Financial Aid & resources workshop

1. Financial Aid & resources workshop Westmount Secondary November 3, 2015

2. What is the Difference? • Scholarships • Marks are most important • Something you “win” by competing or achieving a certain average • Bursary • Financial need most important • It is more like a “gift” for a need

3. How Much Will School Cost? • Each university or college requires tuition and fees. • These can vary between institutions and areas of study. • Each institution will also charge “student fees” that are in addition to tuition. • Books, food, housing, parking…. Are all extra.

4. Costs can vary… McMaster University Queen’s University

5. Types of Scholarships and Bursaries • Require a nomination vs. direct applications • Renewable vs. non-renewable • Guaranteed vs. application required • School based vs. community based • Merit based vs. needs based • Contests

6. Scholarships Based on Merit Requiring an Application These scholarships are the focus of this workshop because they require time, planning, and often other people.

7. Step 1 • Build an academic and personal record • This process has already begun and should not stop until you are finished with college or university. • Grades may be important in high school, college, and university. • Community involvement may play a key role in scholarships. • Leadership may help you out-compete other more academic candidates.

8. Step 2 • Be prepared • Start researching NOW and don’t stop. New opportunities may be just around the corner or they may be just about to expire. • Create a resume that includes all your areas of strength. • Build your list of references from a variety of areas, who knows specific things about you in various capacities.

9. Step 3 • Meet your deadlines – apply early. • Build in time for: • Letters of reference to be written • Mailings, required documents to be produced(2 days for transcripts requests please) • Get a friend/adult to PROOFREAD. Application must be perfect! • Don’t make your poor planning someone else’s emergency!

10. The Reference Letter • Make sure the person writing the letter: • Knows the criteria (photocopy the criteria page for them) • Matches the criteria! (Subject teacher? Coach? Employer?) • Provide the writer with: • a list of your accomplishments • a copy of the scholarship application • an idea of what you expect in that letter • a copy of your resume

11. Step 4 • Be appreciative • Say thanks to those who were a part of your application… even if you don’t get selected.

12. How to Find These Scholarships • Go to the university research website and look under “finance fees & scholarships” • Einfo as well as individual university websites McMaster University • http://sfas.mcmaster.ca/entrance.html University of Toronto • http://apply.utoronto.ca/adm-awards/html/awards/mainawdpage.htm Go to the Ontario Colleges and look under “paying for college” • college scholarships as well as individual college websites

13. How to Find These Scholarships(Community Based) • Try a website designed for scholarship searches such as: Scholarships Canada • http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/ Student Awards • http://www.studentawards.com/

14. How to Find These Scholarships(Community Based) • Ask your parents/guardians • Employers may offer scholarships. • Service groups or community organizations may have scholarships for children of members.

15. How do we help find scholarships? Check the Westmount Student Services Website: • Start with the Scholarships and Resources tab Student Services website • Also check the board website Awards and Bursaries

16. Competitive Scholarships • TD Scholarship for Community Leaders • Direct applicant • University of Toronto National Scholarship • School sponsorship 1 per school, or direct applicant • Western University National Scholarship • School sponsorship only, 4 per school • Queens’ Chancellor’s Scholarship • School sponsorship only, 1-2 per school • Schulich Leader Scholarships (STEM) • School sponsorship only, 1 per school

17. School Sponsorship • Many of the very large scholarship funds ask schools to choose a school-sponsored applicant • Deadlines to seek school sponsorship are weeks before the actual scholarship deadline • Check the Student Services’ website and watch for announcements

18. Scholarship Tips • Don’t be afraid to apply BUT make sure you do fit the criteria • If you want the money, put in the time • Hourly wage vs scholarship potential • How many hours of working at your job would it take to earn the $$ offered in the scholarship?

19. More Scholarship Tips • READ instructions carefully! • Be EXACT in the format, quantity of words, presentation of the application • Extra does not mean better • Make a GREAT impression(on paper)-Write about something that will make you stand out! • BE ORIGINAL! You want the judge to remember you!

20. Who Can Help? • Your Guidance Counsellor • Other teachers, coaches, group leaders • Family

21. Sample Essay Questions • Describe a time you challenged yourself by taking on a task/project you felt was beyond your scope and capability. Why did you do it? What happened? • Describe an activity where you led a group of people towards a common goal. How did you engage others? What difficulties did you encounter? What were the outcomes?

22. Who Can Help? • Other scholarship WINNERS • Scholarship Forums • People in the community (especially those involved with community events/groups)

23. Westmount graduation Awards • HWDSB • Community • School based • Provincial • Fill out your Award Candidate Profile on the Student Services website under graduation info tab after Grad Assembly in May