GRADE 12 SCHOLARSHIP INFO SESSION

GRADE 12 SCHOLARSHIP INFO SESSION Presented by Mr. Chan

OVERVIEW OF PRESENTATION • Types of Financial Aid Available • General Timelines • Getting Ready to Apply • Application Procedures • Post-Secondary Info Sessions • Question Period

TYPES AVAILABLE • Ministry Sponsored • Post-Secondary Institutions • Entrance scholarships & bursaries • Private Organizations • School Sponsored

1. MINISTRY SPONSORED • $1,000 Graduation Program Examination Scholarships (based upon academic excellence in grade 12 provincial examinations) • Canadian citizen or landed immigrant • Achieve a minimum of ‘B’ in English 12 • Write a minimum of 3 provincial exams and achieve a minimum of 86% on each • AP exam results CAN be used (if 4 or 5) • Top 20 students in the province will receive $2,500 each • You DO NOT need to apply – if you qualify, you’ll get a letter from ministry next November

1. MINISTRY SPONSORED • $1,000 Dogwood District / Authority Awards ($500 cheque + $500 voucher - awarded based upon excellence in ‘non-academic’ field) • Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. • Must demonstrate superior achievement (minimum 70%) in any of the following areas: • Fine Arts (Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Music) • Applied Skills (Business Ed., Tech Ed., Home Ec) • Physical Activity (not limited to Phys. Ed) • Second Languages • Must have FIVE grade 11 or 12 courses in your specific area (may include Work Experience if it is in related) • Most recipients attend non-university post-secondary institutions (eg., Douglas College, BCIT, Emily Carr) • Application via a District Committee will be necessary to receive these awards (LOOK FOR APPLICATION AROUND THE END OF MAY 2011)

1. MINISTRY SPONSORED • Passport to Education Program • Grade 10 – possible $250 • Grade 11 – possible $250 • Grade 12 – possible $500 • Must to Canadian citizen or landed immigrant • Based upon same criteria used to determine Grade 10 and 11 recipients

2. POST SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS Entrance Scholarships • Value and criteria vary • Many entrance scholarships are based on marks only and you are automatically considered • MAJORawards require applications ‘other’ involvements • See web site of each university for details • Entrance Bursaries • Must demonstrate the need for financial assistance above and beyond ‘the ordinary’

3. PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS • Many stress COMMUNITY involvement (ie ‘TD Canada Trust’) or potential to become one of their employees in the future (ie ‘BC Hydro’) • Others stress an interest/aptitude in a specific area (ie ‘Louella Downing’ for visual & performing arts, ‘McDonald’s MVP Sports’ for athletics, ‘BC Health Care’ for health services) • As these applications become available, they will be advertised in the FINANCIAL AID BULLETINS

4. SCHOOL SPONSORED • Awards that have been donated to the school for a variety of reasons • Many are specific to departments • Several are as a result of donations by school staff and recipients are selected as a result of their school involvement • Parent Advisory – “We Believe in You” Award2 @ $1,000 each - need only C+ average to apply. They are looking for students who may not receive other award offers but who display a determination and passion to continue their education in pursuit of their career goal.

$$ HELPFUL WEBSITES $$ • www.studentawards.com • www.scholarshipscanada.com • www.bcawardsonline.org • www.bced.gov.bc.ca/awards • www.canlearn.ca • http://north.sd41.bc.ca (our school website)

GENERAL TIMELINES • MOST SCHOLARSHIPS ARE POSTED AFTER WINTER BREAK • The bulk will be due from February to May • Important that you are on top of your resume • Important that you have letters of reference to support your application(s) - CRUCIAL TO VERIFY SERVICE ACTIVITIES • Important that you PAY ATTENTION TO DEADLINES – NO LATES ACCEPTED!

