Financing Your Education

1. Financing Your Education Bluevale Collegiate Institute September 2011 Mr. Weatherdon

2. Topics Of Discussion • Scholarships - definition • Types of scholarships • Application procedures • Tips • Useful websites • Bursaries and OSAP

3. What Is a Scholarship? + =

4. Let’s Try This Again… Schol-ar-ship n. 1 : money given to a student to help him/her pay for his/her education

5. Three Types of Scholarships • Scholarships requiring a school nomination – complete the required application • Scholarships not requiring a nomination – complete the required application • Scholarships not requiring an application i.e. entrance scholarships based on marks

6. Getting Started • Check the Guidance section of BCI’s website for recent updates http://bci.wrdsb.ca/ • Visit the web sites provided • Search the web for other possibilities

7. A Few More Tips…. • Review scholarship opportunities at all Ontario Universities by going to www.electronicinfo.ca • ontariocolleges.ca, click on “discover Ontario colleges”, click on “budgeting for college” • Check whether your parents’ place of employment offers scholarships • Inquire at local clubs, ethnic organizations, church groups and professional organizations which you are a member of.

8. www.studentawards.com www.scholarshipscanada.com http://www.wrdsb.ca/programs/secondary-school-information/scholarships/waterloo-region-scholarships http://www.aucc.ca/scholarships/private_e.html www.osap.gov.on.ca www.campusaccess.com www.macleans.ca/oncampusfair www.canlearn.ca Useful Websites

9. A Few Pointers…. • Check to make sure you meet the requirements of the scholarship before applying. • Advance preparation is required – do not wait until the last minute to complete your application! • Treat applying to scholarships like a part-time job – it takes work! • Follow the instructions very carefully and fully complete each application. • Have a parent help you (proofreading, work and volunteer experiences, etc.)

10. Applying for Scholarships Requiring a School Nomination • Carefully complete a student resume form (download form from “Scholarship Info” on BCI website – complete this form electronically) • Return the form to Mr. Weatherdon by Tues. Sept. 27 to be considered for all awards requiring a school nomination. • Keep a copy for yourself. Update your student resume forms as your information changes. See Mr. Weatherdon to update the hard copy of your resume (i.e. if you change the schools that you apply to!)

11. Importance of……. • Volunteering: many scholarships put more emphasis on community service, extra-curricular involvement than on marks • Marks: very important for entrance scholarships • .5% could cost you thousands of $$$$$

12. Bursaries Bur-sa-ry n. 1: a monetary grant to a studentin need • Complete the last page of the student resume • Check scholarship binder • Visit the web sites provided • Search the web for other possibilities • Visit http://osap.gov.on.ca • Visit www.canlearn.ca

13. Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) Objective: To help the students from lower-income families meet the costs of post-secondary education. You may apply to OSAP (in the spring) for a loan online at http://osap.gov.on.ca or by sending in a paper application. Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Scholarship is offered through this site.

14. Feeling Overwhelmed?

15. Fear Not… • Start researching early • Read the “Tips” info sheet • Save all your work and reference letters • Pay attention to due dates • Talk to your guidance counsellor • Believe in yourself • Update your resume • Volunteer!

16. Thank you for listening. • Remember to check the school website often and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.