As Grade 12 is upon many of us this year, it’s time to start thinking about taking action on universities and finding ways to help pay for it. Even if you’re not in Grade 12 yet (or if you think you aren’t eligible for any awards), there are still plenty of opportunities to land scholarships! Here is a basic little guide to finding, applying for, and receiving scholarships.
1. Eligibility The very first step (which, ideally, should be started at the beginning of high school or even before then) is to make yourself as eligible for scholarships as possible. Of course, each award varies in what it wants out of a recipient, but there are some universal actions that can help you as a candidate for any scholarship. These include:
- Working hard in school (“good grades” are required for many awards, but the requirement may only be a 70% average, so you shouldn’t stress too much about being a star student)
- Being involved in volunteering and community service (it’s a surprisingly easy and fun way to boost your application and be a positive force in your community)
- having extracurricular interests, from school clubs to sports (being “well-rounded” is a coveted characteristic in any scholarship applicant)
- showing leadership skills (getting involved early in extracurricular activities and sticking to them can provide valuable leadership opportunities down the road, which not only highlight commitment but also responsibility)
An important thing that scholarship donors look for in an applicant is dedication and effort. I’ve seen kids who try to do it all in terms of clubs, volunteering, and other activities, all while maintaining their grades. It is far better to be heavily involved in a few things that you really care about than to “spread yourself thin” by trying to do everything. Plus, if you have a passion for a certain activity, it’s much easier to write an essay on than being involved in a dozen activities that you never make serious contributions to.
It’s also a good idea to develop strong connections with teachers or community leaders, since many academic scholarships require references.
- Websites such as http://www.studentawards.com/ and http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/ are great for finding dozens of scholarships that are just for you. On these sites you can create a free account, customize your profile and search criteria, and instantly find scholarships based on your qualifications. http://www.educationmatters.ca/ is also a great place to go for many scholarships; you can check the criteria for each one and choose which awards you’d like to apply for. The great thing about EducationMatters is that you fill out one application for all of their scholarships, and then include extras such as reference letters, essays and financial information as required. The deadline for these scholarships is May 30, so you have plenty of time to work on your application and submit it to your high school, who will send it to EducationMatters. There are also search websites for US (http://www.petersons.com/college-search/scholarship-search.aspx) and international scholarships (http://www.internationalscholarships.com/).
- You can, of course, search for individual scholarships through general search engines. Checking out the websites of businesses and organizations (banks always offer plenty of scholarships, for example) can also provide you with potential scholarships.
- Entrance scholarships from universities can be huge and abundant. Some schools offer automatic entrance scholarships based on academic achievement, but there are also larger scholarships that require a separate application. Once you have narrowed down your school selection, look into deadlines and what is required for these entrance scholarships.
- If you’ve exhausted your resources, there is no shame in going to your guidance counsellor. They can provide information on scholarships that you didn’t even know existed, as well as help you with applying. They’re also great for references and recommendations. Oh, and don’t forget about the Rutherford!
While researching, keep in mind deadlines and requirements. Making sure that you are able to submit all required parts of an application (this can be reference letters or transcripts) by the necessary date is key.
3. Applying If you’re like me, you can be a bit of a procrastinator at times. When it comes to such things as scholarship applications, especially those which are long-winded, it’s difficult to get going. The task is made even more difficult when you read the requirements or inspect the application form and think, “Oh, my marks aren’t good enough,” or, “Oh, I don’t have nearly enough leadership experience.” Something to keep in mind is that lots of people feel this way. In fact, many people pass on applying for a certain scholarship just because they don’t think they stand a chance. Optimism is key. After all, someone has to win that scholarship, and why can’t it be you? A couple tips when undergoing the application process:
- If you think something is relevant to your application (such as you volunteering that one time for an hour at a retirement home), include it. Every bit helps.
- When it comes to writing essays, be thoughtful and unique. Do your best to stand out; give the selectors a reason as to why you deserve the award over all other applicants. Don’t sell yourself short. Also take advantage of teachers or guidance counsellors at school who would be willing to help you look over and improve your writing.
- If you think you’re close to being eligible for a scholarship, apply. There have been many cases when a scholarship doesn’t receive enough applications and by default, the winner may not have the exact original requirements. You never know if you might win, and even if you don’t, at least you will have gained experience that can be used for applying for other awards as well as resumes and job interviews.
- Apply for as many scholarships as you can. You can never rely on receiving a particular scholarship, but you might be surprised by what you do win. Increase your chances at success, but don’t forget to put forth effort on every single application! Coming across as being ambitious, hard-working and passionate can make all the difference.
Scholarships can be a lot of work, from trying to be a worthy applicant to writing a stellar essay. However, success is attainable, if you put your mind to it and give it your all. Who knows? You might even be that kid who gets a full-ride scholarship to Yale.
I hope this article has helped or inspired you in your scholarship quest, and I wish you luck!