Tag: Scholarships

  • Athletic Scholarships and You

    Athletic Scholarships and You

    The road to college for ordinary senior high school students commonly includes the dreams of big scholarships to top universities. This is particularly true in the opening years of senior high school, just before the reality of grades and athletic competition emerges as a reality. The unfortunate fact is that typical athletic scholarships are a lot more challenging to earn than ever before. Particularly to ones top choice school with some of the most popular athletic teams.

    This doesn’t suggest that a young competitor has to shelve the hope of obtaining a scholarship, but it most certainly means that they should expand the range of appropriate universities and have some tuition back-up plans just in case they only obtain partial help. It’s equally crucial to recognize that several of the sports are much more competitive than others. Scholarship choices are still created by individuals and in that case marketing and salesmanship is still essential at the same time. Unless the youthful competitor is an absolute rising superstar, they will need to relate a compelling tale about their abilities and make an aggressive case for the style of scholarship they prefer. Here’s an excellent rule to follow – if your young athlete is presently being sought by scouts from multiple colleges and universities, you have very little to fret about. In all other instances you will have to advertise and present a convincing account about your rising star.

    Step one is acquiring information and carrying out research on the programs you’re interested in. Each and every university will have varied scholastic requirements. No amount of athletic skill will completely rise above a failing academic record. You really should become familiar with the coaching staff at each university or college and start reaching out to these people with e-mails and letters. You want them to become accustomed to your youngster’s name and maturing skill. You will need to create highlight reels and profile pages using an on-line company.

    The process of getting sports scholarships is no longer only about be the superstar high school athlete. There are many alternate techniques and success in applying for scholarships now includes a component that is almost like image management. Undoubtedly some athletic capability will be called for, but know-how of exactly what is available and the ability to promote yourself is essentially just as essential.

    If one understands that it might be necessary to put together a portfolio of scholarships and accolades to offset university fees, then the field of possibility instantly broadens. There are a host of smaller awards based upon athletic and scholarly requirements. As a matter of fact, some might not even require that the student play the sport on the official university team, which would really surprise most inbound freshman.

    Finally, historically underprivileged minorities or females might also have resources obtainable in exclusive scholarship categories. Again this falls in the category of blending a selection of awards to balance out as much tuition as feasible. However, one thing is apparent across the board – that each student will have to present themselves in the best possible light. The presentation, marketing and telling of an interesting story about your youthful student is almost of equivalent significance to the actual performance during the course of high school.

  • November Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    November Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    Welcome to our listing of ten new scholarships for November! Be sure to check out the information for each one to see if you are eligible to apply. 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. Terry Fox Humanitarian Award – National scholarship program. Amount: Up to $7,000 per year for a maximum of 4 years. Application deadline: February 1, 2013.

    2. University of Toronto National Scholarship Program – National scholarship program. Amount: $35,000 – $50,000 plus incidental fees for 4 years. Application deadline: November 9, 2012.

    3. The Leonard Foundation Financial Assistance Program – National scholarship program. Amount: $1,000. Application deadline: March 15, 2013. NOTE: Your application must be submitted on your behalf by a nominator. See website for details.

    4. D&R Sobey Atlantic Scholarship – Regional scholarship program – must be a student from Atlantic Canada enrolled in the Queen’s University Commerce program. Amount: $68,000. Application deadline: December 1, 2012.

    5. Toyota Earth Day Scholarship – National scholarship program for students who demonstrate leadership in environmental issues. Amount: $5,000. Application deadline: February 15, 2013.

    6. Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarship – Regional scholarship program for students from rural communities. Amount: $1,500. Application Deadline: May 25, 2013.

    7. Assumption Foundation Scholarship – National scholarship program for students enrolled full-time in a post-secondary institution and who have an average of 70% or above. Amount: $1,500. Application Deadline: April 30, 2013.

    8. Burger King Scholars Program – National scholarship program for students graduating from Grade 12 this year. Amount: Between $1,000 and $50,000, depending on the scholarship stream applied for. Application deadline: January 10, 2013. NOTE: Applications can only be submitted online. The online form does not become active until November 15, 2012.

    9. MADD Youth Services Bursary – National scholarship program for students who have lost an immediate family member to an impaired driver. Amount: $2,000. Application deadline: May 31, 2013.

