Scholarship applications

1. Grad Seminar Scholarship applications

3. Apply for Post-Secondary • Most university and college websites are open for applications at the beginning of October. Early application deadlines are usually the end of February. • Make sure you have the pre-requisite courses for your desired program.

4. Is there an easier way to apply to multiple BC institutions? www.applybc.ca Most of BC’s universities, colleges and institutions will accept or require application through this internet application-for-admission service. Need to have the following: SIN # PEN# CREDIT CARD # (name of card/full name on card/exp date)

5. Various Ways to Pay for Post-Secondary • Personal Savings -parent/student • Passport to Education • Provincial Exam Scholarships • District/Dogwood Scholarships • Other Scholarships and Bursaries • BC/Canada Student Loan Program • Co-op Programs • Apprenticeship

6. Passport to Education *Phasing out! Gr. 10 $250 end in 2013-14 Gr. 11 $250 end in 2014-15 Gr. 12 $500 end in 2015-16 Total Possible award $1000 • There are limited number of awards given by the Ministry of Education each year (approx. 60 per grade) • Course marks will be the determining factor for recipients • Same process for redeeming $ at post-sec institutions as scholarship

7. What about Exam Scholarships? • Scholarships will now be allocated to students who score well on a combination of their grade 10, 11 and 12 required exams.

8. How do I Redeem my Passport? • Passport stamps are awarded at the end of each school year. • At the end of grade 12, a passport book will be given to the awarded students. • Use the passport at approved BC Institutions to pay directly for tuition. Passports can be used for vaiours programs including trades; programs must be at least 10 hours/week for at least 3 weeks

9. What If I am Attending a Program Outside of BC? • Passport to Education can be used at approved programs outside of BC • Students must pay for the tuition upfront, thens end in the passport, receipt of tuition paid and your SIN number to the Ministry of Education. • A cheque will be issued to the student • ALL PASSPORTS EXPIRE IN 5 YEARS!

10. Provincial Exam Scholarships List of Required Exams: • English 10 • Foundations of Math 10 or Apprenticeship & Workplace Math 10 • Science 10 or Sciences 10 • Social Studies 11, Civics 11, Sciences Humaines 11 or First Nations 12 • English 12 or Communications 12 • 5000 awards of $1000 awarded by the Min of Ed for excellence on provincial exams • Must pass one of the required language classes (Eng 12 or Com 12) with at least a “B” final blended mark • Must achieve 86% or higher on at least1 provincial exam, and at least 3 “B”s on four other provincial exams (10-12 exams) If the student ranks among the top 20 exam scholarship students in the province, students will receive $2500 Students who score 100% on an exam will receive an Academic Medal of Excellence

11. APPRENTICESHIP$1,000 SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA • Been registered in a Secondary School Apprenticeship Program • Graduated with a Gr. 12 Dogwood Diploma or Adult Dogwood • Successfully completed SSA 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B • Maintained a C+ average or better on Gr. 12 courses • Continued work or training full time in the trade 5 months after secondary school graduation (or have 1100 hours reported to Industry Training Authority).

12. District/Dogwood Awards • $1000 awarded to grade 12 students who excel in applied skills, languages, athletics, community leadership or fine arts • Students present skills to a local scholarship committee who determine award winners based on a set criteria • 20+ awards are available to SAS each year Please note: • Students can win both a provincial exam scholarship and a district scholarship • Presentations will meet presentation requirements for Grad Transitions

13. LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS • Community donated money • Criteria varies by donor • School committee assesses applications on community criteria and school ranking • School ranking based on overall % average + academic course load, specific marks in academic courses, overall course load, extra-curricular involvement • Some scholarship donors choose their own winners from those who fit criteria • Applications available online in April

14. University/College Marks Based Entrance Scholarships • Based on % average of courses required for entrance into program of choice • Scholarships awarded automatically based on % average • Minimum average around 85%

15. University Major Entrance Scholarships • Based on overall % average and extra curricular activities • Often require personal essay, and references • Some top awards need nomination from our school • Some entrance scholarships are awarded automatically to students with high academic averages – averages vary with each institution, check websites for details • Remember you must apply to the institution to be considered for the award UBC Major Entrance Scholarships due to UBC December 10th!

16. Awards that Require a Nomination: * Ambassadors’ Entrance Scholarship * Board of Governor’s Scholarship * Community Service Scholarship * Leadership Scholarship * President’s Entrance Scholarship

17. Awards that require a nomination • Okanagan College President’s Entrance Scholarship • Schulich Leader Scholarship • Loran Award • Various Post-Secondary Institutions

18. How do I get Nominated for these awards? • A meeting must be held by the school where students find out how to become nominated. • A committee determines who will be selected • The committee forwards the nomination to the institution providing the award • Typically, the nominee is required to fill out an application, write an essay, provide references

19. Getting Effective References • Choose references that can speak to your best qualities • Give references the contact info for the award • Give references the criteria for the award • Supply references with a Student Activity sheet • Give references ample time to complete • Feel free to ask for specific information in your reference letter

20. Student Activity Sheet • Student Activity Sheets are forms in the Career Centre and online • They outline your activities, work history, and interests • Fill one out, then keep a COPY. • Give to referees

21. Effective References • Show references the link on the SAS Counselling website for tips on how to write a reference letter

22. What About Bursaries? • Bursaries are monetary awards based on financial need • Administered by post secondary institutions- check on-line for applications and details • % Average and extra curricular are still considered • Will be required to submit documentation of family finances • Info and applications are usually found on college/university websites under financial aid/scholarships • Often must qualify for a student loan to be eligible for a post–secondary bursary

23. Where do I find Scholarship/Bursary Info? • Counselling Centre • Files on top of filing cabinet have most recent scholarships received • University websites • Scholarship websites • ∙ check out the links on the SAS website under “Counselling” link

24. Upcoming Scholarships • Throughout the year, some scholarships will be posted on the counselling website and on the TV announcements

25. Favourite Career Centre Websites • www.studentscholarships.org • www.scholarshipscanada.com • www.bcscholarships.ca • www.educationplanner.bc.ca

26. Student Loans • A loan based on financial need • Must begin repayment 6 months after last semester of attendance at post secondary institution • Common form to apply for both federal and provincial loans and millennium bursary • More information and application forms available at: www.bcsap.bc.ca • Website to help with financial planning and student loans: www.canlearn.ca

27. Now Put Your Plans Into Action! • Visit Career Centre regularly throughout the year to check post secondary • Visit post secondary web sites for info on admissions, scholarships, and more • Create a file of all information you find that interests you – particularly deadlines!! • Make an appointment with a counselor if you have more specific questions or concerns