Bursaries and Scholarships
The Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada is dedicated to helping Aboriginals reach the highest standard of excellence in finance and management. AFOA’s initiatives in the development of Awards and Scholarships are examples of that commitment.
See link below for scholarships and bursaries.
http://www.metisnation.org/programs/education–training/education/bursaries–scholarships
For many young people, the temptation of their first credit card is too much to resist. That is why credit card companies will often set up booths on college and university campuses across Canada to tempt you with free gifts and low interest rates for signing up with them. While credit cards can be an excellent way to build your credit rating, the responsibility that comes with owning one cannot be overlooked.
When I first entered college, I saw a booth on campus advertising free NHL hockey blankets for signing up. Not only that, but acceptance was virtually guaranteed. For someone fresh out of high school, a credit card makes you feel important and like an adult. Being able to use it whenever you want to buy clothes, electronics, make-up and more is a thrill. The thrill will soon wear off when you realize that you have used up most of your credit limit in only a few months and have no way to pay it off.
Credit cards should not be taken lightly. While the company may advertise an interest rate of 1.99%, this is often only an introductory offer and the rate will skyrocket to 18% or higher after your first month. This means, on a $100 purchase, you will be paying $18 in interest directly to the credit card company. Over several months of not paying off your balance in full, this quickly adds up. Soon you will owe hundreds of dollars that you didn’t even spend!
If you do decide to sign up for a credit card, there are several things you can do to reduce the temptation of overspending. The first, and most important, is to make sure you have the funds needed to pay off your balance before you even use your credit card. Paying off your balance in full each month is an excellent way to build a credit rating, as you are showing the bank that you are responsible and have a steady income. The second is to leave your credit card at home and do not carry it with you in your wallet. This tactic helps to eliminate the temptation of overspending and using the card for purchases you do not need.
Of course, there is always online shopping. Online shopping should only be done when absolutely necessary (for Christmas gifts, for example). It is also advisable to get a credit card with a low credit limit – $1000 should be your absolute maximum. Anything higher and you run the risk of using it frivolously.
Credit cards can be an excellent tool for building your credit rating and establishing yourself, if used responsibly. If you decide to sign up for a credit card, ensure you take the steps outlined above to reduce overspending and, ultimately, reduce your stress level. After all, who needs extra stress during exams?
If you are considering the possibility of graduate school, one of the most daunting factors for you to consider could be how you will pay for it. Don’t worry! There are many scholarships available to students pursuing everything from engineering to the arts. Some of the financial aid your school offers is competitive and based on performance, and others are based on applicant needs. While the types of support offered varies by university, I use Laurentian University in Barrie and Sudbury Ontario as an example of some of the types of support offered for this article. For accurate descriptions of the types of support offered, please view your school’s website. Graduate students can apply for graduate teaching assistantships or research assistantships, summer fellowships, scholarships and bursaries (based on merit and need) and OSAP (based on need).
Teaching assistantships or research assistantships are valued at $7,350 for Masters students and $12,075 for PhD students and are opportunities that full time students registered in the first two years of their masters program or in the first 4 years of their graduate degree can take advantage of. These can be in the form of 10 hr/week teaching positions in the University or fellowships (“A temporary position at an academic institution with limited teaching duties and ample time for research” (Wiktionary, 2013)). Summer fellowships are valued at $1000 and gives graduate students the opportunity to work full-time on their research during the summer. Research assistantantships are available in select cases and based on availability of faculty to support graduate students wishing to pursue this option. The criteria for receiving scholarships and bursaries varies by school, so check your school’s graduate studies program website for further details on the scholarships and their respective deadlines. Typically, these supports are available to applicants in their first and second year of their program who are enrolled into full time studies and are Canadian residents. OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) is designed to help students who are in financial need. Interested students may view eligibility criteria and apply through the website at www.osap.com.
If the next step on your career path requires you to pursue graduate education and you’re broke, never fear! There are many options suited for students in different situations. Keep your head up and take a look at your graduate studies website for more information on what is best suited for you!
It’s November, so we know what you’re thinking about – getting through exams and counting down the days to when you will be on holidays come December. If you’re planning on starting post-secondary education next fall, thinking about scholarships is something you need to pencil in, too! Many scholarships are accepting applications NOW. Get yours in while everyone else is concentrating on Christmas vacation and you’ll have an even better shot at scoring that free money!
1. Canadian Society for the Study of Religion Undergraduate Student Essay Contest – Open to all students enrolled in an undergraduate program at any school. Amount: $250. Deadline: April 18, 2014.
2. Burger King Scholars Awards – Open to all students across Canada who are employed by Burger King or who are children of Burger King employees. Amount: Up to $50,000. Deadline: January 10, 2014.
3. Terry Fox Humanitarian Award – Open to all students across Canada who demonstrate voluntary humanitarian work. Amount: $7000. Deadline: February 1, 2014.
