WATERFORD VALLEYSCHOLARSHIP MEETING

October 2015

Purpose of this Session

Provide you with information on scholarships

Help you navigate your scholarship research and complete applications

Check with your school!• Guidance Centre and announcements

• Web: http://wvhscounsellors.weebly.com• Twitter: @WVHSCounsellor

What’s the Difference?• Scholarships 

Traditionally, scholarships are based on academic merit, such as an entrance scholarship which is awarded based on the grade average from high school. Modern usage of the term, however, is much more liberal, with providers of non-academic awards using the term to describe any financial prize that will be used towards tuition payment. Scholarship application procedures are different for each scholarship, but can include a request for your academic transcripts.

• BursariesA bursary is typically an award for a student with financial need. Bursaries may have academic requirements, but are generally focused on helping students who do not have the resources to pay for school on their own. Applications for bursaries typically require you to show why you are in need of the assistance and how great your need is.

• Loans Student loans make up a significant amount of student aid. Student loans are typically provided by government (provincial or federal) or a bank. The terms of a student loan vary depending on who's providing it and who's receiving it. Student loans are typically paid back after the student completes or leaves schooling, with interest charged on the loan amount.

• Other awards This is a catchall for any awards that don't fit in the above categories. This may include contest-style awards or prizes from corporate sponsors.

Why Apply? Some stats:

• The average undergraduate student in Canada graduates with $28,000 worth of debt; Typically less for NL & Lab students

• According to the Canadian Federation of Students, in September 2010 the amount of student loans owed to the Gov of Canada surpassed $15 billion dollars—more than the debt of some provinces. Worse, the $15 billion figure does not include the approx $5–8 billion in provincial student debt or personal debts such as credit cards, lines of credit, and family loans

• According to Stats Canada Youth in Transition Survey, 36% of students who ceased their studies early cited financial reasons

• Students aren’t properly informed: 61% of students would have liked to receive more information about bursary, scholarship, and grant applications

• Millions of dollars of scholarship funds go unclaimed

yconic.com asked 2,500 high school students “How will you pay for school?”

• 53% … Get a job• 53% … Personal savings• 37% … RESP’s• 56% … Loans or Grants• 59% … My parents will help• 76% … Scholarships & Bursaries• 48% said they couldn’t go to school

without financial aid

YES• Money – specifically, money that you

don’t have to pay back.• Resume Builder – what better way is

there to impress your future employer? Awards look great on medical/law school applications as well.

• Compound Interest – once you win one award, it acts as a stepping stone for winning others.

• Personal Satisfaction a.k.a. The Glory – it’s nice to get a little recognition for all your hard work.

Is it worth the effort? Why should I apply for Scholarships?

Categories of Scholarships

• School based• Government of NL & Lab• Post-Secondary Entrance Scholarships• Private Scholarships issued by individuals,

groups, associations, organizations, businesses, or places of employment.

Types of Scholarships: School-based• Every year, scholarships are awarded by

members of the school community to students at WVHS during the Cap and Gown ceremony

• Awards are based on:• co-curricular involvement• leadership• athletics• academics• a combination of above

Types of Scholarships: School-basedHow to be considered…• FILL OUT THE STUDENT PROFILE SHEET!• Level I & II awards: highest academic

average• Level 3 awards: a committee determines

the recipients based on academic achievement, dedication, leadership experience, volunteerism, athletics and fine art talents

Types of Scholarships: Provincial Scholarships• Automatic scholarships offered by the

Dept. of Education – 4 main types• http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/highschool/scho

larships.html• 200+ NL & Lab high school graduates are

awarded scholarships each year based on their public exam marks (scholarship score)

Provincial Scholarships, continued

• Junior Jubilee Scholarship- $2500. Awarded annually to the graduate who achieves the highest Dept of Ed scholarship score

• Electoral District Scholarships – Valued at $1,000 each, these are awarded annually to three high school graduates in each electoral district who achieve the highest Dept of Ed scholarship score

Provincial Scholarships, continued

• Centenary Of Responsible Government Scholarship – 55 scholarships,$1000 each, awarded to high school graduates based on Dept of Ed scholarship score – provided they have not already been awarded another gov’t scholarship

Provincial Scholarships, continued

• Constable W.C. Moss Scholarship. Valued at $1,000, it is awarded to a son/daughter of a member of the RNC or RCMP (active, retired or deceased), who achieves the highest Dept of Ed scholarship score.

