Post Secondary School Preparation
by Paul Tidey, CFP
As the father of two children who have graduated from high school and another child in grade 9, I thought it helpful to revisit scholarship options for all your children or grandchildren. Please find the following links of information that deal with various tips, traps, and advice on how to apply and hopefully land the vast array of awards for students that are available. It takes time and hard work to receive a scholarship award, but honest effort is always rewarded. I would like to thank Dover Bay counseling and career centre for their assistance in gathering this material. Any errors are solely those of the author.
Government Funds $
Provincial Scholarships:
Each year the ministry of Education awards provincial scholarships worth $1000 to students who demonstrate academic excellence on their provincial exams. Excellence is determined through a scoring formula that results in the Standard Ministry scores (SMS).
To qualify for a $1000 Provincial scholarship, you must write at least three provincial exams excluding Communication 12. You need an SMS of 475 points or better on at least three of your exams for the subject to count towards a scholarship. Finally, you need a total SMS of at least 1700 points to be awarded $1000. If you win, a voucher will be sent to you by August or September.
You have five years from September 30 of your graduating year to redeem your voucher at an approved accredited post-secondary institution or apprenticeship program. Read the voucher carefully. An official of the institution or program you are attending, and returned to the ministry must endorse it. After six to eight weeks, you’ll get your cheque in the mail.
For more details: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/careers/.
District Scholarships:
District scholarships are awarded to graduating students who have excelled in fields other than academic. The local district scholarship committees determine requirements.
These awards of $500 and or scholarship vouchers follow the same rules as the provincial scholarship above.
Federal Government: The Millennium Excellence Award Program recognizes supports and encourages talented Canadians who make significant contributions to the betterment of communities across the country and who demonstrate capacity for leadership and commit themselves to the pursuit of academic excellence and innovation.
There are three types of excellence awards:
- Local awards: one time awards of $4000
- Provincial/territorial awards: $4000 awards renewable for up to three additional years.
- National awards: $4800 awards renewable for up to three additional years.
More details can be found at: www.millenniumscholarships.ca.
Scholarship/bursaries/awards:
Bursaries and grants are based on financial need and sometimes on academic merit and citizenship. They do not have to be repaid. Students must apply for bursaries and will find information in the same places they find general scholarship information. Entrance scholarships are awards offered by the post-secondary institution you select. In some cases, students are automatically considered for the entrance awards when they are admitted, and other times require a separate application. Just as the name suggests, “entrance scholarships” are granted upon entrance to a university directly from high school. Make sure you check details and deadlines with the particular school you plan to attend.
Open scholarships are based primarily on academics and often on extra-curricular involvement and leadership potential. There are large amounts of money available to high-achieving students who fit the profile for a particular scholarship. Here are some tips on how to search for open scholarship money:
- Resources at local high school career centre
- Affiliations ask your family members what service clubs, churches, professional associations, unions, and cultural groups they belong to. There may be an award you qualify for.
- Sports/dance/Music/Clubs your association with a sports team, dance school, musical group or club can make you eligible for awards. Speak to your coaches and sponsors about such opportunities.
- Employers if you have a part-time job, you could be a candidate for an award from the company you work for, or perhaps your parents’ employers offer scholarships
- Community Local district awards (scholarships and bursaries) vary by community but can be a terrific source of support.
- Special circumstances there are scholarships, bursaries and grants for students with disabilities or health conditions.
- The Web there are thousands of scholarships that are not advertised in our high schools. The following sites are a good start.
Links to Scholarship websites
Government student loans and grants: www.canlearn.ca
| There are also many district specific awards to be found through local school district websites - eg. www.sd68.bc.ca (Nanaimo), www.sd39.bc.ca (Vancouver). |
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| Vancouver Island Districts |
Lower Mainland Districts |
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| Nanaimo 68 |
Vancouver 39 |
| Qualicum Beach 69 |
West Van 45 North Van 44 |
| Victoria 61 Comox 71 |
Burnaby 41 New West 40 |
| Port Alberni 70 Sooke 62 |
Richmond 31 Delta 30 |
| Cowichan 79 Gulf Islands 64 |
Surrey 36 Langley 35 Abbotsford 34 |
| Van Isle West 84 |
Coquitlam 43 Maple Ridge 42 |
| Van Isle North 85 |
Mission 75 Chilliwack 33 |
This article
is solely the work of Arbutus Financial for the private information
of our clients. Although we are registered Mutual Fund Representatives
with Dundee Private Investors Inc. (“Dundee Private Investors”),
this is not an official publication of Dundee Private Investors.
The views (including any recommendations) expressed in this newsletter
are those of the author alone, and they have not been approved by,
and are not necessarily those of, Dundee Private Investors.
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