4. Dalton Camp Award – Open to all students across Canada. Amount: $10,000. Deadline: November 15, 2013.
5. TD Scholarships for Community Leadership – Open to all students across Canada. 20 awards available! Amount: Up to $70,000 over 4 years. Deadline: December 6, 2013.
6. RBC Students Leading Change Scholarship for Undergraduates – Open to all students across Canada entering post-secondary education on 2014. Amount: Varies. Deadline: Applications available November 1, 2013 – deadline TBD.
7. Horatio Alger Canada Scholarship Program – Open to students in Quebec, Ontario, BC or Alberta. Amount: $5000. Deadline: December 1, 2013.
Bursaries and Scholarships
The Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada is dedicated to helping Aboriginals reach the highest standard of excellence in finance and management. AFOA’s initiatives in the development of Awards and Scholarships are examples of that commitment.
See link below for scholarships and bursaries.
http://www.metisnation.org/programs/education–training/education/bursaries–scholarships
Let’s get real. Post-secondary education is expensive and very few people have thousands of dollars casually lying around the house. Most of us are in search of cash — the type that you don’t have to pay back. In other words, we’re all searching for those illustrious scholarships. If you’re new at this whole “applying-for-scholarships-because-I-need-money-to-pay-for-school-which-suddenly-isn’t-free-anymore” thing, then you’ve come to the right place.
Here are seven helpful tips that could help you score some extra cash!
1. You do not get scholarships for simply existing. Almost every scholarship application that you come across is going to inquire about your extracurricular activities and community involvement. You need to do something, be a part of something, or participate in something. You don’t necessarily need to be the three-time reigning champion of every competition you compete in, or the newly-elected President for every fancy club that you’re a part of. You simply need to get out there and participate.
2. One of the hardest parts of getting free money is finding free money. Luckily, there are people who dedicate themselves to doing it for you! Make sure to check out websites like Scholarship Canada. They have information on hundreds of scholarships— both large and small. Also, take a glance at your school’s website. The majority of Guidance Councillors will actually post a list of scholarships that they’ve come across. But don’t stop there. Go the extra mile and go digging through the websites of other schools. You’re guaranteed to come across a fresh new list filled with new opportunities.
3. Keep your eye out for obscure scholarships offered by smaller organizations. This may require an advanced Google search and some serious digging but this very well might be the key to your first scholarship. Most students set their targets on big scholarships offered by well-known companies. There’s no harm in applying for those, but your chances quickly diminish when you’re facing so much competition. However, with the lesser-known scholarships that might be sitting on page 17 of a Google search, your chances of standing out in the significantly smaller crowd are far higher.
4. Your best bet to scoring a scholarship is to apply to as many as possible. This may sound frighteningly obvious but you would be surprised by how many people lay all of their eggs in one basket. Yes, it’s time-consuming and painstakingly tedious but you need to apply, apply, and apply some more!
5. If a scholarship application sounds too long, too boring, or too overwhelming, there’s a pretty good chance that other students are going to think the same thing and avoid it all together. This, of course, means that you should go ahead and do it! The more tedious the application is, the less competition you’re going to have. So suck it up and get writing!
6. Never lie. Don’t lie about your qualifications, achievements, activities, awards, or anything of the sort. Just don’t! If you get caught, you’ll suffer from third-degree embarrassment and, even worse, you may sever some really important connections.
7. Most organizations will release profiles of the previous year’s winner. Take a look at those to find out what kind of people they’re looking for. This might give you some ideas on what to include in your own application.
When deciding whether or not to attend university, for many people financial questions are at the top of the list to get answered. Luckily, there are many scholarships and bursaries available for those who have achieved academic excellence or demonstrated outstanding achievement in other areas. There are also scholarships that are awarded based on financial aid, so don’t despair – there is likely something to fit your situation.
Major scholarships are awards distributed based on academic excellence and community involvement. In Ontario, the chancellor’s scholarship requires an application and is valued at $10,000/year (renewable) and is awarded to students whose average surpasses 90%, have considerable community involvement and who demonstrate leadership. The president’s scholarship also requires an application and is valued at $7,500/year (renewable) and is awarded to students whose average surpasses 90%, have considerable community involvement and who demonstrate leadership. The dean’s scholarship is valued at $5,000/year (renewable) and is awarded to students whose average surpasses 90%, have considerable community involvement and who demonstrate leadership. It’s important to note that, for those students who do receive a major scholarship, they are no longer eligible to receive an academic excellence award, community service bursary or leadership award. This is in line with a university’s policy to restrict the amount of funds given to any one student. The scholarships are also subject to change based on the amount of funds available in any given year.
