Scholarship&

BursaryAward Seminar

September 2013

AgendaAgenda

1.1. IntroductionIntroduction2.2. Financing Post-Secondary EducationFinancing Post-Secondary Education3.3. Scholarship & Bursary Award CriteriaScholarship & Bursary Award Criteria4.4. Some Awards AvailableSome Awards Available5.5. Application Due DatesApplication Due Dates6.6. Award DeferralsAward Deferrals7.7. Finding Award InformationFinding Award Information8.8. The Application PackageThe Application Package9.9. Helpful SuggestionsHelpful Suggestions10.10. Some Final ThoughtsSome Final Thoughts

Post-Secondary Education Post-Secondary Education Estimated Living CostsEstimated Living Costs

Tuition and FeesTuition and Fees $4500$4500 Books & SuppliesBooks & Supplies $1500$1500 Local Transportation $500Local Transportation $500 Personal ExpensesPersonal Expenses $2500$2500 Room & BoardRoom & Board $6000$6000 * Costs will vary depending on individual circumstances.* Costs will vary depending on individual circumstances.

Tuition, Fees and Room/Board Tuition, Fees and Room/Board ExpensesExpenses

The information to the right is The information to the right is based on Sept. 14/13 based on Sept. 14/13

post-post- secondary website secondary website informationinformation Fees are approximate, subject Fees are approximate, subject

to change and based on a to change and based on a general program.general program.

There may be additional There may be additional student fees, and will be student fees, and will be textbook, transportation textbook, transportation

and and personal expenses.personal expenses. Financial costs are only one Financial costs are only one

factor to consider.factor to consider. There are pros and cons to There are pros and cons to

attending any post-attending any post-secondary secondary institution. institution. Financial costs are Financial costs are onlyonly one factor to consider.one factor to consider.

Post-Post-Secondary Secondary InstitutionInstitution

Tuition & Tuition & Fees/per Fees/per school yr.school yr.

Food /On-Food /On-campus campus housinghousing

TotalTotal

UFVUFV $4335$4335 $7276$7276 $11,611$11,611

CBCCBC $9450$9450 $5000$5000 $14,450$14,450

TWUTWU $22,260*$22,260*

*Awards are *Awards are available to available to many students to many students to help cover costs.help cover costs.

$7550$7550 $29,810$29,810

UBCUBC $4794$4794 $8135$8135 $12,929$12,929

Financing Post-Secondary EducationFinancing Post-Secondary Education

Personal Savings: Summer/Part-time JobsPersonal Savings: Summer/Part-time Jobs Passport to Education: Grades 10* – 12Passport to Education: Grades 10* – 12 Scholarship & Bursary Awards:Scholarship & Bursary Awards:

* Dogwood District/Authority Award (B.C. Ministry of Education / * Dogwood District/Authority Award (B.C. Ministry of Education / FISA)FISA)

* Pathway to Teacher Education (B.C. Ministry of Education)* Pathway to Teacher Education (B.C. Ministry of Education)

* Provincial Exam Scholarship (B.C. Ministry of Education)* Provincial Exam Scholarship (B.C. Ministry of Education)

* * Various Businesses and OrganizationsVarious Businesses and Organizations

* Various Post-Secondary Institutions* Various Post-Secondary Institutions

Parents: Scholarship Plans, Gifts, LoansParents: Scholarship Plans, Gifts, Loans Government Loans: Provincial/FederalGovernment Loans: Provincial/Federal

Scholarship & Bursary Award Scholarship & Bursary Award CriteriaCriteria

Criteria for awarding scholarships & bursaries may include one or more Criteria for awarding scholarships & bursaries may include one or more of the following:of the following:

high academic achievementhigh academic achievement extra-curricular activitiesextra-curricular activities school/community serviceschool/community service leadership involvementleadership involvement good citizenshipgood citizenshipmembership in a specific organization (students/parents may need to be membership in a specific organization (students/parents may need to be members at least one year), attendance at a specific elementary school or members at least one year), attendance at a specific elementary school or home address in a specific locationhome address in a specific location financial needfinancial need nominationnomination pursuing specific post-secondary studiespursuing specific post-secondary studies pursuing a specific career and/orpursuing a specific career and/or connections – knowing the donorconnections – knowing the donor

Passport to EducationPassport to Education

The Passport to Education program recognizes and rewards The Passport to Education program recognizes and rewards student achievement, of Canadian Citizens or Landed student achievement, of Canadian Citizens or Landed Immigrants, in Grades 10 – 12. The Passport awards are used to Immigrants, in Grades 10 – 12. The Passport awards are used to further students’ post-secondary education and job training.further students’ post-secondary education and job training.