    10. Schulich Leaders – National scholarship program for students who have been nominated and accepted as the Schulich Leader for their school. NOTE: You must first be nominated as a Schulich Leader via their website no later than February 5, 2013. Once accepted, the scholarship application for all Schulich Leaders commences. Amount: $60,000. Scholarship application deadline: March 31, 2013.

  • You’re Not Alone On A Budget

    You’re Not Alone On A Budget

    As young people, we are often faced with circumstances of lower than desirable monetary funds. This is something that affects almost all of us, and is a great reason to get a part-time job. Having money available to spend on the things that you want and need will facilitate your everyday life, especially once you start college. However, quite often we might have to put in time at a workplace where we are counting down the hours and can’t wait to get home and take off our uniform. The important thing to remember is that whenever you feel forced to work in unfavorable conditions, you are not alone! People often say that the only thing that gets them through a work shift is the people that they work with (along with the paycheque, of course!)

    Once the paycheque comes, you may have a list of more than 50 items that you would love to purchase. The reality is that you may not be able to afford all of these things. This is frustrating, but it helps to remember that other people are going through the same thing. When we look at television shows like Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars, we may feel that we fall short and we wish we could have what they have. These shows, we must remember, are meant for entertainment purposes and they do not reflect a reality for most young people in Canada. Comparing yourself to people on television never produces positive results, and you end up feeling depressed and discouraged.

    When you are feeling down, remember that your financial situation is temporary and will not last. If you plan well, you should be able to land yourself a good job after school. You can also help to reduce your financial burden by applying for as many scholarships as possible. Learning to manage your money is one of the most important things you can do as a young person. If you know how much money you make and how much money you spend, you can figure out the best way to go about spending and saving it. Talking with your parents, friends and people at your banking institution will help you to inform yourself and make smart choices.

    What are you waiting for? Start informing yourself today!

  • Boosting Confidence with Scholarships

    Boosting Confidence with Scholarships

    If you are a student and facing financial problems to back your education, scholarships are your best option. There are numerous scholarships for students at university and college levels which go unclaimed every year. Many students are not even aware of them and they eventually end up losing a good opportunity to fund their college fees. With the growing fee structure of almost all professional courses, not all students can afford to fund their education. Many bright and intelligent students are not able to continue studies or pursue their dream courses due to lack of money.

    There are many renowned organizations who sponsor good and bright students for higher studies. Lack of information and awareness is the reason that several scholarships go unclaimed every year. Today, social media and different educational forums are playing an excellent role in providing all the necessary information to students to find these scholarships. Getting scholarships for students can be critical for their future as it will not only save money from their parents’ pocket, but also prevent them from taking student loans. This can save students from paying down debt for a large portion of their lives.

    The basic types of scholarships available for claiming vary, such as merit scholarships which are given to people who excel in their academic scores. These are highly competitive and come in various types. Another important type is athletic scholarships, which are given to students performing well in sports. It is designed to motivate and support young talents in different sport categories. With the help of these funds, many athletes complete their education free of charge. Another type is school-based scholarships, which are given out by the individual university or college a student attends. They are given to overall academically performing well students in specific streams, or to those who demonstrate a financial need.

    There are several websites and books designed to provide useful information on scholarship for students. Students and parents need to keep checking and searching the web as they can surely find at least one or two scholarships that will match their interests and qualifications. All they need is patience and time to find the right kind of opportunity to get the important funds flowing in their favour!

  • Making A Great Impression: 10 Tips For Job and Scholarship Applications

    Making A Great Impression: 10 Tips For Job and Scholarship Applications

    Are you applying for a job or scholarship? The following list of pitfalls to avoid apply to ALL aspects of the process: resumes, cover letters, essays, and even your interview and thank you note. Here are 10 tips to help you distinguish yourself from the competition!

    1. Not answering the question – If an employer or committee asks a question, be sure to answer it! They ask questions in part to hear your answers and in part to make sure you can follow instructions and stay focused. The perfect essay or interview response answers the question and shows off your key strengths and accomplishments.

    2. Exceeding the word or page limit – Your application can get thrown out if you do not comply with the word and page limits. Do not take that chance! There is no point in writing a brilliant essay if it never gets read. Would you rather write 511 words that never get read or 500 words that do? If you are having trouble staying within the word and page limits provided, work with an expert to help you concisely say everything you want to say.

