WELCOME to

St. Joseph High School

Scholarship Information Session

Counsellors: Mrs. Becker, Mr. Neitz

Scholarships and Financial Awards ARE NOT…

• just for university bound students• only for students with really high

marks

There is a scholarship out there for everyone…

Our goal today is to:• Show you where to look for scholarships • Give you tips to help in applying for scholarships

• Inform you of Scholarships/Awards specific to St. Joseph High School• Inform you of Scholarships/Awards specific to

University of Saskatchewan

Definitions

ScholarshipA non-repayable sum of money awarded to a student to help finance further education. Most scholarships are based on merit in areas ranging from academic achievement to athletics. Usually, scholarships are not based on financial need.

BursaryA non-repayable grant of money. Bursaries are awarded primarily based on financial need, but academic achievement is also considered.Usually, the applicant must provide detailed documentation describing their financial situation when applying for a bursary.

AwardAn award is given on

recognition of outstanding achievement. Awards may be in the form of books, plaques, subscriptions or money.

Monetary awards are usually referred to as a scholarship or bursary.

Loan

Money borrowed for education, which is to be repaid.

Places to look for Scholarships

1. The St. Joseph Career Connection

• This is published from Student Services every few weeks.

• Available in your TGG, in Student Services, and on the St. J

2. College, Institution or University

• The particular college, institution or university you are planning to attend will have information on specific scholarships, bursaries, etc…

• Look in calendars and on websites.

3. Relatives• Ask your parents, guardians, and/or

grandparents as scholarships, awards and bursaries are often awarded through places of employment or

affiliation with a specific organization, union, etc…

5. Place of Employment• Your own place of employment-

McDonalds, Tim Horton's,…and many other places of employment offer scholarships for their employees.

Surf the Internet!

www.sasknetwork.ca

http://www.univcan.ca/programs

www.schoolfinder.com

http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/

www.siast.sk.ca/siast/servicesforstudents/scholarships

Now that you know where to look, what’s next???

1. Read through the scholarship well in advance of the due date.

Apply ONLY if you are ELIGIBLE!

2. If you need to obtain reference letters, give at least TWO WEEKS notice!

3. Provide your references with:a) Copies of the scholarship criteriab) A student profile sheet available from

student services.

Read the Application CAREFULLY

• Pay attention to all of the requirements!

a) Documentation needed: - transcripts - references – resumes - signatures

b) Essay questionsc) Copies neededd) Deadlines: -postmarked by, received by

e) Accepted methods of sending

Complete the Application

• Neatly

• As directed (typed,apply on line, black pen, extra

sheets…)

• Allow enough time: to receive transcripts,

reference letters, signatures, reflect on essay questions…

• Make yourself a copy

• Submit on time

ESSAY HINTSThis is your best chance to shine.

Make the most of it!

• Draft in Word, then cut & paste• Longer isn’t always better.

• Concise … quality vs. quantity

ESSAY HINTSMake a list of your…- Awards- Clubs- Work Education/Job Shadowing- International Exchanges/Trips- Part-Time Jobs- Projects- Scholastic Achievement- School Associations- Sports- Student Government- Volunteer Work In and Out of School- Career Exploration activities

ESSAY HINTSHow have your experiences

contributed to your personal growth?

Did they help you develop responsibility, teamwork skills, leadership skills, problem solving…

In your letter of application/personal essay, introduce your involvement by assigning at least one skill or quality that you gained from the experience or activity.

ESSAY HINTSExamples

Nothing wrong with this:

Basketball - Co-Captain and player Reason for involvement: I absolutely love the sport. Importance: It keeps me in shape and active. It also allows me to meet new people. From: 11/2000 To: 3/2007 Hours/week: 20

ESSAY HINTS Examples But compared to this

Francophone Youth Parliament (2006) in legislative building, Regina - Prime Minister, chair of organizing committee Reason for involvement: Interest in politics, desire to interest my peers in politics, showcase francophone presence in Saskatchewan, inspire others Importance: Organizing this activity reinforced my francophone identity and helped me understand the point of view of a politician. I also met over lunch with our Premier Lorne Calvert and discussed French post-secondary education and issues pertaining to renewable energy in Saskatchewan. From: 6/2006 To: 10/2006 Hours/week: 3

ESSAY HINTS Examples

Essay question“List five tasks that you have completed that, taken together, tell us who you are.”

ESSAY HINTS Examples

This is clearly inadequate:

“I created a slide show for the elementary school Christmas concert. I think it shows part of who I am because I am good at creating presentations on the computer and I volunteered for it.”

ESSAY HINTS ExamplesHere’s a winner:

1. Renewable Energy Award Recipient, and Atomic Energy Award Recipient at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Saguenay, QC (2006) – demonstrates environmental concern, passion to make a difference, and academic excellence. 2. Canadian Francophone Games in Winnipeg (2005) – demonstrates self-discipline, perseverance, love for athletics, and competitive nature.

3. Recipient of Grade 8 piano from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (2003) – demonstrates love for the arts, classical music, and drama. 4. Recipient of the School Leadership Award at high school (2005) – demonstrates my abilities to lead, my communication skills, my vision for change, and the fact that I am a team player. 5. Trip to Dominican Republic in February, 2006 as part of Spanish 30 class – in addition to being a Spanish immersion, this two-week stay in a poor rural community renewed my commitment to fight injustice and poverty. I was very touched that they shared what was essential to them through generous hospitality. I also love to travel and to meet new people.

Remember…

• Scholarship committee members do not have the benefit of “Knowing” you.

• You have to present “who you are” “ and what you offer” well enough on paper so they are impressed without having ever met you!

• Don’t be discouraged if you do not receive a scholarship right away. Keep trying! If you

don’t apply- you close the door of opportunity.

University of SaskatchewanScholarships, Bursaries &

Awards

For the most up to date information on all awards available to entering students, refer to the online Awards Guide for Entering Students at:

www.explore.usask.ca/moneymatters/awards/

ADMISSION/SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOPS:Friday December 4Monday Jan 11

Noon in the computer lab

St. Joseph High School Awards

Scholarship Applications and information packages can be picked up in Student Services in April.

Scholarship Summary List• This handout can be picked up in Student

Services. It contains information about any scholarship we receive at the school

• You will also find a binder with hardcopies of the information.

SCHOLARSHIP BULLETIN BOARD

• Check the scholarship bulletin board in student services. Has all of the latest information.