Passport to Education stamps will be given each September to Passport to Education stamps will be given each September to top students, in the previous year, in each of Grades 10*, 11 top students, in the previous year, in each of Grades 10*, 11 and 12. The values of the stamps are: and 12. The values of the stamps are: Grade 10*: Grade 10*: $250$250 Grade 11: Grade 11: $250$250 Grade 12: Grade 12: $500$500

The stamps can be redeemed as tuition credit at a designated The stamps can be redeemed as tuition credit at a designated post-secondary institutions. The tuition credit must be redeemed post-secondary institutions. The tuition credit must be redeemed within five year of the student’s expected graduation date.within five year of the student’s expected graduation date. * Passport to Education is being phased out. The grade 10 award is not available to students * Passport to Education is being phased out. The grade 10 award is not available to students

this year.this year.

DogwoodDogwood District/Authority District/Authority AwardsAwards

This $1000 award ($500 cash and $500 voucher This $1000 award ($500 cash and $500 voucher for post-secondary education*) is intended for for post-secondary education*) is intended for students who have taken grade students who have taken grade 11 & 12 courses 11 & 12 courses and excelled in one of the following areas: and excelled in one of the following areas:

(Information Meeting October 23(Information Meeting October 23rdrd))

Applied SkillsApplied Skills (Business Ed., Technology Ed., Home Ec.)(Business Ed., Technology Ed., Home Ec.)

Community ServiceCommunity Service Fine ArtsFine Arts (Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Music)(Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Music)

Physical ActivityPhysical Activity (not limited to Physical Education)(not limited to Physical Education)

Second LanguagesSecond Languages Trades & TechnologyTrades & Technology

The criteria for DDAA include:The criteria for DDAA include:

superior achievement superior achievement (80% or higher)(80% or higher) in specialty area in specialty area coursescourses a project, portfolio, record log and/or video a project, portfolio, record log and/or video (the (the “wow”“wow” factor) factor)

a letter written by the studenta letter written by the student a letter of recommendation by a teacher in the a letter of recommendation by a teacher in the specialty areaspecialty area a letter of recommendation by the counsellor / a letter of recommendation by the counsellor / principalprincipal

* The scholarship voucher must be redeemed, at a designated post- * The scholarship voucher must be redeemed, at a designated post- secondary institution or apprenticeship program, within five years secondary institution or apprenticeship program, within five years from from September 30th of the student’s graduating year.September 30th of the student’s graduating year.

PROVINCIAL GRADUATION PROGRAM PROVINCIAL GRADUATION PROGRAM EXAMINATIONSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPEXAMINATIONSHIPS SCHOLARSHIP

To qualify for a $1000 Provincial Graduation To qualify for a $1000 Provincial Graduation Program Examinations Scholarship students must be Program Examinations Scholarship students must be Canadian Citizens or Landed Immigrants, must meet Canadian Citizens or Landed Immigrants, must meet basic graduation requirements and :basic graduation requirements and :

* achieve at least a “B” * achieve at least a “B” (73% or higher) (73% or higher) final mark final mark (provincial (provincial exam and school mark combined) exam and school mark combined) in English 12 or in English 12 or Communications 12 Communications 12

* pass all five provincial graduation program exams* pass all five provincial graduation program exams* be one of the top 5000 students in the province based on * be one of the top 5000 students in the province based on their percentage scores their percentage scores

The scholarship voucher must be redeemed, at a designated post-The scholarship voucher must be redeemed, at a designated post-secondary institution or apprenticeship program, within five years from secondary institution or apprenticeship program, within five years from September 30th of their graduating year.September 30th of their graduating year.