    3. Pointing out why you do not qualify – Why would you highlight the reasons an employer would not want to hire you, or the reasons why someone else might be a better recipient of that scholarship? Many applicants make that very mistake. You can be sure that the people reading your application or sitting across from you in an interview already know what’s missing from your application – they have seen your resume. If they are talking to you, it means they are willing to overlook some of your weak points. Showcase your strengths so that the committee trusts you to do the job even if you don’t meet every qualification on paper.

    4. Bragging – While you do not want to speak negatively about yourself, you also do not want to brag. A caveat: Many people think they are bragging and they are not – they are just stating their accomplishments. However, sometimes an essay or interview response can sound too self-congratulatory, even to someone wanting to hear about your best. The best policy is to provide facts that demonstrate something extraordinary about your accomplishments.

    5. Making grammatical and spelling errors – Employers and committees want candidates to demonstrate attention to detail and the ability to communicate effectively. Grammatical and spelling errors demonstrate the lack of these abilities. Slow down in an interview so that you sound professional. Never submit a resume, essay or application without having an someone else review it!

    6. Lack of clear organization or focus – If your writing or speaking lacks organization or focus, you are almost sure to lose your audience’s attention. In a good essay, the writer is clear about the purpose of every word and every sentence. Stay focused as to what you are writing, where you are going, and why you’re saying what you’re saying. Sometimes focus is difficult to maintain on your own; after all, you understand yourself perfectly and have infinite patience for yourself! It takes trained eyes and ears to evaluate whether you’re really getting your point across.

    7. Speaking in generalities – Here’s an example of a sentence that is too general to have its intended effect: “I am a hard working, determined individual driven by success and the love for acquiring knowledge.” Without examples of this hard work, determination and love of knowledge, this sentence doesn’t say much of anything. The applicant would be better served by giving a concrete example of even one of these attributes. By describing a challenge she faced and how she handled it, she will keep the audience’s attention and make the impression she wants.

    8. Complaining or speaking negatively about past experiences – If you say anything negative about a prior position, your reader or interviewer will expect you to be complaining about your new position in short order. There are ways to give even the most negative experiences a positive spin.

    9. Using formal or stilted language in written materials – You are writing to human beings. Write to them in conversational English. Although you do not want to get too casual with your language, you also do not want to sound awkward or pretentious. We recommend reading your writing aloud before pushing the send button. You might realize things about your language – and your punctuation – that you would never have noticed by reading silently!

    10. Including extra information or attachments – Unless expressly invited to do so on an application, do not attach outside information, attachments, videos, links to websites, PDFs, etc. as supplementary materials. If you are unsure about the guidelines, there is no shame in calling the company to ask. It’s better to be safe and to follow instructions exactly.

  • October Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    October Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    Welcome to our listing of ten new scholarships for October! Be sure to check out the information for each one to see if you are eligible to apply. We are also featuring some grants from the Government of Canada. Grants function similar to scholarships – unlike student loans, you do not have to pay them back! You work hard for your grades – now go out and get that free money!

    1. TD Scholarships for Community Leadership – national scholarship program for students who have demonstrated outstanding community leadership. $70,000. Application deadline: December 7, 2012

    2. Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Endowment Fund for Study in a Second Official Language Award – national scholarship program for students enrolled in the second or third year of their first bachelor degree program during the 2012-2013 academic year. $7,000. Application deadline: December 14, 2012.

    3. The Arthur Paulin Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Award – national scholarship program for students enrolled in an automotive aftermarket industry related program or curriculum at a Canadian college or university. $700.00. Application deadline: October 31, 2012

    4. Mensa Canada Scholarship Programme – national scholarship program. $1,000.00. Application deadline: January 31, 2013.

    5. Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships and NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships – national scholarship program for students who hold, or expect to hold (at the time you take up the award), a degree in science or engineering from a university whose standing is recognized by NSERC. Amount: $17,500.00. Application deadline: October 15, 2012.

    6. Desjardins Scholarship Contest – open to Ontario and Quebec students. Amount: $5,000.00. Application deadline: November 14, 2012.

    7. CIBC 4-H Post-Secondary Education Scholarship – national scholarship program for 4-H members who are in their last year of high school or CEGEP. Amount: $2,500.00. Application deadline: November 4, 2012.

    8. The National and Arbor Scholarship Program – national scholarship program for students who demonstrate superior academic performance, original and creative thought, and exceptional achievement in a broad context. Amount: $5,000.00 for the first year, $1,500.00 for subsequent years. Application deadline: November 9, 2012

    9. Government of Canada Grant for Students from Low-Income Families – national grant program for students who have applied and qualified for a Government of Canada student loan. Amount: Up to $3,000.00 per academic year. Application deadline: Follows student loan application deadlines for each semester of study.

