Category: Scholarships

The COVID-19 pandemic has many people justifiably worried. We have to consider our own health, the safety of the elderly and vulnerable, and the path forward in a very uncertain time. Nevertheless, a very urgent concern is also a familiar one: money. The pandemic has resulted in record levels of job loss and economic uncertainty. People are losing their income and savings without knowing when they will get them back. It is more important than ever to think about your finances. There are steps you can take to help lessen this impact and keep yourself afloat during this time.

Many companies find themselves facing an uncertain future without the regular flow of customers. This has resulted in numerous workers being laid off or having reduced hours. Canadians find themselves in a situation where they are without income but still have bills, rent, or a mortgage to pay. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit is one program designed to help, providing up to $2,000 monthly to those who lost work due to the pandemic. Employment Insurance is also still available. Additional benefits are being offered to businesses to help keep them afloat and their employees paid.

Investments and stocks have plummeted, impacting retirement funds and savings accounts across the country. Instead of withdrawing from these funds, Canadians strapped for cash can first turn to a line of credit and take advantage of low interest rates for a short-term loan. With current interest rates, people are more likely to take on brief loans to cover cashflow issues. This means tenants can negotiate with their landlord to have their rent payments deferred. Homeowners can request mortgage payment deferrals from the bank; this may result in additional interest, but this is nowhere near as problematic as failing to make a mortgage payment. Even credit card companies, notorious for their high interest, are offering forms of relief to customers such as reduced rates.

This is also the time to look at your own budget. The very nature of social distancing means more time at home, which entails less eating out and other activities that add up. Take the time to review your expenditures and decide what you can do without for the next while. Streaming services like Netflix are perfect for nights at home. But you might not need many of them, and can even share some accounts with family and friends to help them save. Take advantage of coupons and sales at the supermarket. It is great to support local businesses by getting take out or going to their websites, but limit it to what you can afford. Refrain from the temptation of excessive online shopping while stuck at home.

Widespread unemployment, decreased consumerism, and nosediving investments have all led to many people losing money during the COVID-19 pandemic. But you are not left without options! Take a look at government programs, deferred payments, and cost-saving measures that can help you and your family. By knowing the types of support that are available, you can try to ensure that money is not a major concern at this time. With one less worry off your plate, you can focus on time with loved ones and getting through this together.

Sources:

Friend, David. “Suddenly strapped for cash: Financial advisers on dealing with COVID-19 fallout.” CTV News. https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/suddenly-strapped-for-cash-financial-advisers-on-dealing-with-covid-19-fallout-1.4876280

Pope, Amanda. “Canadians will make and lose money amid the coronavirus outbreak: expert.” Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/6655962/coronavirus-finances/

Robinson, Andrew. “People need to budget for COVID-19 pandemic, financial management experts warn.” The Telegram. https://www.thetelegram.com/news/local/people-need-to-budget-for-covid-19-pandemic-financial-management-experts-warn-435505/

Change is an inevitable part of life, but perhaps nothing has changed us so drastically like COVID-19, which has brought terrible effects on a global scale. And when there’s something as big as the virus that affects every aspect of our lives, you might start to loose hope for anything good ahead.

The same is true for students in Canada who were in the midst of their much-needed March break when the virus was declared as a pandemic in mid-March, thereby thwarting their plans. Before March, students were busy studying for their mid-terms and completing their papers. And while a few might welcome the respite that the virus has brought to their learning, most are already thinking ahead and worrying how their finances will take a hit given that the summer jobs they’re looking forward to will likely not happen. It’s estimated that at least one million Canadians between the ages of 15 and 24 have a summer job, and this year, there will be far fewer opportunities for them.

So the big question on their minds is how will they be able to pay for their tuition and student loans?

The Federal Government Steps In

The government was quick to respond to workers and employees who were affected by COVID-19 and allocated a budget for them to receive either Employment Insurance (EI) or the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This relief fund is further boosted by the increase in the GST/HST for those who are in middle-income or low-income range. The government also worked hard to reach out to major banks and mortgage companies to suggest easing up on interest rates for homeowners, as well as landlords to holding off on giving out eviction notices. There is more work to be done to help citizens, but this is a start.

Meanwhile, students will be provided a reprieve when it comes to their loans, although this plan has plenty of room for improvement. Last March 18, it was announced that student loan payments are suspended during the COVID-19 crisis and that they will be automatically enrolled into the six-month loan holiday program. However, this solution does not address provincial or territorial payments to private financial institutions, so it was up to provincial and territorial governments whether to follow suit or not and so far, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario have chosen to.