Types of Scholarships: Corporate/Foundations/Other

• Big dollars!!!• Intensive commitment on behalf of student

and parent required for completing applications

• Often look for combination of academic achievement, leadership, community service, etc.

• Examples –Terry Fox Humanitarian Award, The Loran Award, The TD Award, The Garfield Weston Award

Types of Scholarships: University/College Entrance

• Most post-secondary institutions offer scholarships to high school students

• Based primarily on grades• Require either a direct application OR you

are automatically eligible by applying to the institution

• Check out what’s available at the school to which your son/daughter is applying

MUN Entrance Awards

• 90%min Admission Average after midterms to qualify for entrance scholarship

• School submits recommendation form to MUN after midterms for students with 90% & higher average who have applied to MUN by the March 1 admission deadline.

MUN Entrance Scholarshipscontinued

• Only students with a 90% or higher average in MUN admission courses after midterm exams will be recommended for MUN Early Entrance scholarships.

• All recommended NL & Lab graduates will be considered beginning with the highest averages until the fund is depleted. A minimum 90% average after June exams is required to keep this offer.

MUN Entrance Scholarshipscontinued.

• Entrance scholarships are valued at either $2,550 or $1,275. These values are equivalent to tuition fees for two semesters (10 courses/30 credit hours of full-time study) and one semester (5 courses/15 credit hours of full-time study) respectively.

• These will be offered at a ratio of approximately two $2,550 entrance scholarships for each $1,275 scholarship offered.

MUN – other scholarships

• Dr. Leslie Harris, Warren & Catherine Ball & Alumni scholarships require separate applications – (average, contribution, leadership)

MUN scholarship links

• http://www.mun.ca/scholarships/home/index.php

• http://www.mun.ca/regoff/calendar/sectionNo=SCHO-0005

• ** There are many that are not sent to schools

to advertise….conduct your own

research! Check with parents, family members, local

newspapers, and online!

Scholarship Info Helpful Websites

• http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/highschool/scholarships.html

• www.yconic.com great site, free registration, matching service, regular emails/updates

• www.studentscholarships.org free registration, matching service

• www.scholarshipscanada.com database for scholarships in Canada

Scholarship Info Helpful Websites• www.canlearn.ca• http://www.equals6.com• http://www.disabilityawards.ca• www.fundyourfuture.ca great financial

planning tools here

Scholarship Info Helpful Websites

School, Province, Colleges, Universities

Google!!!!

Scholarship Info: some examples• Harrison-McCain Scholarship/Bursaries - By

nomination only. Prospective applicants must make an appointment with the guidance counsellor asap

• Joyce Foundation Bursary for CONA and MUN

• Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program • Terry Fox Humanitarian Award • Burger King Scholars • Foodservice & Hospitality Scholarships

Other Opportunities• Rant Like Rick• MUN Arts Faculty Essay Contest • Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific• House of Commons Page Program• Shad Valley• Encounters with Canada• L.E.A.P. Program• MedQuest• WISE (Women in Science & Engineering

summer program)

Example of Essays for $$

• RBC Black History Month Student Essay Competition Deadline: December 4, 2015

• Give your someday a head start! Enter the RBC Black History Month Student Essay Competition.

• Applying to college or university? Here's a great way to help that someday happen. Just tell us your story of how black Canadians have helped define Canada's diverse heritage and identity.

• You could be awarded one of 25 scholarships, including three Grand Prizes: First price: $5,000, Second Prize: $2,500, Third Prize: $1,500

• Submit your essay of 750 words or less by Friday, December 4, 2015 - and your someday could happen.

• For full details, competition rules and regulations, and the downloadable Parent/Guardian Waiver Form, visit www.rbc.com/essay

Myth: Scholarships are just for “brainiacs”

Real students do win real moneyThere are thousands of scholarships and awards that

reward students for non-academic attributes:• Being creative• Volunteering • Playing hockey, basketball, soccer, etc• Where you live• Your heritage or what languages you speak• Entering a contest, responding to a survey, writing an essay

Apply, Enter, Respond! If you never participate, you can’t win.

Questions?