    10. Government of Canada Grant for Students from Middle-Income Families – national grant program for students who have applied and qualified for a Government of Canada student loan. Amount: Up to $1,200.00 per academic year. Application deadline: Follows student loan application deadlines for each semester of study.

  • The Scholarship Application Process

    The Scholarship Application Process

    If you have decided that you would like to apply for a scholarship then you will need to start by finding one. You will also need to apply early because you do not want to be rushed and pressured to get your application in on time. If you have really good grades and you have been able to maintain them for most of your academic career, look for academic scholarships. If you are really good in sports, then this is where you may want to focus your attention and you will want to conduct a search for these types of scholarships. Just take your time. You will find a large list of different scholarships online, at your local library or even from your school counselor.

    Take some time and really think about your positive qualities. What are you good at? What do people like about you? Do you have any experience or hobbies that make you special or help you stand out from others? What makes you the best person for the scholarship that you are looking at? If you are able to write these things down, you will be more prepared for the entire process when you are ready to start applying and completing applications. It is always best to brainstorm because you will not feel stuck the further along you get.

    Once you have your list of available scholarships you will need to get ready to apply. You should never start this process without taking your time and reading through all of the qualifications and directions very carefully. You may also find a large amount of small print on the pages and you must be sure that you are reading that as well.

    Something that you should look for when it comes to reading the application is to search for anything that says if you will be given special consideration for any work that you have completed in the past. For example, if you volunteered you may be able to write an essay about that and it can greatly improve your chances of getting the scholarship over those individuals that did not volunteer.

    Many of the scholarships that you find are going to require you to apply in the form of an essay. Always have someone read through what you have prepared to ensure that the questions were answered completely and that your spelling and grammar is correct. You will make a very poor impression if you do not do this and your essays are incomplete.

    As you can see, it can be very easy to apply for scholarships as long as you are taking your time. You may be a little bit concerned about this in the beginning but the more scholarships that you apply for the more you will be learning. It becomes easier the more that you do it and you will find that you will be more relaxed as time goes by.

    You never want to let your nerves get the better of you and you shouldn’t give up just because you are unsure about something. What you need to remember is that in many cases you may never meet the individuals that are giving you the scholarship. So, you should just try to relax and put in your best effort. If you do not succeed then no one needs to know. You can just apply for the next one and try even harder. Always try to find out why you did not get the scholarship because this can really help you determine what you may be able to do differently on the next one that you apply for. You can learn from your mistakes and that can really help you in the future if you are willing to turn a negative into a positive when it comes to your college career and your life goals.

  • How To Get Scholarship Help

    How To Get Scholarship Help

    Contributed by Sachin Kumar Airan from amazines.com

    When it comes to college scholarships, the more that you can accumulate the better off you will be. You cannot always rely on college financial aid to be enough to get you through college. After all, financial aid is based on your parents’ salary and their assets, not your own. Therefore, if your parents are not willing or able to help as much as their financial aid sheet says they can, then you may have problems and be in need of college admissions assistance to find a way to afford your tuition. The good news is there are several ways that you can seek out college scholarship help.

    Utilize a college financial aid calculator
    The first thing you are going to want to do is head online and look for a college financial aid calculator. Although the tuition charged may change from school to school, you will have a rough idea of where you stand on what you will owe if you use a certified calculator. This gives you an estimate of how much you will be left owing after student loans so that you can figure out the amount of scholarships you will need to cover tuition. Keep in mind that scholarships can be applied before financial aid if they are sent directly to the school, so this is another factor to remember while shopping for useful scholarships.

    Check out your high school guidance office
    The second thing you need to do is make an appointment with your high school guidance office so that you can sit down with your counselor and go over your scholarship options. They are the best window into your local scholarship opportunities.They will know what you are eligible for and, since they have spent years helping other students, they know what you are likely to get. This will help save you a lot of wasted time.

    Seek out college admissions assistance
    Another great office to schedule an appointment with is the college admissions assistance office. Their assistance is also invaluable because they have experience helping freshmen every year. They can help guide you through the scholarships available in your college town so you can afford your education. They can also help you see if you qualify for anything directly from the school, because many times schools offer grants and these can be helpful to put towards your tuition.

    Online scholarship help
    Finally, the last thing you might want to think about doing is heading online to look for scholarships. There are actually many websites designed to offer college scholarship help to college freshmen. Online searches can reap a lot of rewards because you can apply for dozens of scholarships with just one click of a button, making it a very time efficient way to apply for help.

  • September Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    September Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    Each month, we will feature 10 new scholarships from studentawards.com.

    Click on the links for application information.

    Not all scholarships have prerequisites, so be sure to check them ALL out!

    Go out and get that free money!

    1.

    Canadian Marketing Association Student Awards
    Deadline:  October 11, 2012
    One award of $500 and one year CMA membership
    http://www.the-cma.org/education-events/awards/student

    2.

    CUTA Youth Scholarship Program
    Deadline:   September 14, 2012
    5 scholarships worth $2,000 each
    http://www.studentawards.com/My-Dashboard/Award-Details.aspx?id=9557

    3.

    Gene Luczkiw Spirit of Enterprise Award
    Deadline:   October 31, 2012
    $1,000 award
    http://niagaraentrepreneur.com/awards-nominations/endowment-fund/

    4.

    Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth (FAAY) Program
    Deadline:   September 30, 2012
    Awards worth between $750 – $2,500
    http://www.studentawards.com/My-Dashboard/Award-Details.aspx?id=628

    5.

    Loran Award
    Deadline:   October 24, 2012
    Awards range from $2,000 – $3,000
    http://www.studentawards.com/My-Dashboard/Award-Details.aspx?id=126

    6.

    Power of Wind Blog Contest
    Deadline: September 15, 2012
    1st place at $2,000; 2nd place at $500; 3rd place at $250
    http://friendsofwind.ca/2012-power-of-wind-blog-contest/

    7.

    Taking Flight Award
    Deadline: October 15, 2012
    4 awards worth $1,000 each
    http://cmmf72.org/en/taking-flight-scholarships

     8.

    New Brunswick Institute of Agrologists Scholarship
    Deadline: October 1, 2012
    Scholarship worth $1,000
    http://www.ianbia.com/forms-formulaires/

     9.

    Gene Luczkiw Spirit of Enterprise Award
    Deadline: October 31, 2012
    $1,000 award
    http://niagaraentrepreneur.com/awards-nominations/endowment-fund/

    10.

    Geritol Follies Scholarship Fund
    Deadline: October 1, 2012
    Scholarship amount varies
    http://www.hcf.on.ca/donors_stories_geritolfollies.shtml

  • Tips for Scholarship Applications

    Tips for Scholarship Applications

    The following tips, originally posted at the Studentawards Forum, were contributed by a student in our membership.

    1) Don’t stretch things too far – honour roll is good and all, but chances are everyone in your program was on honour roll too. It doesn’t make you a God. If you volunteered and ran a fundraiser benefiting impoverished children in Africa, and raised $5000, end it there. You didn’t solve world hunger. It’s great what you did, but you’re no Mother Theresa.

    2) Tangible results – this applies to work experience, volunteerism and extra curriculars more. It’s cool that you worked at McDonald’s and were “a dedicated, reliable employee” and provided “excellent customer satisfaction”, but it is better to say “improved efficiency of drive-thru by 22%” (note this is a crappy example and might not work totally well with McDonald’s)

    3) Relate – what are you applying for? Try and relate your accomplishment to what you are applying for. This isn’t always possible (e.g. if you just have to list your awards) but if there is a spot to explain or if it is an interview, then do it. If you are applying for a job as a landscaper, and you are a top-ranked triathlete, you could say that you have great endurance, are able to work well in heat, are physically fit, and work very hard. But if you merely say you are a triathlete … the interviewer is going to have to make those connections on their own. You don’t want to rely on them doing so.

    4) Size of competition – this lends to the general importance of the accomplishment. This could work for you and against you, so be careful when you include it. If you are the top scorer on the Euclid Contest, you might want to say that you were first of however many thousand competitors. But if you just won an award for having the highest mark in some class, let’s say Business Leadership, and there [were] only 16 people in your class, it might be better to leave that out (unless they ask for it, then be honest)

    5) Be Honest – don’t lie about things. There could be severe consequences if you lie about your ECs (stories of people getting kicked out of university, for example). Going along with # 1 as well, don’t say you were the top in your school if you were recognized as being top 5% or something. Unless you were actually awarded it, don’t claim it.

    Posted by: g93