More assistance

Getting a six-month breathing space to pay off student loans is a big help, but there are some who think the government can do a lot more, like Rob Gillezeau, an economics professor at the University of Victoria. He believes that the government can extend the qualifications for CERB so that more students become eligible for it. The Prime Minister has said that there will be a fund for students coming soon, so check out the CRA.ca website to find out more.

Others believe that government relief measures such as the CERB shouldn’t be strictly tied to previous employment so that more students can qualify for it.

How exactly would that pan out for students remains to be seen. However, it seems like things are at least off to a good start as the government recognizes that there is still much to be done.

Looking ahead

All students, whether post-secondary or not, should learn how to be more financially savvy regardless of whether there’s a pandemic or not. This means noting all expenses on a spreadsheet to better track where they are. Treating yourself is tempting whether for a tropical getaway or a fancy watch, it’s always wise to save for a rainy day. Cutting down on indulgences will really go far in the long run.

Higher learning comes with the responsibility of financial expenses. Accepting this responsibility and making an effort to save money will be rewarding in the end.

SOURCES:

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/04/06/features/graduates-lose-placements-face-tough-summer-job-market-due-covid-19

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-many-students-shut-out-of-covid-19-benefits-raising-financial/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/covid-19-coronavirus-pandemic-student-loans-1.5502179

Mission Creek Orthodontics Scholarship

Scholarship Value: $500

Awards Available: 1

Award Deadline: May 15, 2020

Address: https://missioncreekortho.com/orthodontists.php

 

Optimist International Oratorical Contest

Scholarship Value: $2,500

Awards Available: 100

Award Deadline: May 15, 2020

Address: https://www.optimist.org/member/scholarships4.cfm?

 

Automotive Women’s Association Scholarships

Scholarship Value: $2,500

Awards Available: 15

Award Deadline: May 29, 2020

Address: https://awafoundation.org/Scholarships

 

LM Scholarship Program

Scholarship Value: $500

Awards Available: 1

Award Deadline: May 31, 2020

Address: https://studentscholarships.org/grants.php

 

Stuck at Prom Scholarship

Scholarship Value: $10,000

Awards Available: 10

Award Deadline: June 8, 2020

Address: https://www.duckbrand.com/stuck-at-prom

 

De Beers Group Scholarships for Canadian Women

Scholarship Amount: $2,175

Deadline: June 01, 2020

De Beers Group Scholarships for Canadian Women

Provided by De Beers Group

Donor UN Women (HeForShe Initiative)

Renewable:  No

Number Available: 4

Type of Award: Scholarship

Automatic Consideration: No

Address: https://debeersgroup.scholarshipscanada.com/?utm_source=scholarshipscanada&utm_medium=featured&utm_campaign=2020

 

CRi Agricultural Survey – Chance to Win $1,000!

Scholarship Amount: $1,000

Deadline: April 30, 2020

Provided by: CRi Inc.

Renewable: No

Number Available: 1

Type of Award: Contest

Automatic Consideration: No

Address: https://ca.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=YC9FvzoyhtuhGMBGndpXZw%3D%3D

 

Husky Oil Aboriginal Educational Awards Program

$20,000 | Deadline: May 29

Address: https://huskyenergy.com/responsibility/indigenous-relations/scholarships.asp

 

EFC Electrical Industry Scholarships

A total of $140,000 | Deadline: May 31

Address: https://scholarship.electrofed.com/

 

Darren L. Buium Scholarship Award

$1,500 | Deadline: June 15

Address: https://apply.scholarshipscanada.com/scholarship/darren-l-buium-scholarship-award.ezc

Expressing your ideas clearly in a manner that captivates your audience sounds like it’s an easy task, but in reality, it’s a challenging one. This is why most people look up to writers because writing is a skill that can’t be easily acquired. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and what’s better is there are a considerable number of scholarships available to allow you to further improve your skill and master your craft. Let’s take a look into some of them below.

Dr. MacEwan Literary Arts Scholarship

Writers in Alberta are eligible to apply for this $5,000 annual scholarship as long as they are able to demonstrate their remarkable skills in an eligible literary. The candidate also needs to have clear educational or training goals. Deadline for applications falls on March.

The New Brunswick Arts Board Scholarship

A $2,500 scholarship awaits a worthy recipient who will be able to prove their skills in novel writing, play writing, songwriting, and other forms of writing. The scholarship is open to full-time, part-time, or short-term students. Deadline for applications is on October 23, 2020.

