Scholarship & Bursary Application Details

 

Follow the instructions on this page for applying to scholarship and bursaries

STRATEGY

Apply for as many scholarships and bursaries as possible. Be prepared to spend time and effort; successful scholarship applications are the result of care, good supporting documents, and attention to detail.

  1. Begin EARLY in the school year.
  2. Choose the scholarships and bursaries for which you are realistically eligible.
  3. Check parental affiliation with unions, companies and organizations (often includes grandparents, stepparents, etc.).
  4. Obtain the application forms from the counselling secretary and complete them; if necessary ask for letters of reference or recommendation and procure all relevant documents.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

  1. Check that you meet the criteria. Follow the instructions for application accurately.
  2. For each application (unless otherwise stated) you will need in the following order:
    1. A completed application form
    2. A cover letter
    3. A scholarship/bursary resume
    4. Two teacher reference letters
    5. A transcript
    6. Possibly a statement of financial need or proposed budget
    7. Possibly a Elementary school declaration form

APPLICATION FORMS

  • Use the standard form  for all applications unless a special form is required, see list – all special forms can be obtained in the counselling office
  • Make a master copy – leaving the first 2 lines  and the last line blank; saved as a PDF
  • Make sure all information is correct – especially your contact information
  • Photocopy the required number.  Add in the appropriate information on the first and last lines.  Attach to the front of each package.
  • Print or write neatly in black ink that will match the photocopied text.
  • Standard (for printing)
  • Fillable (online)

COVER LETTER

The importance of a good cover letter cannot be overemphasized since it is the usual basis for screening candidates. A good cover letter takes a great deal of time, effort, thought and revision; it is often the difference between a candidate being considered or rejected.

  • Use correct letter format – see example 1 and/or example 2
  • Address to either the donor personally or a general “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Scholarship Chairperson”
  • Should consist of 3 paragraphs:
    • Introduce yourself and state your educational plans and goals
    • Referring to your resume, explain the activities, courses, school and community service you have been involved with in the last four years
    • State your specific reasons for applying for this scholarship including personal reasons of financial need and why it would be helpful to you
  • Try to be original, personal (yet specific), proud of your achievements, show understanding of the criteria for the award and be neat and presentable

RESUME

A resume for a scholarship application has a different emphasis from a resume for employment. Like a cover letter, a good resume is an important part of the application.  These represent you to the scholarship/bursary committees.  The more you can tell the committees about yourself the better.

  • Always start with your goal or educational plans
  • Include the schools you have attended and dates
  • Include any academic/school awards
  • Include any clubs, activities, teams etc you have belonged to
  • Include your community involvement
  • Include any work experience, jobs or volunteering
  • List any other areas of interest, skills or achievement
  • List the 2 people you are using for a reference letter (including their address) and the reason why they are your reference
  • See example 1 and/or example 2

Your resume should be no longer than 2 pages

  • Create a master than can be updated or edited for other award applications
  • Proofread and have someone else (or multiple) proofread
  • Always start with the most recent activities, dates etc and work backwards.  Usually going back to grade 9 is suffient

Note: If you are applying for a special fine arts, music, theatre or sports scholarship, you may want to do a separate resume based on that theme

Qualities that the committees look for are: enthusiasm, teamwork, character, hard work, purpose, community service, perseverance and responsibility.

LETTERS OF REFERENCE

Many applications require letters of reference or recommendation, which often form an important part in a committee’s decision. It is important, therefore, to give careful consideration to your choice. Ask adults who know you well, but who are not members of your family. Employers, coaches, principals, teachers, ministers, and neighbors are all possibilities. Choose people who are familiar with your achievements. Be sure to tell your references specifically what you need or provide them with this form.  Give them plenty of time because writing a good letter of reference requires time, effort, and thought. Give your references copies of your resume to help them be thorough in their recommendations.

THANK-YOU LETTER

  • You could provide a thank you letter to your reference, remember they took personal time out of their schedule to complete this for you.
  • If you have the honour of winning an award, scholarship or bursary please take the time to write a personal letter of thanks to the donor.
  • If you cannot provide proof registration by September, write a note explaining and ask them to hold your award
  • If you need to postpone your schooling for a year, ask them if it is possible to defer the award.
  • Consider sharing with your donors how this award helped you in your first year of post-secondary.  They like to hear how their funds helped you succeed.

TRANSCRIPTS

Pop into the counselling office and ask for as many school transcripts as you need.  Double check the transcript is correct!

FINANCIAL NEED/BUDGET

Use this budgets form and adapt it to fit your needs

ELEMENTARY DECLARATION

Use this form to declare your elementary school registration.  The school counsellor can run your PSR (permanent student record) to find exact dates for you.

PROCEDURE

  1. Spend some time to produce your best possible master package
  2. Make a master list or highlight the scholarship/bursaries you will be applying for
  3. Decide and ask your references, allowing at least a week for completion (give them the Reference Request form or a copy of your resume)
  4. Ask the counselling secretary for appropriate number of transcripts
  5. Make appropriate copies of your completed package

DEADLINE

Monday, March 25, 2024 – unless otherwise specified

Submit to the counselling office for submission to your donors.  Do not mail them yourself.