How to get scholarships in Canada

Now that you’ve got into university, it’s time to think about applying for a scholarship if you really need the financial help to get you through. It my sound daunting, but your school's finance office will give you all the guidance you need about which scholarships you are eligible for. They’ll even help you write the application and make the whole process as painless as possible

Nevertheless, we’ve got some extra tips to make sure that your application is a success!

Is a scholarship free money?

Absolutely! Many universities and organisations fund students, sometimes in just small amounts, but the good thing to remember is that you can apply for as many as you like and, unlike student loans, you never have to pay the money back.

There are so many types of scholarships to apply for and, amazingly enough, a lot of them remain unawarded each year because students actually underestimate their chances of getting one. So just go for it!

What are the criteria for scholarship?

First of all, make sure that you are eligible for a scholarship.You can apply for one if you are enrolled in a full-time academic program at a Canadian post-secondary institution. Some scholarship bodies base their criteria on your academic achievements, extra-curricular activities or special abilities, so remember that when applying.

International student seeking scholarships  can find out more information in the article Scholarships for International Students in Canada on our website.

What type of scholarship should you apply for?

That’s a crucial question, because it could be the make or break of you being awarded one! There are a range of scholarships available to domestic students, including government bursaries or grants. Some universities offer entrance scholarships, where you can be awarded anything from $500 to $6000, which is great if you get in! Don’t forget to check out your local school, community organisations, associations and local businesses - you may just discover that sponsorship is a lot closer to home than you think. Your student counsellor is there to point you in the right direction and also, there are a lot of websites giving information on available scholarships.

How do you apply for a free scholarship?

Once you have your found a scholarship that you feel is suitable for you, contact the awarding body for an application form, making sure that you fit all of the requirements first. For example, if they are looking for athletic prowess and your speciality is playing online games, you probably won’t succeed. Next, you will discover that the application procedure often  requires you to write something about yourself. This your chance to stand out from the competition, so make a few drafts until you feel that you have covered all of your selling points. Just use clear, concise language to talk about your qualities, goals and accomplishments and make sure to include every detail that could make the difference between being accepted or not. If you have done some type of community work, great, but if not, think about that small role you had in the drama club, or your language skills. Every little helps!

Do you need references?

It’s one thing to talk about yourself, but getting references from teachers or professionals allows the scholarship organisation to hear from others about why you deserve to receive it and definitely strengthens your application.

When should you start applying for scholarships?

You can begin looking as soon as you have decided that you want to enter higher education - i