Applying Online to Ontario’s Universities

1. Applying Online to Ontario’s Universities OUAC 101 Online Application for Ontario Secondary School Students www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-101/

2. Step 1: Your OUAC Access Codes Your guidance counsellor will give you aconfidential letter containing your access codes: • PIN (Personal ID#) • School Number • Student Number These numbers will allow you to access your OUAC 101 Online Application. Your PIN is confidential! Don’t share it with anyone else.

3. Step 2: Research Your University Options • Visit eINFO (www.electronicinfo.ca) to see what each university has to offer. Read the eINFObulletin. • Read the OUAC 101Instruction Bookletas well as the 101 Addenda (both available at www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-101/) to get the most up-to-date program information. • Check out university publications, websites and tours. • Talk to counsellors, family, teachers and friends. • Write down your program choices andcodes, and keep them handy. You can use the FastTrackoption to add program choices to your application using the OUAC program code.

4. Step 3: Mark Your Calendar October/November 2012: Schools distribute Access Code Letters for the OUAC 101 Online Application. January 16, 2013: Latest date to submit completed online applications to the OUAC. February 5, 2013: Recommended last day to make changes to your application. May 29, 2013: Date by which the universities must respond to your application for admission. June 3, 2013: Earliest date by which the universities may require a response to offers of admission and a financial commitment.

5. Paying for Your Application You have the following three options: • VISA/MasterCard/American Express:You will need the card number, expiry date and the cardholder’s name. • Online/Telephone Banking:You will receive a bill payment account numberfrom the OUAC as soon as you submit your application. • Cheque/Money Order: You must send the cheque or money order by mail within two weeks of submitting your online application.

6. Let’s Get Started! You will access the online application at: www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-101/

7. Navigating OUAC 101 This navigation bar runs across the top of each screen and guides you through the application. This navigation bar runs down the left side of each screen. Help links are located on most of the application screens.

8. Logging in to OUAC 101 To begin: Log in to your online application account using the confidential access codes provided by your guidance counsellor.

9. Selecting Your Program Not sure where to apply? Use the various “Search Options” provided. These are the search options!

10. The FastTrack Option To use the FastTrack option, enter your OUAC program codes: one per box. Enter OUAC program codes here.

11. Once You’ve Selected a Program: Complete the program details requested for each program selected. Select the Help link at any time for more information.

12. The Final Steps Once you’ve selected your programs, you’re ready to prepare and submit your application following these six steps below: 1. Review the programs that you have selected. 3. & 4. Your school may have already provided much of this data. Check it for accuracy and make changes where necessary. 5. The universities require you to answer nine questions. (Don’t worry – they’re easy!) 2. Number your choices in order of preference. This doesn’t affect admission or scholarships unless the university specifies this in their literature. 6. Review and report errors to your guidance office.

13. Academic Information Please report errors to your guidance counsellor. This screen is “read-only”.

14. Submitting Your Application Once you click “Submit”, you will verify all the information on your application. Print it for your records. To make changes, return to the specific application steps. Select “I Verify and Agree” to proceed to the payment screen.

15. Payment Once you have chosen your method of payment and clicked the “Finish ” button, you will immediately receive an OUAC Reference Number. The OUAC cannot process your application without the application fee.

16. Finishing Up • Print the screen displaying your OUAC Reference Number (2013-XXXXXX) and further instructions; it’s the screen right after the final “Submit” step. • Store your OUAC Reference Number and PIN in a safe place. You will need them to log back in to your application to review your information, make changes to it, and respond to offers of admission.

17. TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS ENTRANCE SCHOLARSHIPS: These scholarships are automatic, in that no specific application is required. The post secondary institute will evaluate every applicant for admission and inform students as to whether or not they have qualified. INDIVIDUALLY APPLIED SCHOLARSHIPS: These scholarships require students to submit an application form in order to be considered. They may be offered by: ● private organizations ● charitable organizations ● universities or colleges ● parent’s workplace ● ethnic or religious organizations ● service organizations

18. SCHOOL NOMINATED SCHOLARSHIPS: These scholarships are available by nomination from Aurora High School. The fact that the school has put forth a nomination does not guarantee that the student will be selected to receive that scholarship. The nominated student must still go through a selection process in competition with other school nominated candidates. AURORA HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES: There are a number of scholarships and bursaries awarded to students who attend Aurora High School. Students must fill out an application form available from the Guidance Department in the spring of their Graduation year in order to be considered for one of these scholarships. They are based on such criteria as academic performance, improvement, financial need, extracurricular involvement, student leadership and volunteerism.

19. TIPS ON HOW TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP • Obtain an application for the scholarship to which you want to apply. • Prepare a list of awards, certificates, letters of reference, work experience, volunteer experience and any other relevant information needed for the application. • Create a resume that includes main interests, extracurricular activities, community achievement, significant accomplishments, paid jobs, volunteer work. • Think about a budget, the money you’ll have, how much you’ll need and your expected costs. This is important if you are applying for bursaries. • Do all your work in rough copy. Have another person check spelling, grammar and sentence structure. • Obtain a copy of your transcript from the Guidance Department. • Many scholarships require letters of recommendation – ask your teachers, community leaders and/or employers at least one week in advance of the due date and provide them with all the necessary information for them to complete the letter. • Follow directions carefully – make sure that you submit everything that is required. • Be aware of deadlines! They are YOUR responsibility!

20. www.electronicinfo.cawww.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/guidance.serviceswww.studentawards.comwww.scholarshipscanada.comwww.canlearn.cawww.electronicinfo.cawww.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/guidance.serviceswww.studentawards.comwww.scholarshipscanada.comwww.canlearn.ca RESOURCES FOR INFORMATION ON SCHOLARSHIPS: