1. Scholarship
&
Bursary Award Seminar
November 2017

2. Agenda Introduction Financing Post-Secondary Education
Scholarship & Bursary Award Criteria
Some Awards Available
Application Due Dates
Award Deferrals
Finding Award Information
The Application Package
Helpful Suggestions
Some Final Thoughts

3. Post-Secondary Education Estimated Living Costs
Tuition and Fees
Books & Supplies
Local Transportation
Personal Expenses
Room & Board
$5000
$1500
$500
$2500
$6000
* Costs will vary depending on individual circumstances.

4. Tuition, Fees and Room/Board Expenses
Post- Secondary Institution
Tuition & Fees/per school yr.
Food /On- campus housing
Total
CNC
$3523
Estimate for University Transfer program Commerce
N/A
UNBC
$6400
UBC
(Vancouver)
$6209
$10,709
$16,918
TRU
(Kamloops)
$5427
$7400
$12827
The information to the right is based on September, post-secondary website information.
Fees are approximate, subject to change and based on a general program full course load.
There may be additional student fees, and will be textbook, transportation and personal expenses.
There are pros and cons to attending any post-secondary institution. Financial costs are only one factor to consider.

5. Some Examples of Post-Secondary Website Links Showing Approximate Costs
College of New Caladonia:
University of Northern British Columbia:
University of British Columbia (Vancouver):
Thompson Rivers University:

6. Financing Post-Secondary Education
Personal Savings: Summer/Part-time Jobs
Scholarship & Bursary Awards:
School District No. 57 (Prince George) District Awards Program
BC Achievement Scholarships (B.C. Ministry of Education)
BC Excellence Scholarships (B.C. Ministry of Education)
Dogwood District/Authority Award (B.C. Ministry of Education)
Duchess Park Awards Program
Pathway to Teacher Education Scholarships (B.C. Ministry of Education)
Various Businesses and Organizations
Various Post-Secondary Institutions
Parents: Scholarship Plans, Gifts, Loans
Government Loans/Grants: Provincial / Federal

7. Scholarship & Bursary Award Criteria
Criteria for awarding scholarships & bursaries may include one
or more of the following:
citizenship (usually Canadian citizenship or Landed Immigrant status required)
high academic achievement
extra-curricular activities and/or school/community service
leadership involvement
good citizenship
membership in a specific organization (students/parents may need to be members at least one year), attendance at a specific elementary school or home address in a specific location
financial need
nomination
pursuing a specific career or specific post-secondary studies
attending a specific post-secondary institution
connections – knowing the donor

8. School District No.57 Dictrict Awards Program
School District No. 57 District Awards are available to students who are:
graduating from School District #57 secondary schools.
furthering their education by attending accredited courses/programs or a vocational / technical school within 3 years of high school graduation.
(Online award application (Fluid Review) is available
January 6, 2018 and the due date is February 23, 2018.)

9. Criteria for District awards may include one or more of the following:
high academic achievement
school/community service
leadership involvement
excellent citizenship
financial need (need to demonstrate financial need)
pursuing specific post-secondary studies and/or membership in a specific organization, attendance at a specific elementary school or home address in a specific location
connections – association with the donor

10. What a Completed District Award May Include
an online application form (Social Insurance Number required)
a reference letter(s) from an adult, non- relative, preferably outside of school
A declaration of income form (for bursaries)
The award must be claimed within 3 years of graduation.

11. B.C. Achievement Scholarships
This $1250 scholarship (8000 in total) recognizes broad achievement in courses meeting graduation program requirements. Criteria include:
achievement in Grades 10, 11, and 12 courses that satisfy graduation program requirements (including elective courses). Grad Transitions will not be included. A cumulative average percentage will be calculated and form the basis for awarding the BC Achievement Scholarship.
Recipients must meet basic eligibility requirements (eg. must be a Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant), in addition to attaining a “B” (73% or above) or better average in their Language Arts 12 course.
Students do NOT apply for this scholarship.