Personal Education NumberPersonal Education Number

Your B.C. Ministry of Education PEN Your B.C. Ministry of Education PEN (Personal Education Number)(Personal Education Number) may be required for some application forms.may be required for some application forms.

Your PEN is a 9 – digit number issued by the B.C. Ministry of Your PEN is a 9 – digit number issued by the B.C. Ministry of Education when you enter the B.C. school system and it Education when you enter the B.C. school system and it should be on all of your past report cards should be on all of your past report cards (Please get your PEN (Please get your PEN

from from your report card - getting your PEN from the General Office should be a your report card - getting your PEN from the General Office should be a lastlast resort)resort)

You will need your PEN to set up your B.C. Ministry of You will need your PEN to set up your B.C. Ministry of Education exam account and to complete the online PSI Education exam account and to complete the online PSI Selections Form Selections Form (authorizing the B.C. Ministry of Education to automatically (authorizing the B.C. Ministry of Education to automatically

send your transcripts to certain schools and certain times of the year)send your transcripts to certain schools and certain times of the year)

Pathway to Teacher Pathway to Teacher Education ScholarshipEducation Scholarship

This $5000 scholarship (voucher to a B.C. Faculty of Education program) is awarded to 20 outstanding high school graduates. Criteria include:

•a B average in all Grade 11 and 12 courses required for graduation, with no more than one Grade 12 mark at a C+ level

•evidence of commitment to and aptitude for a teaching career

The application package must include:

•Two references – one from a community person and one from someone at your school (A resume

•A written response that outlines why you want to be a teacher

•Any additional items (portfolios, videos or other materials) that you would like considered with your application

Designated Post-Secondary Designated Post-Secondary SchoolsSchools

Check out: Check out: www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentaidbc/apply/www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentaidbc/apply/

designated.phpdesignated.php to see if you can use to see if you can use your your Passport to Education at the Passport to Education at the post-post-secondary school you are interested secondary school you are interested in in attending. attending.

(Designated schools may be public or private, in Canada or (Designated schools may be public or private, in Canada or outside of outside of Canada.)Canada.)

Abbotsford Community Foundation Abbotsford Community Foundation AwardsAwards

www.abbotsfordcf.orgwww.abbotsfordcf.org

The Abbotsford Community Foundation Awards are The Abbotsford Community Foundation Awards are available to students who are:available to students who are:

* graduating from Abbotsford School * graduating from Abbotsford School District District #34 secondary schools and/or MEI, and #34 secondary schools and/or MEI, and

* furthering their education by attending * furthering their education by attending accredited courses/programs or a accredited courses/programs or a

vocational / vocational / technical school within two and a half technical school within two and a half years of years of high school graduation. high school graduation.

Criteria for these awards may include Criteria for these awards may include one or more of the following:one or more of the following: high academic achievementhigh academic achievement school/community serviceschool/community service leadership involvementleadership involvement excellent citizenshipexcellent citizenship financial need financial need (need to demonstrate financial need)(need to demonstrate financial need)

pursuing specific post-secondary studies pursuing specific post-secondary studies and/or membership in a specific organization, and/or membership in a specific organization,

attendance at a specific elementary school attendance at a specific elementary school or or home address in a specific locationhome address in a specific location connections – knowing the donorconnections – knowing the donor

A complete Abbotsford Community A complete Abbotsford Community Foundation application package will include:Foundation application package will include:

completing an online application form completing an online application form (Social Insurance (Social Insurance Number required)Number required)

completing a Financial Planning worksheetcompleting a Financial Planning worksheet getting a reference letter from an adult, non-relative getting a reference letter from an adult, non-relative

preferable outside of schoolpreferable outside of school a transcript a transcript (first semester marks important)(first semester marks important)

Students will likely receive information about these Students will likely receive information about these awards in the first week of February, with awards in the first week of February, with applications tentatively due the beginning of March. applications tentatively due the beginning of March. The award must be claimed within The award must be claimed within 1818 months of months of graduation.graduation.

MEI Friends & Alumni AwardsMEI Friends & Alumni Awards

The A440 AwardThe A440 Award: : is available to a student who is involved in is available to a student who is involved in the music program at MEI and who is pursuing post-secondary the music program at MEI and who is pursuing post-secondary

education in Business.education in Business.

