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  • Writing A Scholarship Application Essay

    Writing A Scholarship Application Essay

    Getting a scholarship at any leading college or university requires immense preparation for students. One of the most challenging jobs is to submit a well articulated scholarship essay. Admission officers consider this as an integral part of the scholarship grant process. However, things have changed for the better with many websites being launched which publish numerous sample essays which can be used as a baseline for students who are applying for scholarships. Let us quickly see what these websites have to offer and how we can use the services to come out with world class scholarship essay.

    For starters, these websites ask students to create their profile. After the profile is created, students can submit any number of essays that they want. At any given point, website visitors vote for the essays after which the best five essays are shortlisted. The best among the five essays get a prize of varying amounts depending upon the website’s policies.

    Students are diligently using the services of these websites. They can read essays which they feel are closely related to their requirements and use these as a baseline to write their own original scholarship essay. Some of the websites have video tips which help the students to get better ideas of how to write a scholarship essay. Many sites also have message boards where students can come together to provide tips to each other.

    The essays which are submitted to the site are stored in the database for future reference. The concept is new and, as a result, finding lots of acceptance among students. Most of these websites have different sections which highlight the recently submitted essays and also the most popular sample scholarship essays. As we move forward we will see that there will be many more websites which will offer essay scholarships. Students are expressing their happiness at the launch of these sites. Different sections of the education fraternity have also expressed their support for many of the leading websites.

  • February Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    February Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    Welcome to our list of ten new scholarships for February! Remember – it’s never too early to plan your finances for post-secondary education. The sooner you start, the greater your chances of success! Take a look at all of the scholarships below and apply for as many as you can! Go out and get that free money!

    1. The Colonel Douglas H. Gunter Award – Open to all students across Canada. Amount: 5 @ $1000. Deadline: April 13, 2013

    2. Douglas McRorie Memorial Scholarship – For students majoring in agricultural business, economics, finance or trade. Amount: $3000-$5000. Deadline: February 22, 2013

    3. Aborginal Traditional Arts Project Grant – For Aboriginal students stuyding Arts in Alberta. Amount: $15,000. Deadline: February 15, 2013.

    4. 2013 Toyota Earth Day Scholarship – Open to all students entering post-secondary education in 2013/2014. Amount: $5000. Deadline: February 15, 2013.

    5. Anne Latimer Memorial Bursary – Open to female students enrolled in Women’s Studies at Langara College, Vancouver. Amount: Dependent on need. Deadline: February 14, 2013. **Many more Langara College bursaries at the link – check them out!**

    6. Canadian Institute for Nordic Studies Undergraduate Summer Bursaries – for Canadian students planning to study abroad at a Nordic university. Amount: $1500. Deadline: February 15, 2013.

    7. Saskatchewan Chancellor’s Scholarship – For all students entering post-secondary education at the University of Saskatchewan. Amount: $5000. Deadline: February 15, 2013.

    8. Don Moore Scholarship Award – For all students entering post-secondary education in Alberta. Amount: $1500. Deadline: February 15, 2013.

    9. John Brooks Foundation Scholarship – For all students entering post-secondary education at Queens University in Kingston, ON. Amount: $1300. Deadline: February 15, 2013.

    10. University of Ontario Institute of Technology Chancellor’s Scholarship – For students entering their first year of studies at UOIT. Amount: $28,000. Deadline: February 22, 2013.

  • Can Anyone Get a Scholarship?

    Can Anyone Get a Scholarship?

    Sometimes when we are thinking about who does and doesn’t get a scholarship, we begin to hypothesize that it is only “brainiacs” who get them. We start thinking that you have to be a genius and exceptional in some way in order to get your hands on one of these monetary gifts. This is entirely false! You don’t actually have to be exceptional in any capacity to get a scholarship. In fact, the most important things are to be dedicated, persistent and organized. If you set goals at the beginning of the year, and put in consistent effort to achieve these goals, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to land yourself a scholarship. In this situation, we must refer ourselves to the SMART goals formula. We want to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed goals. By setting goals before the time starts to perform, we are able to really get down to work without getting distracted or forgetting what it is that we are doing.

    An example of a SMART goal related to getting yourself a scholarship is to fulfill all the requirements by the end of the year. This is a smart goal because it specifies exactly how many of the requirements you want to fulfill – all of them. It is measurable because you are specifying how many requirements you want to fulfill – you can count them. It is achievable and realistic because you have read through the requirements and know that you are able to do what is asked. Finally, it is timed because you want to fulfill all of the requirements by the end of the year. When we set goals in advance, we are better able to tackle the requirements ahead of us. We know what we want and we can work steadily towards attaining that end.

    An important thing to keep in mind with goals and getting scholarships is that there will always be setbacks whenever we are attempting to achieve anything. If you think that it will be easy and a piece of cake, you are probably kidding yourself. There will be times when you will want to give up, and it is at these times that you need to remember to persist and, if necessary, make some changes. There will also be setbacks which can come in the form of failures and/or losses. This is a natural part of the process and the important thing is to keep on going, stay committed to your goals and try for the best outcome.

    Getting a scholarship is like playing soccer. Think of yourself as the lead forward; You are trying to score as many points as is possible. You may set a goal to get 8 goals, and you will try as hard as you possibly can to get 8, but if you end up with 6 or 7 you will still have done a great job. The important thing to remember is that setting goals before we begin a task will help enormously to secure a positive outcome. Good luck!

  • Money Management

    Money Management

    Times are rough and life will throw you costly curve balls. You need to know how to manage your money and maximize your saving skills so you are ready for any financial emergencies you may have to face.

    If you’re receiving any kind of financial help, you may be thinking, “I don’t really need to worry, I have help if something were to happen”. The truth is these options may not always be there. Learning how to fend for yourself will make costly times a lot easier to handle and give you a rewarding sense of independence. So let’s get to it by prioritizing where your money goes:

    Housing and Rent
    Food
    Transportation
    Credit and Banking
    Utilities and Telephone
    Health Care
    Pets
    Recreation

    Housing and rent. If you’re working, a good way to budget yourself would be to split your paycheques up to make sure you’ll have your rent ready for the end of the month. If you get paid bi-weekly, every two weeks split your rent into two and save that amount from each pay. So if your rent is $500, save $250 per pay. This is a safe way of ensuring you are saving for rent and can also budget for other things during the month.

    Transportation. Take advantage of bus tickets and bus passes depending on the amount of traveling you do and try to be productive in your travels. If you drive, that applies to you too. Make a plan before you leave and go from point A to point B strategically to save gas. If you’re one of those good people who are always giving lifts to your friends, it’s okay to ask your friends to pitch in a bit of gas money from time to time. Give them the opportunity to be a good friend, too.

    Credit and banking. Bank fees aren’t too bad these days (especially if you are a student) – it’s your credit card you have to be frugal with. Having a credit card at such a young age is one of my biggest regrets. Ince you have got yourself into credit card debt, its really hard to get out. We are living in a material world and it is very tempting to go shopping and buy things we really don’t need and could very well live without. Try your best to be smart in these times. Credit cards are for emergencies only – you don’t want to have to use them unless you really need to.

    Health care. In Canada we are lucky that most things are covered by our government health plan. But some things may not be, such as dental appointments. Many post-secondary institutions offer health plans with your tuition to help cover these types of costs. If you are under a certain age, you may still be covered by the health plan your mom or dad has through their employer. Be sure to check into both of these options.

    Utilities and telephone. Be energy smart: if you don’t need a light on, turn it off. If you don’t need the water coming from the tap, turn it off. I admit I used to leave the water running while I brushed my teeth for three minutes. Once I stopped doing it, I saw a huge difference in my utility bill just from not running my water senselessly for six minutes a day. As for your cell phone, there are plenty of good plans out there – but also plenty of rubbish ones. Make sure whatever plan you’re choosing is really working for you and that you’re not paying any more than the amount you agreed to. If you are, it is time to change your plan or service provider.

    Pets. Dogs and cats are adorable, I know. We all see them and instantly want them. But if you’re in school and working, you usually don’t have time for them. They are costly and require their own food, medical attention, and grooming. Make sure you’re making the right decision for you AND your furry loved ones.

    I hope this has given you a bit of an eye-opening incentive to be smart with your spending so you can live a less stressful life and be ready for any sudden expenses that might come your way. Happy saving!