12. B.C. Excellence Scholarships
This $5000 scholarship (55 in total) recognizes well-rounded graduates demonstrating community service and leadership, both inside and outside of their schools, as well as commitment and aptitude for their chosen career paths.
Criteria include:
Being nominated by Duchess Park (schools may only nominate one student)
Having at least a “B” (73% or above) in their Language Arts 11 final mark and in Grade 11 final course marks that fulfill graduation requirements of Science 11, Math 11 and Social Studies 11, with no more than one “C+” (67% or above) final course mark. Marks lower than “C+” are not accepted.
Maintaining a “B” average in Grades 11 and 12 final course marks required for graduation.
Submitting a resume in the mandatory format and providing two references, one from their community and one from their school.
Providing a written statement (maximum 500 words)

13. Students who would like to be nominated need to first thoroughly read through all online related information, including the application package and scoring guidelines, make sure they meet basic eligibility requirements (including being a Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant) and then let their counsellor know they would like to be nominated by Jan 15, 2018.
The nominee will chosen by two or more members of the Duchess Park Awards Committee (the nominee could also end up being a student who did not put their name forward)
Nominated students will need to send their application package to the Ministry of Education by Feb. 15, 2018.
(A student cannot win both a BC Excellence Scholarship and a Pathway to Teacher Education Scholarship.)

14. Dogwood District/Authority Awards
This $1250 award is intended for students who have taken grade 11 & 12 courses and excelled in one of the
following areas:
Applied Design, Skills & Tech (Business Ed., Tech Ed., Home Ec.)
Community Service (Volunteer Activity)
Fine Arts (Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Music)
Indigenous Languages & Culture
International Languages
Physical Activity & Health
Technical and Trades Training

15. Dogwood District/Authority Awards (con’t)
Criteria include:
superior achievement (80% or higher) in specialty area courses (where applicable)
Application is through the District Awards Program
a letter of reference regarding achievement in the specialty area
* The scholarship must be redeemed, at a designated post-secondary institution or apprenticeship program, within five years from September 30th of the student’s graduating year.

16. Duchess Park Awards Program
Application package will be available by January 6, Due date February 23, AM (midnight).
Any current Duchess Park Graduate is eligible to apply. To collect your award, you must enroll in and attend a “bona fide” post-secondary institution, full-time, as outlined in the award criteria.
Selections of recipients are by the Duchess Park Awards Committee, unless otherwise noted.
All are paid after classes begin in September, and are paid in one installment. Before cheques are issued, successful candidates must submit a “Confirmation of Full-Time Enrollment” letter.
All awards are available to recipients for a maximum of three years. Awards not claimed within the allotted period will be forfeited.

17. Pathway to Teacher Education Scholarship
12/support/provincial-scholarships
This $5000 scholarship (voucher to a B.C. Faculty of Education
program) is awarded to 20 outstanding high school graduates.
Criteria include:
a B average in all Grade 11 and 12 courses required for graduation, with
no more than one Grade 12 mark at a C+ level
The application package must include:
Two references – one from a community person and one from someone
at your school
A resume (very specific guidelines in application package)
a written statement describing why you want to become a teacher
Application packages must be submitted to Ministry of Education by February 15th.
Must be redeemed within 7 years of high school graduation.

18. Personal Education Number
Your B.C. Ministry of Education PEN (Personal Education Number)
may be required for some application forms.
Your PEN is a 9 digit number issued by the B.C. Ministry of Education when you enter the B.C. school system and it should be on all of your past report cards (Please get your PEN from your report card)
You will need your PEN to set up your B.C. Ministry of Education exam account -
(You may also need your PEN for the BC Ministry of Education online PSI Selections form to forward transcript to post secondary instutions on your behalf)

19. Designated Post-Secondary Institutions
Most awards must be used at approved, designated post-secondary institutions (PSIs).
Designated schools may be public or independent, in Canada or outside of Canada.
Approved, designated schools may be found on the following website:
(Click the “Search for designated institutions” link at the bottom of the page.)

20. FINDING AWARD INFORMATION
Check the Internet regularly:
development/services/student-financial- aid/scholarships.html
(US)
(US)

21. Finding Award Information (con’t)
Post-secondary education websites
Organization & government websites
Various search engines (eg. Google)
Check the Grade 12 Info section on the Duchess Park website
Look through books & newspapers

22. SAMPLE APPLICATION DEADLINES
Application dates vary:
TD Scholarships for Community Leadership
UNBC Early Entrance Awards
Schulich Leader Scholarship
SD 57 District Awards
Duchess Park Awards
November 17, 2017
December 15, 2017
February 1, 22, 2018
February 23, 2018
Unless it says otherwise, assume that the application package must arrive at the donor organization by the due date.

23. Some awards are valid for at least one or more years after graduation
AWARD DEFERRALS: WHAT IF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IS AT LEAST ONE YEAR AWAY?
Complete award application packages even if post-secondary education is at least one year away, unless it very clearly says must be attending school in September 2018
Some awards are valid for at least one or more years after graduation
If you are successful in receiving an award from a university, phone or write a letter asking if it can be deferred, stating the reasons why
eg. need to work, travel, etc.

