Scholarship Application Timeline and Procedures

INTRODUCTION:

Scholarship information is available on the scholarship bulletin board (located in the Student Services Office), and is posted in each English 12/Communications 12 classroom.  Information is also available from Moscrop's website, under "student preparation" and "student application."  Many scholarships, bursaries and awards will be advertised in these bulletins.

Scholarships are awarded to recognize excellence in various areas, whether they be in academics, visual and performing arts, applied skills, athletics, or service to school or community. Some have the additional criterion of financial need.

Preparing an application properly requires a lot of time and effort. Transcripts, a resume, an essay, and letters of reference are often required.  Information on resume and cover letter tips are available by the scholarship bulletin board and via Planning 10 classes (hopefully, students kept their resources from this class). 

Regardless of a student's success in receiving a scholarship or award, the process of volunteering and applying is still a worthwhile one, as it allows each student to gain invaluable insight and life experience.

THERE ARE FOUR MAIN TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS:

  1. Moscrop scholarships. Every year the Parents’ Advisory Committee has donated a generous sum earmarked for scholarships. Only students who have a completed Student Profile will be considered. The Student Profile is the application form for all of these scholarships. These were due Oct. 13th.  Students are encouraged to update these as their experiences.  These profiles are confidential, with the exception of the school scholarship committee.  The Moscrop Scholarship Committee comprises of a teacher from each department in the school. 
  2. External Scholarships. These are awards that are available to B.C. grads. These may be advertised in the Scholarship Bulletins, newspapers, or may be available through a relative’s place of work, club or organization. Be sure to ask family and friends. Have your parent/guardians check with their employers, unions and any organizations to which they belong regarding the availability of any scholarships or bursaries. It is a good idea, to do this now, as it is sometimes necessary to apply early for these, particularly if they are administered through an American company or union (i.e. International Teamsters’).
  3. Post-Secondary Scholarships. Universities and many colleges offer scholarships in an attempt to draw strong students (academically and extracurricularly) to their institution and reward them for their efforts. These range from one term’s tuition to awards of more than $30,000. Applications for local university scholarships will be advertised in the Scholarship Bulletins. For other Canadian universities, look on the web, or borrow the calendars from the Student Services Centre.  Call or visit the Financial Aid office at the college/university in which you are interested in attending.
  4. Ministry of Education Scholarships. The provincial government offers $1000 scholarships to students who attain a total Standard Ministry Score of 1700 or more on 3 provincial exams. There are also district scholarships of $1000 each for Moscrop students who demonstrate a focus in the area of business, applied skills or fine arts, are taking less than four provincially examinable courses, and have plans to pursue their goals in a non-academic field.  These latter scholarships are not awarded until September, 2007.

SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER:

Complete your Student Profile. If you wish to be considered for a Moscrop based scholarship, your Student Profile must be on file with Ms. Niccoli-Harris.  It is a good idea to keep a photocopy for your own files.  These can be updated as your experience (i.e.: work, volunteer) grows.

Research calendars of the post-secondary institution(s) that you plan to attend. Calendars are available in the Library and from your counsellor. You can order your own copy directly from the institution. Information is often available on the web as well. Turn to the Financial Aid section of the post-secondary calendar and check through all the entrance scholarships, bursaries, and awards. Note the ones for which you are eligible and make a list of these to keep in your file. Note application procedures and due dates.

Students should update and polish their resumes.  Use 8 ½" by 11" paper, one side only. See handout by the Scholarship Bulletin board for ideas.

You may need to emphasize different information for different award applications. You may also be asked to provide an account of your financial circumstances and those of your family if the award applied for indicates financial need as a criterion. Keep copies of reference letters that others have written for you. You may not be given copies of confidential letters.

Read all applications carefully. **Photocopy the application form to use as your practice copy and to keep as a reference in your file. Read all the questions on the form carefully, and be sure to respond to them thoroughly, accurately, neatly and punctually.

If you are applying for American Universities make sure you have satisfied all requirements (e.g. writing the SAT). Most American Universities require your counsellor to fill out part of the form. You must bring all your applications at one time to your counsellor. There is a limit to the number of applications your counsellor will complete.

Make decisions about which three institutions you want to hear about.

Attend Post Secondary Day and ask questions.

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY:

Watch the Financial Bulletins for announcements of special scholarships from SFU, UBC, and University of Victoria. Be sure to respond at once.

As scholarships appear in the Scholarship bulletins, get your application forms from the web or from Counselling Centre.

You should have a resume ready by now and stored on a computer disk so that it can be easily adjusted.

Update your Student Profile if necessary.

Request reference letters well ahead of time (minimum of 2 weeks). Use the form available in Counselling Centre. As well, it is a good idea to supply a resume to those you ask to write you a reference letter. Keep a copy in your files.

MARCH AND APRIL:

Update your Student Profile and resume if necessary.

When the post-secondary institution calendars are available in April or May, check the Financial Aid section in the new calendar to ensure that the scholarships, etc. you were interested in are still available.

UBC prepares a special awards and financial aid booklet that may be obtained from the UBC Financial Aid Center. There will also be a copy available in Student Services. It gives instructions on how to apply for all awards available at UBC.

SFU has one application for all entrance scholarships plus a separate one for bursaries.

University of Victoria has individual application forms for its awards. Check calendar.

Moscrop has a Capilano College scholarship. One student will receive free tuition for a year.

If you are planning to attend Douglas College, BCIT, VCC, or another post-secondary institution, phone their Financial Aid office and ask for application forms.

If you plan to apply for a Canada Student Loan, you can get the information from the website www.bcsap.bc.ca or your counsellor. Once you have been accepted by a post secondary institution, their Financial Aid Office will assist you.

March – April 15 is the busiest and most crucial time. Read the student bulletin and Scholarship bulletins regularly. Submit your applications on time!

If you need references, ask for them at least two weeks before they are required and provide them with a copy of your resume. The title of the person writing your reference letter is not as crucial as how well they know you.

If you need to supply names of references such as teachers, ministers, community workers, or employers make sure you ask their permission.

MAY:

Due dates for most local scholarships fall between April 30 and June 1. You must be ready to respond quickly.

Note: If you win a scholarship, bursary or award, a letter of thanks to the sponsoring institution, organization, or individual is appropriate.

JUNE:

Provincial Scholarships ($1000). You must do well in at least three provincially examinable subjects to be considered for this award.

District Scholarships ($1000) – for those students who are doing well in a concentration of courses in a non-academic/career area(Marketing, Tourism, Art, etc.) You can not be awarded both a Provincial and District scholarship.

Students are asked to advise the administration or Mrs. Millar if they have been granted an award in order that they can be recognized at the School Leaving Ceremonies.