Arts Nova Scotia Creation Grant

The idyllic province of Nova Scotia is a perfect environment to launch creative ideas, and the Arts Nova Scotia Creation Grant will be the cherry on top. This grant of up to $15,000 maximum is open to any individual who are passionate about creating in any art form, including writing. The grant can be used towards living expenses and project costs.

Governor General’s Literary Award

This award was launched in 1936 by members of the Canadian Authors Association to put a system of literary prizes in place. It recognizes book writers and their works in both English and French in seven categories including Fiction, Literary Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Young Peple’s Literature – Text, Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books and Translation. The award is $25,000 per winner, with finalists also receiving $1,000 if chosen.

Chalmers Arts Fellowships

This fellowship is open to Ontario-based artists who want to further their artistic practice and have their mind set on long-term artistic development. The recipient must be practicing their art form for at least ten years. Minimum amount is $30,000 and maximum is $50,000 and can cover all eligible expenses.

Manitoba Arts Council

The Manitoba Arts Council provides a $2000 scholarship to qualified recipients with artistic pursuits in undergraduate studies and $3000 to those in graduate studies. The deadline for these scholarships is April 30.

Quebec Arts Council

The Quebec Arts Council provides a variety of grants with a maximum of #25,000 for Quebec-based artists in development or mid-career, including Arts and Literature.

SOURCES

https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/creative-writing-scholarships.html

Money is a deeply awkward topic. That certainly makes sense, and if someone brings up the topic of personal finance at a small discussion during work, a romantic dinner, or even a family reunion, you can bet someone will attempt to change the topic. It’s deeply sensitive because you don’t want to brag about making more money, or be ashamed of not making much money.  It can make other people feel like they’re somehow not as good as others, or the other way around. Discussing your raise at work, a vacation or a new car can lead to jealousy, envy or even bitterness. It can allow for you or your colleagues to be seen in a different light than you may want. This can happen without the money discussion, but it’s easier to not bring up the topic than carefully moderating the discussion about it.

There’s a catch: sometimes it is important to talk about money despite the awkward conversations. There’s a rise in women demanding comparable salaries with their male counterparts, especially since women are still underpaid compared to men. This gets worse if they’re a person of colour or minority. If you are valued at your job, this knowledge can help you get a raise – and to feel just as important to the company as the company feels you are to them.

After graduation, if you enter a marriage, you especially need to discuss money. The assets – but more importantly, debts (as in the amount you owe to various companies or people) can vastly impact your relationship.  Money problems are a leading cause of relationship breakups and divorces.

But back to the question: why do you need to talk about money when you’re looking at scholarships? There are numerous items: how much your parents make can deeply affect your scholarship chances – particularly since your parents or guardians are fully expected to help you contribute to school (and related) expenses. The government often requires income tax data for parents or guardians as part of the process for applying for a student loan.

After a scholarship application, you should consider several factors on the list. Some of the items will be known only after the first week, but can help you figure out a budget, especially since things can be a little tight:

• The cost of education for the school year (which may include your residence and meal plan fees, as well as tuition, books, lab fees and the like)
• Your school supplies (this can be technology equipment and the materials needed to keep them up to date (such as your printer); software programs, writing utensils and textbooks that are required)
• Your rental fees (this can apply to textbooks and if you can sell them back, can be a better option than buying them out right); school equipment, or your housing rent if you are not in residence – and the associated fees (hydro & internet)

There are plenty of low-cost or free options at the university/college that you can still partake in and to have fun, or to educate yourself further in an activity you have always been interested. Your friends may even be in the same boat – and this is when it always comes into play – it’s about the company, not the activity.

And that’s what money etiquette is all about – it’s about avoiding awkward topics so you focus on one thing: your friends and the memories that you are creating.