24. THE APPLICATION PACKAGE
Completed scholarship & bursary award application packages may include one or more of the following:
An Application form:
“type” as much as possible (or black pen, if pen is allowed)
don’t leave any space blank - if you think a question doesn’t apply to you write, “not applicable”
if you aren’t sure how to answer a question, contact the organization offering the award
may request letter grades
may request a list of volunteer/work experiences
may request a list of extra-curricular activities
may request a list of leadership contributions
may request your Social Insurance Number

25. THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t)
An “official” interim Transcript:
consists of grade courses and marks
is created by the Duchess Park counselling office, after students request a transcript from the counselling secretary and when the transcript isn’t available through completing the online B.C. Ministry of Education PSI Selections Form (available in Oct.).
Duchess Park generated transcripts will usually be available within 2 business days.
(An interim Transcript will be available to Post Secondary Institutions at the end of May and the final Transcript, from the B.C. Ministry of Education, will be mailed home, at the end of July.)

26. THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t)
A Personal Letter:
You may be asked to describe yourself, including one or more of the following:
your volunteer and/or work experiences
your school and/or community experiences
your leadership activities
your personal and/or career goals.

27. THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t)
Letters of Reference:
if you can choose your reference, choose someone who knows you well (your strengths, abilities, goals etc.)
eg. a teacher / coach who has had you for a few years or whose
class you did well in (References must not be peers, immediate
family members or relatives. Please see me for possible exceptions.)
sometimes the reference letter has to be written by a school counsellor or administrator
give people as much time as possible to write a reference letter,
minimum one week, preferably at least two weeks
provide a copy of your application , and/or resume to the person writing your reference letter
consider sending a “thank you” note to people who write letters of reference for you

28. THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t)
An Essay:
on a given topic -
eg. future goals & dreams, something you’re passionate about, significant or meaningful contribution you have made to the community
personal & original, interesting introduction, be creative
reflect how experiences have impacted your life, what you’ve learned through life experiences and involvement with others, and how you are or can use what you’ve learned, skills you’ve developed in life
(reflect on yourself within the greater whole)

29. THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t)
A Resume:
(1 -2 pages maximum)
must be word processed
begin with most recent involvements first and work “backwards”, unless the directions say otherwise
An Interview:
(eg. Schulich Leader Scholarship)
questions may be related to current contributions, community awareness, life experiences, future goals etc.

30. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS Take INITIATIVE (Don’t leave it to mom or dad!)
INITIATE and organize a new program / show leadership
Do your best to be a positive person with a good attitude,
effort and behaviour
Be confident, emphasize strengths – “brag about yourself in a humble sort of way”
Develop good relationships with teachers / employers / adults etc. who can write reference letters for you – consider sending a “thank you” note to people who help you with the application process

31. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t)
BE ORGANIZED
Read through the application as soon as possible and carefully follow the directions on the application forms (make sure you meet the criteria)
Make a couple of photocopies of the scholarship application before you fill it out
Do the best you can in your courses while still living a BALANCED life
Get involved in extra-curricular activities at school and in the community

32. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t)
Volunteer your time serving and helping others in school and in the community
Complete your application at least two weeks before the application deadline – request Transcripts early
Open a scholarship/bursary award file on your computer and regularly enter information
Start now already making a list of all paid/volunteer work experiences, accomplishments, contests entered, awards received etc. and dates/years involved

33. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t)
You or your parents may want to become members of organizations that offer scholarships & bursaries
Get a Social Insurance Number
(Students must have a SIN to apply for the ACF Awards)
Use flawless English in a very neat, clear format
(A rough draft first is recommended.)
Ask a parent, teacher, friend, counsellor etc. to proofread your application for content and/or for grammar

34. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t)
Make sure the completed application package, project etc. is your own work
Keep a copy of all application packages you submit on file at home
Check the Duchess Park website under Grade 12 Info and award related websites regularly – due dates vary. Unless it says otherwise, assume that application packages must arrive at the destination by the due date.

35. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t)
Don’t procrastinate - working towards and applying for awards involves time ~ time working hard, time getting involved and time taking the initiative to search for, read and complete application packages
If you win an award send a “Thank You” letter/note to the donor as soon as possible.

36. Writing Thank You Letters to Donors
UVIC tips for writing “Thank You” Letters:
School District 57 sample “Thank You” letter:
Student-Sample%20THANK%20YOU%20Letter.pdf

37. A Final Thought
Winning one or more awards is not guaranteed, however, getting involved in enriching activities and serving others can help to make your high school experience more memorable and meaningful, and make a difference in the lives of others.