by the student by a specific deadline. Some are open to school nominations only and it is up to the school to submit these nominations. Our school graduation awards recipients are selected by a team of staff members who review the nominations received by students and staff. Visit the ECSS website at the Guidance link:

DIVERSE CRITERIA  Academic Merit  Financial Need  Fine & Performing Arts  Geographic Location  Heritage and  Background  Language  Originality and Passion  First generation in family to attend college or university  Leadership & Volunteering  Religion  Special Needs  Sports & Athletics  Student & Parent Membership  Disabilities  Innovative Ideas  Talent

START YOUR SEARCH 1. Does your chosen College/University or Apprenticeship Training organization provide automatic consideration based on final marks? 2.Make sure to check out the Scholarships and Financial Aid Information available at the post secondary institution you are thinking of attending. This information usually includes the complete list of scholarships and bursaries, as well as eligibility and renewal criteria. Every college and university has this information on their website. 3.Research! Explore as many websites as possible: there will be suggested sites on the Valuable Resources Guide and on the ECSS website under the Guidance Link. 4.Prepare your own Personal Activity Tracking Sheet for Future Applications and Résumés. 5.Network with family and friends

SEARCH CONT’D… 6. Make sure you have your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and your Ontario Education Number (OEN) handy. 7.Don’t delay requesting official transcripts from Mrs. Genova in the Guidance and Career Education Office – we require at least one day’s notice. 8.Give referees at least two weeks notice and provide them with a résumé. 9.We recommend starting your search at and become a member and take the test. 10.It takes a great deal of time to apply for Scholarships, Bursaries, or Awards. This is why so many are unclaimed.

8 TIPS FOR SUBMITTING A GREAT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 1. Passion for the Subject - Only apply for an award if you actually have an interest in the subject matter. Your passion or disinterest will be reflected in your writing. 2. Research - Do the appropriate background work and find out exactly what a specific scholarship panel is looking for. Read the rules and regulations / terms and conditions. 3. Clarity of Thought - Be clear and concise. “How” you communicate is just as important as “what” you’re trying to communicate. Answer the essay question and only provide relevant information. Do not go over the word limit count. 4. Not a Résumé - Your scholarship application essay is not a substitute for your résumé so don’t simply re-write your résumé in essay form. Don’t list, discuss! Expand on your personal experience and clearly articulate your goals.

8 TIPS FOR SUBMITTING A GREAT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION CONT’D… 5. Structure, Spelling, & Grammar - Be aware of proper essay structure. Always double-check your spelling & grammar and have someone proof read your work. 6. References – Ideally, references should be professionals at your school or organization that can vouch for your participation. Inform your references and make sure that their contact information is up-to-date. Assume that the scholarship administrator will check your references. 7. Complete All Requirements - Follow the instructions and make sure that you have collected and provided all the required materials. Making a checklist of all the elements will help. 8. Don’t miss the application deadline and apply early - Don’t procrastinate. Give yourself plenty of time to fill out the application and to gather required documents (reference letters and transcripts).

SUGGESTED WEBSITES - Use the Searchable Scholarships Tab – a valuable timesaver !!! Information on financial planning Scholarship service, become a member, take the test and get matched with Canadian scholarships. Financial awards for all kinds of students. comprehensive resources and information guide for university and college students Scholarships, bursaries, awards Site for scholarships, awards and bursaries -click on students-Scholarships and financial aid assistance -The best way to get from where your are now to the school that is right for you.

-Financial information for students (Go to Personal Banking) -Financial information for students (Go to Starting College/University) -Go to Personal Finances-Brain Money Calculator -Financial information for students (Go to Student Services) -To apply on-line for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and Ontario Tuition Grand (OTG) -Scholarship finder, search through thousands of scholarships and awards -Loans for tools Refer to the hyperlinks on the Valuable Resources Guide posted on the ECSS website under the Guidance link. SUGGESTED WEBSITES CONT’D…

UPCOMING APPLICATION DEADLINES AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES 1. LORAN AWARD Value: Renewable for up to four years, it includes an annual tuition waiver and a stipend of $8,000, access to funding and internships through a summer program, invitations to annual gatherings and forums, and mentorship opportunities. Applicants must demonstrate: strong academic performance with a minimum cumulative average of 85% and moral character, commitment to serving others, great potential as leaders, independent thinking, and a willingness to take meaningful risks. This award is available for undergraduate study at specific universities. Deadline: October 23, 2013 (direct pool applicants)

2. UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO BOOK AWARD AND NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Value: Covers tuition and incidental fees for four years, will provide residence support in first year, and will include an additional, renewable, monetary award. Tenable only at University of Toronto. Applicants must demonstrate superior academic performance, original and creative thought, exceptional achievement in a broad context, excel in academic pursuits, have enthusiasm for intellectual exploration, involvement in life of school and community. Tenable only at U of T. In-School nomination deadline: Friday, October 25, 2013 School Deadline to submit nomination: November 8, TD CANADA TRUST SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP Value: Each scholarship is valued at up to $70,000 and includes up to $10,000 for tuition per year, $7,500 a year toward living expenses. Applicants must demonstrate leadership in many areas such as environmental cleanup, the promotion of social justice, and the fight against child poverty, to name just a few. Deadline: December 6, 2013

4. SCHULICH LEADER SCHOLARSHIPS NOMINEE Value: Schulich Leader Nominees appointed as Schulich Leaders at each participating university will receive $60,000 ($15,000 per year to be paid over four years) This scholarship is for students intending to enrol in a program at one of the 20 Canadian universities in the STEM areas of study (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) must be a Canadian citizen, each candidate must possess at least two of the following three attributes: ▫ academic excellence ▫ outstanding community, business or entrepreneurial leadership ▫ financial need E.C.S.S. deadline-Friday, January 10, 2014www.schulichleaders.com 5. GARFIELD WESTON MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FOR COLLEGES Value: comprises a tuition waiver from a consortium college renewable for one or two additional years; an $8,000 stipend renewable for one or two additional years; access to summer program funding, up to $3,500; and mentorship. summer programmentorship This award is designed to identify, recognize and reward well-rounded students who intend to undertake full time study in a two or three year college program leading to diploma at one of the participating colleges. Deadline: Usually mid March 2014www.garfieldwestonawards.ca UPCOMING APPLICATION DEADLINES AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES CONT’D…

6. ATHLETIC AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES All athletic financial awards offered by Canadian universities must follow the criteria established by Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), the national governing body of university sport in Canada. The Ontario University Athletics (OUA) website has additional information on criteria for athletic financial awards in Ontario.athletic financial awards in Ontario For additional information on the awards that are available at a specific Ontario university, use the OUA Directory for your sport.OUA 7. LOBLAW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Value: Varies each year For students that have a minimum average of 70% and demonstrated volunteer activities and are planning to attend a publicly-funded university or college in Canada. UPCOMING APPLICATION DEADLINES AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES CONT’D…

RESOURCES Useful resources are posted on the ECSS website click the Guidance link Presentations Scholarship/Awards information application and deadlines ECSS Graduation Awards (2013) Student Awards -8 Tips Report Your Guidance and Career Education Counsellor will be happy to help you navigate this process!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ECSS GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT