WGSS Scholarship Workshop –National and Nomination Awards

September 20, 2018

Topics we’ll discuss

• Where to begin

• What’s available

• How to get started

• Other learning opportunities

• Questions

WGSS Scholarship Info

Scholarship Presentations

Searchable Databases

Where to begin?

SD 35 Scholarship Website

www.sd35.bc.ca/students-parents/scholarship-information/things-to-do/

Database

Helpful resources and examples

• Handbook:

• Sources of Financial Assistance

• Steps to Scholarship Process

• Appendix:

• On-Line Scholarship Resources

• Open (District) Awards

• Comprehensive Resume Samples

• Scholarship Checklist

Scholarship

Handbook

Comprehensive

Resume

Scholarship

Essay

Scholarship

Spreadsheet

What’s available?Scholarships

Bursaries

Awards

Student Loans

4 Main Types of Scholarships

1. Provincial Government Scholarships

BC Excellence Scholarship – Nomination

Pathways to Education - Application

2. Langley School Foundation Scholarships

Open (all students) and WGSS Awards

4 Main Types of Scholarships - continued

3. Entrance Scholarships

Automatic and Application

4. Other Scholarship Sources

Affiliation, Parent Employment, Sports, Health, etc.

National/Nomination ScholarshipsAward Deadline Additional Info.

Loran Scholars Oct. 9 (for nomination consideration) Leadership, Character, Service

U of Toronto – Book Award

Oct. 10 (for nomination consideration) Superior Academic Performance, Original and Creative Thought, Exceptional Achievement

Horatio Alger Oct. 25 (no nomination required) Financial Need, Perseverance in Overcoming Adversity, Integrity

Scotiabank Scholarship Nov. 2 (no nomination required) Creativity, Originality (150 word essay)

Queen’s QuARM Program (Med School)

Nov. 13 (for nomination consideration) Superior Academic Ability, Creative and Original Thought, Community Involvement

P.E.O. STAR Scholarship Nov. 15 (lengthy application to complete) Excellence in Leadership, Academics, Extracurricular, Community Service & Future

TD Leadership Nov. 17 (no nomination required) Community Leadership through Initiative andInnovation

UBC Centennial Award Dec. 1 (reference must know financial need) Academically qualified but otherwise could not financially afford to attend UBC

Schulich (STEM) Dec. 4 (for nomination consideration) Science, Technology, Mathematics, Engineering (not medicine)

National/Nomination Scholarships

Award Deadline Additional Information

BC Excellence Scholarship Jan. 10 (for nomination consideration) Leadership in School and Community

Western University Jan. 15 (for nomination consideration) Minimum 90%+ average

Terry Fox Humanitarian Feb. 1 (three online letters of reference) Volunteerism in the Spirit of Terry’s Sacrifice

Future Aces Feb. 2 (no nomination required) National Citizenship Award – Extensive Community Service

Cmolik (BC Scholarship) Feb. 23 (counsellor letter) Financial Need, Tenacity, Overcoming Adversity

RBC Students Leading Change

Feb. 28 (no nomination required) Leadership in Showing Positive Change in Community

Nomination Awards

LORAN

Character, Service, Leadership

University of Toronto

National Book Award

Superior Achievement + Service

Schulich Scholarship

STEM Leadership + Achievement

Loran Scholar Program

• Canada’s most comprehensive competitive merit award

• Looking at: character, leadership and service

• Investing in youth with high potential to impact the future

• 5023 applications -> 500 interviewed -> 34 selected

• Value: up to $100,000 (over 4 years)

• Must be planning to attend one of 25 partner universities

• $10,000 living stipend, tuition waiver, mentorship, and summer program

Loran – Sponsored Applicants

• Walnut Grove may sponsor up to three students• Criteria for consideration:

• Minimum cumulative average of 85% calculated using EN 11 + three other academic courses

• Complete draft application, including essays• Provide copy Comprehensive Resume• Application and documents due to Ms. Kifiak by Oct. 9

Deadlines: Sponsored Applicants: Oct. 17Direct Pool Applicants: Oct. 24

Sayeh Yousefi Loran Scholar - 2016 University of Toronto R.E. Mountain Secondary School Langley, British Columbia

• As president of the Oxfam club, Sayeh organized a campaign to raise awareness of gender inequality in politics.

• She edited her school’s newspaper and started a youth news website.

• Sayeh served on the Langley Youth Advisory Council.

• She organized a Model United Nations simulation at her school and facilitated social justice workshops.

• Sayeh played on the school soccer team and worked part-time as a referee.

Read about past winnersNote how each applicant meets the scholarships criteria:

• Character

• Service

• Leadership

Horatio Alger Scholarship

• Honouring: Perseverance, Integrity and Excellence

• Value: up to $10,000 (need based scholarships)

• Criteria:

• Family income under $65,000 per year

• Must have demonstrated integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity

• Must have a commitment to pursue a post-secondary education and a desire to contribute to society

• Must have a good academic record, co-curricular and community involvement

• Deadline: October 25

U of Toronto National Scholarship Program

Criteria:• Intending to study at University of Toronto in Fall 2019• An original and creative thinker• Superior performance in academic and creative pursuits• Exceptional achievement in broad content• Enthusiastic about learning and intellectual exploration• Strong involvement in the lives of school and community• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person

Value:• 4-year tuition + residency for first year • $7,500 the first year, then $1,500 for next three years

Deadline: November 3

Number of winners: 10 each year

U of T National Book Award

• WGSS may nominate one outstanding student for this Award

• Student does not have to be considering attending U of T

• Let Ms. Kifiak know by October 10 if you would like to be considered for nomination for this award

• Value: Recognition, no monetary value

• Application Deadline: November 3

Scotiabank National Scholarship• Scotiabank + YCONIC

• Looking for: creativity/originality, clarity of thought and communication of content, grammar and spelling, overall content

• Criteria:• Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada

• Must be a high school student planning to enrol full-time in a certificate, diploma or degree program in the 2019 / 2020 academic year at a Canadian college, university or trade school

• Must create an account with YCONIC (scholarship search engine)

• Value: $2,500 (x 12)

• Deadline: November 2 3:00 pm EST

TD Scholarship for Community Leaders

• TD is looking for 20 youth in Canada who have gone above and beyond to improve their community

• Exceptional initiative and involvement

• Valued up to $70,000 (including up to $10,000 x 4 yrs. + living expenses)

• Provides summer mentorship and employment opportunities

• Deadline: November 17 (no application will be accepted after the deadline regardless of the postmark date)

TD Community LeaderPast winner of this award

Schulich Scholarship

Schulich Scholarship• Nominee must possess at least two of three criteria:

• Academic Excellence

• Leadership (community, business or entrepreneurial)

• Financial Need

• Criteria to qualify:• Graduate high school Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

• Enrol at one of their partner universities

• Pursuing studies in Science, Technology, Engineering or Engineering but not Medicine

• Deadline: Nomination documents to Ms. Kifiak by December 4

• Nomination Deadline: January 30

• Application Deadline: February 20

Getting Started….

Your first few applications will take you the longest to complete

Resume - will be used to complete all

application forms

- will be given to all references

Essay - like a job interview

- sell yourself

- explain why you should be chosen

Comprehensive Resumes

Comprehensive summary of all of your accomplishments

Include:

• Your education goal (even though it may change)

• Educational Achievements

• School Involvement (highlight leadership initiatives)

• Community Involvement (authentic involvement reflecting passion)

• Accomplishments (e.g. music, sports, conferences)

• Interests, Travel, Skills

Scholarship Essays

• Answer the question

• Show – don’t tell

• Use uniqueness to engage the reader

• Ensure it is grammatically correct and error free

• Draft, edit, redraft, edit, get feedback, re-edit, publish

Want a teacher to give you feedback?….some things ‘not’ to do

Expecting them do your editing for you

Asking them just before your deadline

Not acknowledging their time and helpfulness

Organize a Binder

- Comprehensive Resume

- Essays

- Application Forms

- Letters of Reference

- Transcripts

- Spreadsheet

Research your Post-Secondary Options

Institutions• Institutions (2-5)

• Programs (1st, 2nd choice)

Admissions• General Entrance requirements?

Specific Program requirements?

Deadlines

• Application deadline?

• Scholarships deadline?

(e.g. UBC Dec. 1st)

Additional Information

• Reference Letters – give teacher, coach, community person 2 or 3 weeks to prepare the letter for you; choose someone who knows you very well and who can give specific examples

• Transcripts – transcripts take 4 days to prepare; see Ms. Kalynn in the Counselling Centre to order copies

• Nomination Process – Grad News will indicate the date and required documents; usually given to Ms. Kifiak (and the WGSS Scholarship Committee) 2-3 weeks before the actual deadline

• Deadlines – prepare your application well before the deadline as sometimes students have missed the deadline due to computer issues or mailing issues

Key points to remember

• There are millions of dollars available in scholarships ready to be given away

• The more you apply, the greater your chances of winning (and the clearer your message in your essays)

• Get involved – what problem are you passionate about solving?

Additional Learning Opportunities

SD 35 Scholarship Workshop - Brittany Palmer

Thursday, October 18, 7:00 pm

WGSS Library – Brown Bag Tickets - $5.00 + tax

District + WGSS Scholarship Workshop

Thursday, November 29, FLEX

Library

UBC Session: Personal Profile Info

Tuesday, October 30

3:10

WGSS Library

Questions?