Diabetes Hope Foundation Scholarship Program

Scholarship Value: $2,500

Awards Available: 35

Award Deadline: March 9, 2020

Address: https://diabeteshopefoundation.com/scholarship-program/

 

Leonard Foundation Financial Assistance Program

Scholarship Value: $1,500

Awards Available: 140

Award Deadline: March 15, 2020

Address: http://www.leonardfnd.org/

 

Queen’s Golden Jubilee Scholarship for the Performing Arts

Scholarship Value: $5,000

Awards Available: 1

Award Deadline: March 20, 2020

Address: https://www.affta.ab.ca/funding/find-funding/queens-golden-jubilee-scholarship-performing-arts

 

Agnes Jacks Scholarship Awards

Scholarship Value: $1,000

Awards Available: 5

Award Deadline: March 31, 2020

Address: https://www.ringette.ca/athletes/scholarships/

 

Automotive Aftermarket Scholarships

Scholarship Value: $5,000

Awards Available: 125

Award Deadline: March 31, 2020

Address: https://www.automotivescholarships.com/index.cfm

 

GRHS Scholarship Essay Contest

Scholarship Value: $1,000

Awards Available: 5

Award Deadline: March 31, 2020

Address: https://www.grhs.org/pages/Current_Contest

 

Kezian Science Scholarship

Scholarship Value: $1,200

Awards Available: 1

Award Deadline: March 31, 2020

Address: https://www.drkezian.com/science-scholarship/

 

Manulife Life Lessons Scholarship Program

Scholarship Amount: $10,000

Deadline: March 31, 2020

Provided by Manulife

Renewable: No

Number Available: 5

Type of Award: Bursary

Automatic Consideration: No

Address: https://webportalapp.com/sp/login/manulife_life_lessons_scholarship_apply

 

North American Indian Scholarships

Scholarship Value: $1,000

Awards Available: 2

Award Deadline: April 1, 2020

Address: https://iokds.org/scholarships/native-american-scholarship-program/

 

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Young Women in Public Affairs Award

Scholarship Value: $4,000

Awards Available: 42

Award Deadline: April 1, 2020 (Deadline Estimated)

Address: https://foundation.zonta.org/Our-Programs/Educational-Programs/Young-Women-in-Public-Affairs-Award

A scholarship is a financial award that is given to a student in order to help them continue their education. There are different kinds of scholarships and they will all have different criteria to be eligible and to of course, be awarded the scholarship. It is often believed that you need to either achieve excellent grades or be a superstar at sports to receive a scholarship, but that is not the case. While some students get scholarships due to their academic or sports abilities, there are still other ways to receive scholarships.

When looking for scholarships to apply for there are plenty of resources for finding ones that are a good fit for you. Talking to staff at your school is a good start, they might have information about scholarships you can apply for or other places you can find some.

You can also look online, in fact, the site you are reading this on right now (jobspeopledo.com) has lists of scholarships posted each month, with information about deadlines, how much the awards are and where to apply for them. Other websites that have information about scholarships are scholarshipscanada.com and studentawards.com. Studentawards.com will send emails to you with information about scholarships you can apply for.

If you have already been accepted and chosen the school you want to attend, another good place to find out about scholarships is at colleges and universities, often post-secondary schools have scholarships specifically for their students and students planning to attend there to apply for.

You may also be able to get information about scholarships through your bank, setting up a meeting with someone from your bank to ask about it is smart. And if you have a job you might be able to talk to your employer, there is a possibility that the company gives out scholarships. If not you can also ask other businesses in your area if they offer scholarships.

If you know what you are going to school for, look for scholarships in that field of study. It will make it easier for you to know which ones you should be applying for.

Applying for scholarships is a good idea because post-secondary education is expensive and although being awarded a scholarship will not make the expense completely disappear, it can definitely help cut it down. A lot of scholarship application deadlines end in May, while some end before or after that, it is smart to always be on the lookout, and keep track of the deadlines. Each year so many scholarships are not given out because students do not bother to apply for them, which is even more reason to apply.

As you can tell there are a lot of ways to find scholarships you may want to apply for, and there are lots of scholarships to find. So, get looking and get your post-secondary education at a price that will result in slightly less student debt in the future, because your education is important!

ExploraVision Awards

Scholarship Value: $10,000

Awards Available: 40

Award Deadline: February 10, 2020

Address: https://www.exploravision.org/rules-requirements

 

Harry Arthurs Alumni Families Entrance Scholarship

Scholarship Value: $24,000

Awards Available: 1

Award Deadline: February 15, 2020

Address:  https://sfs.yorku.ca/scholarships/award-search?awardID=0750

 

John Proctor Scholarship

Scholarship Value: $8,000

Awards Available: 1

Award Deadline: February 15, 2020

Address:  https://sfs.yorku.ca/scholarships/award-search?awardID=0268

 

John Proctor Scholarship

Scholarship Value: $8,000

Awards Available: 1

Award Deadline: February 15, 2020

Address: https://sfs.yorku.ca/scholarships/award-search?awardID=0268

 