EP Industries Trades AwardEP Industries Trades Award: : is available to a student is available to a student enrolled in Construction and/or SSA who has a “B” or higher in enrolled in Construction and/or SSA who has a “B” or higher in related courses, a positive attitude, an excellent work ethic and who related courses, a positive attitude, an excellent work ethic and who is is planning to pursue a Trades related education/careerplanning to pursue a Trades related education/career

Evergreen Alumni Award:Evergreen Alumni Award: is available to a good academic is available to a good academic student who has participated in at least one Arts related activity, a student who has participated in at least one Arts related activity, a

school athletic activity, school and community related service and school athletic activity, school and community related service and who is planning to attend a post-secondary institution.who is planning to attend a post-secondary institution.

MEI Friends & Alumni Awards con’tMEI Friends & Alumni Awards con’t

Judii Rempel Memorial Award: Judii Rempel Memorial Award: is given for being a is given for being a member of a Mennonite Church and for pursuing post-member of a Mennonite Church and for pursuing post-secondary studies in Humanities, Religious Studies or secondary studies in Humanities, Religious Studies or Sociology.Sociology.

Mary Esau Memorial BursaryMary Esau Memorial Bursary: : is available to a good is available to a good academic student with an excellent work ethic who academic student with an excellent work ethic who

demonstrates financial need and who is pursuing post-demonstrates financial need and who is pursuing post-secondary education/career in Nursing (preferred) or secondary education/career in Nursing (preferred) or Education.Education.

FINDING AWARD INFORMATIONFINDING AWARD INFORMATION

Check the Internet:Check the Internet:http://on.fb.me/165JNcy http://on.fb.me/165JNcy (MEI Student Services Grad 2014 Facebook Group)(MEI Student Services Grad 2014 Facebook Group) www.keytoscholarships.comwww.keytoscholarships.comwww.studentawards.comwww.studentawards.com www.scholarshipscanada.comwww.scholarshipscanada.comhttp://meischools.com/secondary/pages/student_services/grads.phphttp://meischools.com/secondary/pages/student_services/grads.phpwww.bced.gov.bc.ca/awardswww.bced.gov.bc.ca/awardswww.canlearn.cawww.canlearn.cawww.collegeboard.orgwww.collegeboard.orgwww.debtfreegrad.com www.debtfreegrad.com (copies of book available in Student Services)(copies of book available in Student Services)www.careercruising.comwww.careercruising.comwww.campusstarter.comwww.campusstarter.comhttp://www.fastweb.com http://www.fastweb.com (seems to be geared more towards US)(seems to be geared more towards US)

SAMPLE APPLICATION DUE DATESSAMPLE APPLICATION DUE DATESApplication dates vary:Application dates vary:

Loran Scholars program Loran Scholars program (sponsored) (sponsored) October 16, 2013October 16, 2013 (http://loranscholar.ca/apply/ )(http://loranscholar.ca/apply/ ) TD Canada Trust Scholarships TD Canada Trust Scholarships December 6, 2013 December 6, 2013 (www.tdcanadatrust.com/scholarship)(www.tdcanadatrust.com/scholarship) SFU Entrance Scholarship SFU Entrance Scholarship February 28, February 28,

20132013 MEI Friends & Alumni AwardsMEI Friends & Alumni Awards Early March 2014 Early March 2014 (EP Industries Trades, Evergreen Alumni, Judii Rempel Memorial, (EP Industries Trades, Evergreen Alumni, Judii Rempel Memorial, Mary Esau Memorial and The A440 Awards)Mary Esau Memorial and The A440 Awards) Abbotsford Community Foundation AwardsAbbotsford Community Foundation Awards Early March Early March

20142014 UFV Entrance ScholarshipUFV Entrance Scholarship Early April 2014 Early April 2014 Dogwood District Authority/AwardDogwood District Authority/Award Early April 2014 Early April 2014

Unless it says otherwise, assume that the application package must arrive at the Unless it says otherwise, assume that the application package must arrive at the donor organization by the due date.donor organization by the due date.

