Tag: Scholarships

  • Graduate Scholarships

    Graduate Scholarships

    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!

  • November Scholarships – Apply Now!

    November Scholarships – Apply Now!

    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.

  • Scholarships and Bursaries for Aboriginal Canadians

    Scholarships and Bursaries for Aboriginal Canadians

    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

  • Tips for Scoring a Scholarship

    Tips for Scoring a Scholarship

    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.

  • October Scholarships – Apply Now!

    October Scholarships – Apply Now!

    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

  • Scholarships for Aboriginal Canadians

    Scholarships for Aboriginal Canadians

    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

  • September Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    September Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    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.

  • Scholarships for Aboriginal Canadians

    Scholarships for Aboriginal Canadians

    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

  • August Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    August Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    Just because it’s August doesn’t mean you should not be applying for scholarships and bursaries. There is always something out there – so go get that free money!

    1. SecureReset Fall 2013 Scholarship – Open to all students. Amount: $300. Deadline: November 1, 2013.

    2. CrossLites Essay Scholarship – Open to all students. Amount: $2000. Deadline: December 15, 2013.

    3. Ipsos i-Say Survey – Open to all students. NOTE: This is a contest. Amount: $5000. Deadline: None listed.

    4. Equals6 Top-Talent Scholarship – July-September 2013 – Open to all students. Amount: $250. Deadline: September 30, 2013.

    5. Bill Kehler Memorial Awards– For students pursuing Broadcasting or Agriculture. Amount: Four awards worth $2500. Deadline: August 30, 2013.

    6. Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms Essay Contest – Open to students commencing studies in September 2013. Amount: 1st Prize $1,000, 2nd prize $500, 3rd prize $250. Deadline: September 1, 2013.

    7. Tronia Systems Scholarship – Open to students enrolled in an Agribusiness program (or related field). Amount: Two worth $1000. Deadline: October 7, 2013.

    8. CBC Literary Prizes – Open to Canadian citizens who submit original, unpublished writing. Amount: $6000, secondary prizes worth $1000. Deadline: Open for submissions on September 1, 2013.

    9. Terry Fox Humanitarian Award – Open to all students across Canada pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Amount: 20 awards worth $7000. Deadline: February 1, 2014.

    10. Jeremy Dias Scholarship – Open to all students. Amount: Varies depending on need. Deadline: August 15, 2013.

  • Grants for Students with Disabilities

    Grants for Students with Disabilities

    Am I eligible?
    You are eligible if you:
    – apply and qualify for a Canada Student Loan;
    – are enrolled in a full-time or part-time program (minimum 32 weeks) at a designated post-secondary institution;
    – meet the criteria for students with permanent disabilities; and
    – include one of the following with your loan application as proof of your disability: a medical certificate, a psycho-educational assessment, or documentation proving receipt of federal or provincial disability assistance.

    What’s available?
    $2,000 per academic year (August 1 to July 31).
    This grant is available for each year of post-secondary studies, provided you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. This includes post-secondary studies beyond the undergraduate level. Grant money is issued by your province or territory of permanent residence at the beginning and in the middle of the school year.

    Since grant amounts are fixed, the amount you receive may exceed your assessed need.
    Example: If you qualify for the grant and you have an assessed need of $1,400, you will receive a $2,000 grant. In this case, the grant would cover your assessed need, so you would not need a student loan.

    How do I apply?
    The application process for this grant differs in each jurisdiction. To make sure you meet all the application requirements, contact your province or territory’s student financial assistance office.