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING October to December • Make sure you can graduate • Check with parents’ workplace for scholarships and bursaries • Complete your STUDENT PROFILE SHEET • Update your RESUME • Read FINANCIAL AID BULLETINS • Consider which teachers to ask for a Teacher Report and / or a reference letter

Student Profile Sheet • Must have ONE copy on file if you want to be considered for all scholarships applied through the school • Can be picked up in Student Services • May attach a resume as well • Can be updated throughout the year

Teacher Reports • Must have at least 3 of these on file when applying for internal scholarships (can have more) • They can be picked up in Student Services • Do not have to be from current teachers (can be your coach / club sponsor as well) • These are confidential and you will not get to see them - they are used by the Scholarship committee ONLY - NOT sent out of the school

Reference Letters • Consider carefully which teachers (and community personnel) from whom you may need a reference letter • The person you ask should know you quite well so that they can write a meaningful reference letter . . . their ‘status’ is not as important as their ability to convey your strengths from knowing you (there is a request form you may use in Student Services) • You MUST supply them with a copy of your resume • You MUST give them at least 2 weeks to write the letter • If you would like their letter for multiple applications, request that they print several copies for you at the same time

Many teachers request that the letter remains confidential in which case it will be returned in a sealed envelope • Please DO NOT request a letter unless you intend to use it – it is just RUDE to be “shopping” for reference letters • If you require a ‘Principal’s report’ or you would like a reference letter from Ms. Archer, you must submit info to MR. CHAN and your folder will be forwarded to Mr. Archer – you will need to allow at least ONE MONTH • Thank the person afterwards (eg., thank you card) – remember they are doing this at their OWN time (teachers are NOT obligated to write these letters!) • Respect teachers’ decision if they choose NOT to write you a letter – they must have a reason - do not harass them!

January and February • Watch for announcements for SFU and UBC - be sure to respond ON TIME. • Be aware that you must apply NOW for some scholarships even though it seems early • Update your STUDENT PROFILE . . . If needed

March and April • Check the Financial Aid section in post-secondary institution calendars or online • This is a CRUCIAL time period as many applications are posted and due in this period • Ask for reference letters as needed but make sure youallow a MINIMUM of 2 weeks

May and June – Time to Graduate! • Due dates for many local scholarships fall in this time period • Your Student Profile MUST be on file to be considered for any of these awards • If you do WIN a scholarship . . . BE SURE TO SEND A THANK YOU!!! • You will be asked to inform Mr. Chan of any scholarships that you have been offered so that your accomplishments can be announced at GRAD CEREMONY!

Financial Aid Bulletins There will be updated throughout the year and will be posted in all English 12 & Communications 12 classrooms as well as outside Student Services, in the Library and on the school website

HOW DO I APPLY? • External Applications • To be submitted online or directly mailed to the organization • Watch out for DUE DATES carefully (eg., postmarked requirements) • You are responsible for making sure the complete application arrives on time

HOW DO I APPLY? • Internal Applications • Submitted through the school • Require 3 teacher reports and your Student Profile • Must be submitted to Student Services by the due date (NO EXCEPTIONS)

POST-SECONDARY INFO SESSIONS • Pay attention to Student Bulletins and PA Announcements. These sessions may take place: • At Burnaby North – during the day, lunch, after school, or evening • On campus of the institution (eg., BCIT) • At a local hotel or other location – mostly for institutions from out of town

NEED TO SEE MR. CHAN? • Responsible for: AP, Honours, Awards & Scholarships (please see your counsellor for general post-secondary questions) • Best to make an appointment (sign-up slip outside Student Services) • Available in Student Services during the PM blocks (C D G H) everyday, and most days after school • E-mail: excel.north@sd41.bc.ca

KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER . . . • Read Financial Aid Bulletins • Submit Student Profile and 3 Teacher Reports to Student Services • At least 2 weeks notice for reference letter requests (and choose carefully!) • Apply early – do NOT wait until the last minute • What makes you stand out from others?

GRADE 12 SCHOLARSHIP INFO SESSION