There are also many other scholarships that are valued at lesser amounts, but still worth trying to get. The academic pathways scholarship does not require an application, is valued at $1000 and is for those with over an 80% average and at least 30 transfer credits from college or university. The student-athlete award does not require an application, is valued at 3,500/year (renewable) and is for those with over an 80% average and are a member of a varsity level sports team. The northern and central Ontario awards do not require an application and are valued at $1000 with the criteria being that the student has maintained over an 80% average and high school was attended in the select region (northern or central). The Aboriginal and Francophone excellence awards do require an application and are valued at $1,500 and $1,250/ year, respectively. They require over an 80% average and having completed a native studies course or have taken at least 4 courses in French. Community service bursaries require an application and and are valued at $1000/year (renewable). The criteria is, again, over an 80% average with demonstrated leadership and community service experience as well as financial need.
There are a lot of other scholarships for you to peruse to determine your eligibility on your university’s website or right here on JobsPeopleDo.com. Remember, if you apply for something you think you might be eligible for, you are ahead of the people that don’t even bother to apply. Take a chance and good luck!
It’s only October, so you’re probably not even thinking about scholarships for your first year of college or university next fall. But did you know that many scholarships are awarded early in 2014? That means you need to start working on your application now! Get a head start on your competition and get those applications in now – you’ll be glad you did! Check out some of the scholarships and bursaries we found that are open right now.
1. Dean’s Scholarship – open to students attending any school across Canada and taking any program. Amount: $1500. Deadline: October 10, 2013.
2. TD Scholarships for Community Leadership – open to students across Canada who are in their final year of high school and have demonstrated leadership and community involvement. Amount: $70,000 over four years. Deadline: December 6, 2013.
3. Indspire Aboriginal Health Careers Program – open to Aboriginal students entering a health studies program next year. Amount: $1000. Deadline: November 1, 2013.
4. RBC Students Leading Change Scholarship for Undergraduates – open to students across Canada in their final year of high school and entering any post-secondary program next year. Amount: TBD. Deadline: Applications start November 1, 2013.
5. Loran Award – open to all students across Canada in their final year of high school. Amount: $80,000 over four years. Deadline: October 23, 2013.
6. Canada Student Grant for Students from Low-Income Families – grants for students from low-income families who have applied (and been approved) for a Canada Student Loan. Amount: $250 per month of study. Deadline: Open
7. Canada Student Grant for Students from Middle-Income Families – grants for students from middle-income families who have applied (and been approved) for a Canada Student Loan. Amount: $100 per month of study. Deadline: Open
Bursaries and Scholarships
The Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada is dedicated to helping Aboriginals reach the highest standard of excellence in finance and management. AFOA’s initiatives in the development of Awards and Scholarships are examples of that commitment.
See link below for scholarships and bursaries.
http://www.metisnation.org/programs/education–training/education/bursaries–scholarships
Preparing to enter college or university next year? Applying for scholarships now ensures you are ahead of the curve! Many scholarships and bursaries take applications well in advance, so students will be able to budget their scholarship prize money into their school finances. There is a scholarship for everyone, so don’t hesitate to apply. After all, every little bit helps when it comes to paying for your college education!
1. Tronia Systems Scholarship – for students entering their first year of university who demonstrate an involvement in their community. Amount: $1000. Deadline: October 4, 2013.
2. Larry Campbell Milton Memorial Scholarship – for current 4-H members planning to attend a Canadian University in a Food Science, Meat Science or Animal Science discipline. Amount: $2500. Deadline: October 23, 2013.
3. AgriVenture 4-H Adventure Opportunity 2014 Scholarship – for 4-H members from every province that will be traveling with AgriVenture within one year of award. Amount: $3000. Deadline: November 1, 2013.
4. Study and Go Abroad Fair Scholarships – open to students from across Canada in any field of study. Amount: $1000. Deadline: September 28, 2013.
5. Canada’s Luckiest Student 2 – open to Canadian high school students and post-secondary students who are 16+. Amount: $30,000. Deadline: January 23, 2014.
6. The National and Arbor Scholarship Program – by nomination from your secondary school, based on overall grades. Amount: $35,000 – $50,000, based on tuition needs. Deadline: November 8, 2013.
7. Communications Nova Scotia Diversity Bursary – for Nova Scotian students from designated groups (Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities, African Nova Scotians, racially visible people) enrolled in a post-secondary education program. Amount: $1000. Deadline: October 31, 2013.
8. UBC Entrance Award – for students entering their first year of studies at UBC in 2014. Amount: up to $40,000. Deadline: January 31, 2014.
9. Peter Corley Memorial Scholarship – candidates must be a member of SAC, have made at least one solo glider flight in the 12 month period preceding the application, and be attending a university or community college full-time or be accepted and scheduled to attend within six months of the date of the application. Amount: $2300. Deadline: October 1, 2013.
10. Jump Canada Bursary – for students who are active members of the Equine Canada community. Amount: $2000. Deadline: September 30, 2013.