Again, it is important to regularly check the GRAD bulletin board in Student Again, it is important to regularly check the GRAD bulletin board in Student Services and various award websites regularly, , join the MEI Student Services Services and various award websites regularly, , join the MEI Student Services Grad 2014 Facebook Group and to check with specific post-secondary Grad 2014 Facebook Group and to check with specific post-secondary institutions and organizationsinstitutions and organizations..

AWARD DEFERRALS: WHAT IF POST-SECONDARY AWARD DEFERRALS: WHAT IF POST-SECONDARY

EDUCATION IS AT LEAST ONE YEAR AWAYEDUCATION IS AT LEAST ONE YEAR AWAY??

Complete award application packages Complete award application packages even if post-even if post- secondary education is secondary education is at least one year away, at least one year away, unless it very unless it very clearly says clearly says mustmust be attending school be attending school in September 2014in September 2014 Some awards are valid for at least one Some awards are valid for at least one or more or more years after graduationyears after graduation If you are successful in receiving an If you are successful in receiving an award from a award from a university, write a university, write a letter asking if it can be deferred, letter asking if it can be deferred, stating the reasons whystating the reasons why

eg. need to work, attending a Bible eg. need to work, attending a Bible SchoolSchool

Finding Award InformationFinding Award Information - con’t. - con’t.

Post-secondary education websitesPost-secondary education websites

Organization & government websitesOrganization & government websites

Various search enginesVarious search engines

Scholarship Workbook by Pat Lee Scholarship Workbook by Pat Lee (Mouat)(Mouat)

Check the Check the GRAD GRAD bulletin board in Student Servicebulletin board in Student Service

Look through books & newspapersLook through books & newspapers

THE APPLICATION PACKAGETHE APPLICATION PACKAGE Completed Scholarship & Bursary application packages Completed Scholarship & Bursary application packages

may include one or more of the following:may include one or more of the following:

An Application form:An Application form:

“ “type” or use black pen (if pen is allowed)type” or use black pen (if pen is allowed) don’t leave any space blank - if you think a questions don’t leave any space blank - if you think a questions doesn’t apply to you write, “not applicable”doesn’t apply to you write, “not applicable” if you aren’t sure how to answer a question, contact the if you aren’t sure how to answer a question, contact the organization organization offering the scholarshipoffering the scholarship may request letter gradesmay request letter grades may request a list of volunteer/work experiencesmay request a list of volunteer/work experiences may request a list of extra-curricular activitiesmay request a list of extra-curricular activities may request a list of leadership contributionsmay request a list of leadership contributions may request your Social Insurance Numbermay request your Social Insurance Number

THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t)THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t)

An “official” An “official” interiminterim Transcript: Transcript: ( A final Transcript, from the B.C. Ministry of Education, will be mailed to your ( A final Transcript, from the B.C. Ministry of Education, will be mailed to your

home, home, at the end of July .)at the end of July .)

•consists of your grade 10-12 courses and marksconsists of your grade 10-12 courses and marks•is created by the MEI General Office, after they receive a is created by the MEI General Office, after they receive a Transcript Request Form Transcript Request Form (available at (available at http://meischools.com/secondary/pages/student_services/grads.php or http://meischools.com/secondary/pages/student_services/grads.php or in in Student Services) Student Services) andand when the transcript can’t be when the transcript can’t be requested requested through completing the online B.C. through completing the online B.C. Ministry of Ministry of Educations Post-Secondary Institutions Educations Post-Secondary Institutions (PSI) Selections (PSI) Selections Form at: Form at: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/trx_updates.www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/trx_updates.

((MEI generated transcripts will be available within MEI generated transcripts will be available within 22 business business days. There is no charge for the first five transcripts; days. There is no charge for the first five transcripts; however, however, there is a $5.00 fee for each additional transcript.) there is a $5.00 fee for each additional transcript.)

THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (CON’T)THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (CON’T)

A Personal Letter:A Personal Letter:

* describing yourself, your volunteer & work * describing yourself, your volunteer & work

experiences, your school & experiences, your school &

community community experiences, leadership activities experiences, leadership activities

and/or and/or personal & career goalspersonal & career goals

THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t)THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t)

Letters of Reference:Letters of Reference: if you can choose your reference, choose someone who knows if you can choose your reference, choose someone who knows you you well (your strengths, abilities, goals etc.) well (your strengths, abilities, goals etc.)

eg. a teacher / coach who has had you for a few years or whose eg. a teacher / coach who has had you for a few years or whose class you did well in ( class you did well in (References should not be peers, References should not be peers,

immediate immediate family members or relatives.family members or relatives.)) sometimes the reference letter has to be written by a school sometimes the reference letter has to be written by a school

counsellor or administratorcounsellor or administrator give people as much time as possible to write a reference letter, give people as much time as possible to write a reference letter,

minimum one week, preferably at least two weeksminimum one week, preferably at least two weeks provide a copy of your application , MEI Student Profile and/or provide a copy of your application , MEI Student Profile and/or

resume to the person writing your reference letterresume to the person writing your reference letter provide a stamped envelopeprovide a stamped envelope consider sending a “thank you” note to people who write letters consider sending a “thank you” note to people who write letters

of reference for youof reference for you

THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t)THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t)

An Essay:An Essay:

* * on a given topic - on a given topic - eg. future goals & dreams, something you’re eg. future goals & dreams, something you’re

passionate about, significant or meaningful passionate about, significant or meaningful contribution you have made to the community contribution you have made to the community

* personal & original, interesting intro., be creative* personal & original, interesting intro., be creative

* reflect how experiences have impacted your life, * reflect how experiences have impacted your life, what what you’ve learned through life experiences and you’ve learned through life experiences and

involvement with others, and how you are or can use involvement with others, and how you are or can use what you’ve learned, skills you’ve developed in life what you’ve learned, skills you’ve developed in life (reflect on yourself within the greater whole)(reflect on yourself within the greater whole)

THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t)THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t)

A Resume: A Resume: (1 -2 pages maximum)(1 -2 pages maximum)

• must be word processedmust be word processed•begin with most recent involvements first begin with most recent involvements first and work “backwards”, unless the directions and work “backwards”, unless the directions say otherwisesay otherwise

An Interview:An Interview: (eg. Mission Foundation Awards)(eg. Mission Foundation Awards)

•questions may be related to current contributions, questions may be related to current contributions, community awareness, life experiences, future goals community awareness, life experiences, future goals etc.etc.

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONSHELPFUL SUGGESTIONS Take Take INITIATIVEINITIATIVE (Don’t leave it to mom or dad!)(Don’t leave it to mom or dad!)

INITIATEINITIATE and organize a new program / show leadership and organize a new program / show leadership (eg. “Old to New”, “Tutoring”, “S.O.U.L”)(eg. “Old to New”, “Tutoring”, “S.O.U.L”)

Do your best to be a positive person with a good attitude, Do your best to be a positive person with a good attitude, effort and behavioureffort and behaviour

Be confident, emphasize strengths – “brag about yourself Be confident, emphasize strengths – “brag about yourself in a humble sort of way”in a humble sort of way”

Develop good relationships with teachers / youth pastors / Develop good relationships with teachers / youth pastors / employers / adults etc. who can write reference letters employers / adults etc. who can write reference letters

for for you you – consider sending a “thank you” note to people – consider sending a “thank you” note to people who who help you with the application processhelp you with the application process

BE ORGANIZEDBE ORGANIZED

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t)HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t)

Read through the application as soon as possible Read through the application as soon as possible andand carefully follow the directions on the carefully follow the directions on the application formsapplication forms (make sure you qualify for the (make sure you qualify for the award/meet the criteria)award/meet the criteria) Make a couple of photocopies of the scholarship Make a couple of photocopies of the scholarship application before you fill it outapplication before you fill it out Do the best you can in your courses while still Do the best you can in your courses while still living a living a balancedbalanced life life Get involved in extra-curricular activities at Get involved in extra-curricular activities at school and in the community/churchschool and in the community/church Volunteer your time serving and helping others in Volunteer your time serving and helping others in

school and in the community / churchschool and in the community / church

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t)(con’t)