  • Being Happy On a Budget

    Being Happy On a Budget

    Do you want to be rich or poor after you finish school? You might think the answer is obvious. Very few people actually choose to be poor. Being poor means constantly being careful about money and often giving up a lot of things you might want. It means living on a limited budget, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of fun.

    Most people have to live on a budget at some point in their lives. These days even highly educated people, who have traditionally earned high incomes, often have to survive on very low salaries in positions such as fast-food servers or cleaners. In difficult economic times, it can be hard to make enough money to pay the bills. In that case, how can you ever earn enough to have fun?

    Even on a tight budget, however, life doesn’t have to be bleak. With creativity and careful planning, you can still have fun even while watching your pennies. The most important thing when you design your budget is to remember what’s important to you and to plan around that. After you pay for the basics like housing, food, and clothes, you have to decide how to spend or save the money you have left.

    How you spend money depends on your situation and what you consider important. Living with your parents or with several roommates can help save a lot of rent money, or you can look after other people’s houses. If you live on your own, learning to like inexpensive foods like beans and lentils can help cut down on your grocery bills. Using coupons, looking for sales, and buying food in bulk can also help. If you find interesting recipes and know how to use spices, you can make good food without spending a lot of money. You can also allow yourself to have an occasional steak or restaurant meal to make it easier to stick to your budget.

    Entertainment can still be part of life on a budget. Instead of going to the movies on Friday evenings, you can spend time at a park or the zoo or attend a free cultural event like a concert. You can make gifts for people instead of buying them and you can turn a trip to the dollar store into a fun outing with friends. You can share your belongings with others and borrow from them, and maybe make new friends at the same time.

    Learning to live on a budget might even help you get a good job. Employers who are looking for people to manage budgets, for example, might be impressed if you know how to get the most out of a small amount of money. The leadership and cooperation skills you learn while living on a small amount of money might also be valuable. Even if that doesn’t work, you can still use the skills you’ve learned throughout the rest of your life.

    Living on a budget doesn’t have to mean the end of fun; it can be a beginning of something new and exciting. With creativity and determination, you can make a low income work for you.

  • Cash Advance Loans and Students – A Dangerous Mix

    Cash Advance Loans and Students – A Dangerous Mix

    Are you a college student wondering how online cash advance/payday loans fit into your finances? If you are a smart college student, then you will know online payday loans are only for emergencies. The payoff comes in just a few short weeks, so steady income is a must in order to pay it off without putting more damage into your finances.

    Here are five tips for college students who are looking to get their finances off on the right foot.

    1. Take your time getting new credit. For every creditor you apply with, there will be a mark left on your credit score. Hard inquiries to your credit done by potential creditors looking up your history will take a few points off your score for a year or two at a time. When your finances are just starting, this could bring you low really fast. Low credit scores will be denied. Too many creditors applying at once is also a warning sign for potential creditors that the applicant is desperate for cash. New creditors may take a different approach and offer incentives for the new debtor to spend more. A college student is an easy target for many marketing campaigns. Newcomers to finances are often attractive to reward programs which can trap the debtor into spending more than intended.

    2. Don’t spend your credit on frivolous things then leave yourself no room for emergency costs. Emergency costs do not need to be funded by online cash advance loans when you have room on your credit card to lighten the load. When you use and manage your credit account wisely, they are a great source of third party money to help you get by and build your credit at the same time. Make your payments on time and keep the balance below 30% whenever possible.

    3. If you are having trouble finding a creditor to approve you, you can fall back on being an authorized user on one of their accounts or have them be a co-signer to start you out on your own. The issue here is that your parents, or whomever you choose as your co-signer, will be responsible for any debt you accrue. They will also be privy to what you charge, when you charge it and where. This may not matter to some people but if you are one who may not be the best manager of money, it could be a sticky point in the relationship. If you are going to take this route, make it work for you so your credit will build into something helpful when you graduate.

