Scholarships
Looking for Scholarships, Grants, Bursaries, Contests etc.?
Scholarships applications and academic contests pop up throughout the year. It is your job to ensure that you are actively looking for them and are mindful of their deadlines. This page will be updated as information is sent to us.
Click here for a great Canadian website which describes a number of different scholarship opportunities.
Click here for a list we compiled for you with timelines/deadlines.
HCOS Scholarships
We are excited to be offering HCOS Scholarships to our graduating students this year!
HCOS Scholarships and Bursaries will open for application the first week of February each year, and close the first week of May.
Questions?
Please contact Kaylee Moerman.
You can also access the Bursary Landing Page directly from their myBlueprint account. Simply navigate to the Scholarships tab via Dashboard > Tasks > Scholarships.
Here is what you need to know:
25 x $6,000 bursaries available to students with financial barriers to attending post-secondary.
Preference is given to students that can demonstrate strong character traits such as resiliency, community-mindedness, and commitment to excellence.
The bursaries are exclusively for current Grade 12, first-generation post-secondary education students (those whose parents did not attend post-secondary education).
The application deadline is TBD.
Scotiabank Scholarships
16 x $3,750 in awards
4 themes: Financial Wellness, Future Women Leader, Diversity, and STEM
Deadline: TBD
H&R Block Canada Scholarships
10 x $3,000 in awards
Valuable student-friendly info on taxes (click Learn More)
Deadline: TBD
myBlueprint Awards
5x $1,000 in awards
Only accessible via the myBlueprint Student account (instructions below)
Deadline: TBD
How to Apply:
Log in to your myBlueprint Account
Click the Tasks > Scholarship Tab
Read through the Terms and Conditions
Click Enter Draw > Confirm Entry
Scholarship Camp #1
Presentation Slides LINK
Scholarship Camp #3
Volunteer Work
Where do I find volunteer opportunities?
Check your local community boards and program guides
Talk to your neighbours, church mentors and friends
How to apply for Scholarships and Bursaries
Step 1: Determine what your financial need is and how many bursaries and scholarships you will be applying for.
Step 2: Develop a template to track all the scholarships and bursaries, particularly if you are applying to more than 5.
Create your own using excel OR Use our template
Step 3: Create useful fields on your spreadsheets for tracking
Scholarship name
Scholarship provider
Contact information
URL for additional information or online application
Deadline date
Award amount
Criteria (age, grade, GPA, etc.)
Documentation required (transcript, financial records, letters of recommendation, essays, etc.)
Helpful Hints
Here are some tips to consider:
Start researching scholarship options during grade 11 as the scholarship process begins early in your grade 12 year
Begin volunteering on a regular basis as many scholarships require a strong/consistent history of involvement as part of the eligibility
Each award has unique criteria. You may have to complete an essay and/or provide school transcripts and references
Consider a variety of smaller scholarships/awards as they may attract fewer applicants
Have an updated resume and cover letter, that you can change for a specific scholarship
Dedicate a specific time each week for your scholarship research
Pay close attention to application deadline date/time, particularly if sending hardcopy documents
Types of Scholarships/Bursaries/Awards
I) Post-Secondary Scholarship Options
These scholarships are contingent on accepting the offer of admission for that specific institution. The applications for these scholarships may be:
Automatic (you are not required to submit a separate scholarship application) such as an Entrance Award
General scholarship application may be required
Faculty specific (e.g. only for Engineering students)
Nominated (each school may nominate a limited number of students)
Based on financial need (bursary)
II) Association and Community Scholarship Options
Many groups offer scholarship/bursary opportunities to high school students such as unions, clubs, businesses, associations, organizations and so on. Students should consider their individual situation to see if any opportunities are available through their skills, involvement or family. Criteria for each of these opportunities varies including artistic ability, academic performance, community service, leadership, athletics, financial need, etc.
There are many other awards available to grade 12's that do not come through the school. We always recommend that students check scholarship websites, parents' workplaces, post-secondary institutions they are applying to and associations and organizations with which parents or grandparents are affiliated.
III) Find a Match
Some websites will match a student with a variety of awards in their database. Register online for this option at:
ScholarshipsCanada -- register information then it links you to applicable awards
Macleans --under “Scholarships” tab
Scholarships
A list of external sites and scholarship offerings
BCSTA Scholarships - British Columbia School Trustees Association
UBC's Bursaries for Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second Language
For First Nations students - you will need to submit the following;
Indigenous card (front and back) and grades,
proof of enrollment (registered in classes), and
letter from Indigenous organization regarding educational funding
https://indspire.ca/programs/students/bursaries-scholarships/
You were awarded a bursary/scholarship, now what?
1. Make sure to THANK you donors. At the bottom of your scholarship letter, you will see an address. Take the time to write and thank them once you have received your scholarship.
Dear Donor:
Thank you for the scholarship. I am planning to pursue a career in teaching and will be attending UNBC in the fall. The funds will go towards paying tuition and books...etc.
Sincerely,
Mya Scholarship
2. Award Deferral: If you are not planning to attend a post-secondary institution in the year immediately following graduation, please indicate that you would like a one year deferral in your thank you letter. Most scholarships, bursaries and awards only allow a one year deferral