York University Bruce Bryden Scholarship

Scholarship Value: $8,000

Awards Available: 1

Award Deadline: February 15, 2020

Address: https://sfs.yorku.ca/scholarships/award-search?awardID=0910

 

Information Security Undergraduate Scholarship

Scholarship Value: $5,000

Awards Available: 20

Award Deadline: February 17, 2020

Address: https://iamcybersafe.org/s/undergraduate-scholarships

 

Women’s Cyber Security Scholarships

Scholarship Value: $6,000

Awards Available: 10

Award Deadline: February 17, 2020

Address: https://iamcybersafe.org/s/womens-scholarships

 

Optimist International Essay Contest

Scholarship Value: $2,500

Awards Available: 45

Award Deadline: February 28, 2020

Address:  https://www.optimist.org/member/scholarships3.cfm?

 

RBC Indigenous Student Awards Program

Scholarship Value: $4,000

Awards Available: 10

Award Deadline: February 28, 2020

Address: http://aboriginalstudents.ca/site-sponsors/rbc/

 

Dr. Ed O’Connor Scholarship

Scholarship Value: $5,000

Awards Available: 1

Award Deadline: March 1, 2020

Address: https://awards.stfx.ca/p/a/23068/

 

Harrison McCain Scholarship

Scholarship Value: $16,000

Awards Available: 5

Award Deadline: March 1, 2020

Address: https://www.dal.ca/admissions/money_matters/funding_sources/scholarships/prospective_students.html

Getting an education can help people find good jobs and even a purpose in life. Paying for courses can be difficult, but financial aid can help. For Indigenous students, special scholarships can be useful for getting an education.

Various organizations offer scholarships for Indigenous students going into post-secondary programs. Indspire, formerly called the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, has information on scholarships available across Canada for students entering programs at colleges and universities, including trades, health careers, and more.

For high school students planning on going to university, one option is the Indspire Star Scholarship for Business/Engineering. Students should have average grades of at least 75-80% and be involved in campus clubs and other organizations. The student who wins this scholarship can receive $5000 per year for four years if the funding is renewed.

This is only one of the scholarships available to Indigenous students. The Irving K. Barber Indigenous Awards are available to all Indigenous students, and the New Relationship Trust Scholarships and Bursaries are open to all Indigenous students from British Columbia.

Each province or territory has its own awards for students, available for studies in that region. For example, the Winnipeg School Division has a number of scholarships for Indigenous students, and Manitoba Hydro has awards that include the Science Fair Award and the First Year Information Technology bursary. Often, companies like these have opportunities for students to receive large or small amounts of money to go towards their tuition or other expenses.

The different levels of government and crown corporations are also good sources of funding for post-secondary schooling. Often, governments have scholarships designated for students who have achieved a certain level of marks or who are planning on going into certain fields. Canada Post is also a good place to check for scholarships, as well as other government-related organizations.

Bursaries are usually smaller than scholarships, and they are available only once for each student, while scholarships might run over several years. Often, people establish bursaries to honour someone, such as with the Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation Bursaries or the Tim McLean Memorial Bursary. These awards might be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a thousand or more.

Finding a scholarship might take some time, but it can be worth the effort. Receiving even a few hundred dollars might make the difference between struggling for food and eating well, or between having to take a second evening job or being able to stay home to study.

However, it is important to know the requirements of each scholarship. Many of them are at least partly based on grades in school, and it is important to study hard. However, the people who fund the scholarships also want to know that the recipients also have other good qualities, such as helpfulness and kindness. If you are Indigenous, you can already start to develop the academic and personal qualities that will help you get the scholarship you want.

Bibliography:

Aboriginal Learning Links. “Scholarships/Bursaries.” http://aboriginallearning.ca/scholarshipsbursaries/.

Government of Canada. “Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool.” https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1351185180120/1351685455328.

Indspire. “Bursaries, Scholarships, and Awards.” https://indspirefunding.ca/.

Indspire. “The Indspire Star Scholarship for Business/Engineering.” https://indspirefunding.ca/indspire-star-scholarship/.

University of Toronto. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. “Scholarships and Bursaries for Indigenous Students.” https://www.oise.utoronto.ca/ien/Scholarships_and_Bursaries.html.

Winnipeg School Division. “Indigenous Student Scholarships.”  https://www.winnipegsd.ca/students/studentinformation/financial-help/scholarships/aboriginal-student-scholarships/Pages/Default.aspx.