Complete your application at least two weeks Complete your application at least two weeks before the application deadline – request before the application deadline – request Transcripts earlyTranscripts early When you ask someone to write a reference letter When you ask someone to write a reference letter

give them at least one to two weeks notice. Also, give them at least one to two weeks notice. Also, give them a copy of the scholarship/bursary give them a copy of the scholarship/bursary criteria and a copy of your MEI Student Profile criteria and a copy of your MEI Student Profile and/or Resume.and/or Resume. Let your parents videotape you in school concerts, Let your parents videotape you in school concerts,

plays, community soccer games etc.plays, community soccer games etc. Open a scholarship/bursary file on your computer Open a scholarship/bursary file on your computer

and regularly enter informationand regularly enter information

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t)(con’t)

Start now already making a list of Start now already making a list of allall paid/volunteer work experiences, paid/volunteer work experiences, accomplishments, contests entered, awards accomplishments, contests entered, awards received etc. and dates/years involvedreceived etc. and dates/years involved You or your parents may want to become You or your parents may want to become members of organizations that offer members of organizations that offer scholarships & bursariesscholarships & bursaries Get a Social Insurance NumberGet a Social Insurance Number (Students must have a SIN to apply the ACF Awards)(Students must have a SIN to apply the ACF Awards)

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t)(con’t)

Use flawless English in a very neat, clear format Use flawless English in a very neat, clear format (A rough draft first is recommended.)(A rough draft first is recommended.)

Ask a parent, teacher, friend, counsellor etc. to Ask a parent, teacher, friend, counsellor etc. to proofread your application for content proofread your application for content and/orand/or

for for grammargrammar Make sure the completed application package, Make sure the completed application package,

project etc. is your own workproject etc. is your own work Keep a copy of all application packages you Keep a copy of all application packages you submit on file at homesubmit on file at home

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t)(con’t)

Check the Check the GRADE 12GRADE 12 bulletin board and award bulletin board and award related websites regularly – due dates vary. related websites regularly – due dates vary. Unless Unless it says otherwise assume that application it says otherwise assume that application packages must arrive at the destination by the packages must arrive at the destination by the due date.due date. Don’t procrastinate - working towards and Don’t procrastinate - working towards and applying for awards involves time ~ time working applying for awards involves time ~ time working hard, time getting involved and time taking the hard, time getting involved and time taking the initiative to search for, read and complete initiative to search for, read and complete application packagesapplication packages If you win an award send a “Thank You” If you win an award send a “Thank You” letter/note to the donor as soon as possibleletter/note to the donor as soon as possible

Writing Thank You Letters Writing Thank You Letters to Donorsto Donors

UVIC tips for writing “Thank You” Letters:UVIC tips for writing “Thank You” Letters:http://registrar.uvic.ca/safa/documents/http://registrar.uvic.ca/safa/documents/ThankYouLetter2009_10_Nov09.pdf ThankYouLetter2009_10_Nov09.pdf

Abbotsford Community Foundation sample “Thank Abbotsford Community Foundation sample “Thank You” Letter:You” Letter:http://abbotsfordcf.org/Docs/samplethankyouletter.pdfhttp://abbotsfordcf.org/Docs/samplethankyouletter.pdf

MEI Student Services MEI Student Services Grad 2014 Facebook GroupGrad 2014 Facebook Group

Award and post-secondary related Award and post-secondary related information may also be found on the information may also be found on the

MEI Student Services Grad 2014 MEI Student Services Grad 2014 Facebook group page at:Facebook group page at:

http://on.fb.me.165JNCY http://on.fb.me.165JNCY

A Final ThoughtA Final Thought

Winning one or more awards is not Winning one or more awards is not guaranteed, however, getting involved in guaranteed, however, getting involved in enriching activities and serving others can enriching activities and serving others can help to make your high school experience help to make your high school experience

more memorable and meaningful, and more memorable and meaningful, and make a difference in the lives of others.make a difference in the lives of others.

AttachmentsAttachments

a. a. Reference Letter Request FormReference Letter Request Form

b. MEI Student Profileb. MEI Student Profile

c. Transcript Request Formc. Transcript Request Form

d. d. SEARCHING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS: Award-Winning Scholarship Strategies

  January 2001 Career World