FINANCING POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

Researching Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards

Where do I start?

• Go to the SATEC website (https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/SATEC) > Departments >Guidance >Post-Secondary Planning >Financing Post-Secondary Education. Some information is also posted in the Grade 12 Guidance Google Classroom in the classwork tab.

• Start thinking about who will be able to provide you with letters of recommendation. Allow adequate time for the letters to be written. Remember to send a thank you note to those who do write a letter of recommendation for you.

What types of organizations provide scholarships?

• Local chapters of international clubs, e.g. Rotary, Kiwanis

• Provincial, national, or international athletic organizations

• Parent/guardian employers

• Ethnic and religious affiliated organizations

• Veteran’s affiliations

• Your employers, e.g., McDonalds, TD Canada Trust, Cadillac Fairview

• Check the Internet for others

How can I prepare?

List any information that may qualify you for an award, bursary, or scholarship

• Consider all academic awards you have received as well as awards for non-academic involvement

• Have you had a co-op placement or a part-time job? What were your responsibilities?

• Have you worked on any large projects that are notable? What role did you play?

• Academic achievement – Are you an Honour Roll student?

• International exchange – did you travel outside Canada to study, volunteer, etc.?

• What has your involvement been with school clubs, teams, or student government?

• Volunteer experience – what volunteering have you done? (This is a requirement for many scholarships and bursaries.)

Begin building your portfolio!

Financing a Post-Secondary Education

There are two sources of money for education:

• Non-repayable sources

o   These do not have to repaid so you should do everything to maximize them

o   Sources include scholarships, bursaries, grants, earnings from summer and part-time jobs, savings, and contributions from  parents/guardians/caregivers.

• Repayable sources

    o   Government-sponsored loans, bank loans and other loans. 

Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants

Scholarships

• Available from a variety of sources including universities, colleges, businesses, foundations, community organizations, etc.

• You will automatically be considered for some university scholarships that are based on marks. Other scholarships may require a separate application since other factors such as leadership skills, extracurricular and community involvement may be considered.

• Check the websites of the schools to which you have applied. Visit the financial aid links on those sites.

• SATEC Scholarships and Awards – there are some school-based awards that help to defray the cost of a post-secondary education. These awards are based on a variety of factors such as academic excellence, extra-curricular or community involvement and financial need. The criterion varies for each award.

You must be prepared to do your research to find scholarships that are offered by businesses and community organizations.

 Bursaries and Grants

• Bursaries are funding sources that are available to students based on financial need. Major sources of bursaries are the universities or colleges that you attend. They are often financed with funds provided by outside donors.

• Grants available through the University of Toronto include UTAPS (University of Toronto Advance Planning for Students). UTAPS is available to students who are assessed by OSAP as requiring maximum assistance, and whose need is not fully covered by government aid.             

• Check the websites of the schools that you have applied to for further information regarding bursaries and grants.

The Scholarship Guide by M. Singroy is a good primer for students embarking on the scholarship journey.