    4. Are you coming out of college and are finding your student loan debt to be financially draining? Don’t default on these loans. The federal government is not a creditor you want to have after your money. Before you miss a payment, look into finding a way to defer the starting date if you still have not gotten full-time work. Ask about reduced payments or changing your payment dates to better fit your pay cycle. If you have multiple loans, try to consolidate them for a lower monthly payment. Managing your money by making on time payments may best be done with automatic payments. Some people are not organized enough to make on time payments even when they have the cash in the bank.

    5. Look into your options, which include deferring payments for a short amount of time, making reduced payments, or re-configuring your current payment schedule. Also consider consolidating multiple loans into one new loan. This often results in a lower monthly payment. Have the loan amount directly withdrawn from your bank account so you never pay late.

    Cash advance loan lenders offer emergency cash for those times when there is no other place to turn. College students often do not have the income needed to support an approval. A responsible lender will not want loan to someone without a certain income. College students have it tough in the beginning but will have great financial success when managed correctly.

  • Earning An Academic Scholarship

    Earning An Academic Scholarship

    With rising costs of education, the competition for academic scholarships is increasing, too. Paying for your education through a scholarship you earn is an impressive way to study. You don’t need to be a “genius” in order to secure a scholarship for your education. All you need to do is search for sources and apply at the right times to the right places. There are numerous organizations that work to ensure that the people who actually deserve a chance, get it. However, if you’ve never applied for a scholarship before there’s a chance that you do not know where to begin. This article is meant to give you some tips that should make your basics clearer.

    •There are college scholarships and grants that could be anywhere between a few hundred dollars per semester to those that cover all your education expenses. If you manage to get a complete scholarship it would cover your boarding and tuition fees and even cover the costs of your books.

    •There are a few scholarships that are only available to selected schools. Before you take up admission in an educational institution, make sure that you check out the various kinds of scholarships as well as the different kinds of expenses they cover.

    •So as to increase the probability of being selected for a scholarship in the educational institution of your choice, and in the course you prefer, apply at all the places possible.

    •Use all sources of information. It is really important to find the right information at the right time. Use all search engines available to you!

    •Make sure you read the fine print before you sign up for anything. There are various kinds of assistance, including loans:
    1.Some student scholarships are merit based and may be totally free.
    2.Some scholarships need to be repaid without any interest accumulating on the principle amount.
    3.Some companies dole out merit based scholarships which are actually contractual in nature – these imply that you will work for these companies once you have finished your education. There may be a bond period specified, after which you are free to join other companies.

    College scholarships, grants, and fellowships are available from federal, provincial and private organizations for students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs and vocational and technical schools. There are also scholarships for high school seniors available for those just entering post-secondary education. There are even scholarships and grants available to students for primary and secondary education.

    Whatever reasons you may have to apply for a scholarship, whether it is to re-enter educational studies, to advance your career, to change careers, or to re-enter the work force, you have the right to apply for a scholarship. Some funding organizations may require you or your family to have moderate to low income or for you to have achieved a certain GPA. However, not all agencies require these standards to be met. Look into all of your options and find the perfect scholarship for you!

  • December Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    December Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    Welcome to our listing of ten new scholarships for December! Be sure to check out the information for each one to see if you are eligible to apply.

    2013 is only one month away, which means many scholarships for the summer and fall 2013 academic years will begin accepting applications. It’s never too early to start working on your applications for scholarships next year! You work hard for your grades – now go out and get that free money!

    1 – AFOA and Potash Corp Aboriginal Youth Financial Management Award – For Aboriginal students in Grades 11 and 12. Amount of Award: $5,000. Application deadline: January 11, 2013.

    2 – Nova Scota Recycles Contest and Scholarship Program – For Nova Scotia students in Grade 12. Amount of Awards: $750-$5000. Application Deadline: February 8, 2013 (Earlybird deadline is December 14, 2012).

    3 – House of Commons Page Program – For students beginning their university or college studies in the National Capital Region. The page program involves working at the Hosue of Commons for 15 hours per week beginning in August 2013 (hours will be worked around university/college schedule). Amount of Award: $13,049 over the 12 month period of work, including a lump sum payment of $1200 at the end of your work placement. Application Deadline: December 20, 2012

    4 – Kin Canada Bursaries – 35 different awards for students across Canada. Amount of award: $1000. Application deadline: February 1, 2013

    5 – Explore Language Immersion and Bursary – Five week French immersion course for students across Canada. A bursary is also provided to cover all costs of the program. Amount of award: $2000. Application deadline: February 28, 2013.

    6 – Youth In Motion – Top 20 Under 20 Program – Open to Canadian students under the age of 20 who have demonstrated significant amounts of innovation, leadership and achievements in their life, school, community, province or country. Amount of award: No set financial reward. Prize is based on networking opportunities, free trip to Toronto and media recognition as a youth leader. Application deadline: Spring 2013.

    7 – Encana Community Scholarship – Awarded to a Grade 12 student entering post-secondary studies in an oil and gas industry-related field. Amount of award: $2500 for each year of your degree. Application deadline: May 2, 2013

    8 – Scholarship of the Bell Aliant Pioneer Volunteers – Awarded to a Grade 12 student living with vision loss in Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island. Amount of award: $2000. Application deadline: April 30, 2013.

    9 – ECO Canada Newalta Aboriginal Environmental Scholarship – Three awards available to Aboriginal students across Canada who have shown leadership in their communities in the areas of environmental protection, resource management, or environmental sustainability. Amount of award: $2500. Application deadline: May 14, 2013.

    10 – The Colonel Douglas H. Gunter Award – Open to all senior students across Canada who will be graduating from high school in Spring 2013. Five awards available. Amount of award: $1000. Application deadline: April 15, 2013.

  • Myth: I Don’t Need Money – My Parents Pay For Everything!

    Myth: I Don’t Need Money – My Parents Pay For Everything!

    Many young students might think that having their parents pay for their school tuition, shelter, transportation, food, clothing, hygiene products, entertainment and anything else would provide them with enough money to survive university. But this is a myth! The reality is that money is more than something that is used to purchase the things you want and need. Making money is more than just having money in your pocket, it is building your path to independence and self-sufficiency. Making your own money on top of whatever amount your parents are giving you is a great way of creating independence for yourself. This is hugely important because when you are not dependent on others for every aspect of your material survival, you can feel empowered and able to make your own choices. Having the feeling that you control your own life and are not dependent on your parents will inevitably allow you to see your life more clearly and to see exactly how your own decisions affect your life.

    Working is valuable for gaining money and for experience that can be used in different areas of your life. When you work you are taking on responsibility and people are depending on you to do the job. Having people depend on you instead of constantly depending on others is empowering and reinforces your independence. Additionally, building your work experience looks great on a resume and will help you later in life when looking for a job and for getting through your day-to-day life tasks that inevitably require some taking on of responsibility.

    Having your own money also allows you to have a little fun and minimize the guilt you feel when you spend the money your parents give you. If you want to go on a trip to Wonderland with your friends, get your nails done or even buy some new shoes, having your own source of income will allow you to make these little trips and purchases that make life worthwhile. When you have your own money, you are more in charge of the direction that your life will take. Overall, money enables you to be independent and to make choices better suited to you than you would if you were dependent on your parents.

  • A Five Year Degree – The Financial Benefit

    A Five Year Degree – The Financial Benefit

    Many people believe that gaining a degree should take four years. Most programs at colleges and universities are designed as four year programs, often with students moving together in cohorts, or with higher level classes being offered only in alternating years. This is a system that is overdue to change, as there are several advantages to taking an extra year for studies.

    The first benefit is financial. Colleges and universities are expensive, and even with bursaries, scholarships and grants, it can be hard to make ends meet. By spreading the fees over five years, they become slightly more manageable, though the resulting extra year of living expenses must be weighed. As well, taking fewer classes per year allows for availability for a part time job, so that students may graduate with less of a debt load.

    Another benefit is a little more breathing room in the schedule, more time to focus on each class and not face quite as much pressure. Moving to a five year schedule, students can go from five classes a term to four or even take fewer during the school year and do some over the summer, at the school or through an online university. This allows for a better life balance, with more time for other activities, be they work, fitness, social or simply having more time to study for the classes one is taking. If the program is one that makes use of cohorts, it may be impossible to spread the education out in the final years of school, but this model still works for most students.

    So why not investigate the possibility of stretching your degree out to five years? You may find that it is the perfect circumstance for you! You’ll save money and reduce your stress level.