KP Guide to Scholarships and Awards
& Ms. Duffield's Sept. 2023 PPT presentation
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Requesting Reference Letters - Pro Tips
Strong reference letters play an important role as they illustrate that individuals in your school and community believe in you as a scholarship candidate. When seeking out reference letters, you want to make the process as easy as possible for the writer. Below are some tips to help you seek out strong references.
Start early in gathering reference letters. It's a good idea to have multiple letters from different types of references. You will need a minimum of two for most applications. Having a few more is always a good idea.
- Think about who could give you the best reference - teacher, counsellor, coach, employers, religious leaders, an employer or someone you've volunteered for, etc. You cannot use family members as references.
- Provide as much notice as possible. A minimum of two weeks before the application is needed is acceptable, however the more time you provide your reference the better.
- Ensure you review the application and reference requirements. Provide as much information to your reference.
- Is there a word or page length for the letter?
- Do they need to address someone specific?
- Do they need to address specific qualities or achievements for you?
- Does your reference have letterhead they can use?
- Provide your reference with as much information about yourself as possible. Fill out the Reference Request Form below, and give to whomever you ask. This will help them write a more detailed letter.
- Be polite and gracious, when asking for a letter of reference. A little flattery never hurt.
- Make sure to write a thank you note for your references after your receive your letter. Showing you are appreciative is so important, not only in maintaining the relationship with your reference, but also in case you need to ask them to make any changes to the letter down the road.
Start early in gathering reference letters. It's a good idea to have multiple letters from different types of references. You will need a minimum of two for most applications. Having a few more is always a good idea.
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Scholarship Profile
Keeping a scholarship profile is a great way to help you stay organized and make the scholarship application process easier. This can be a digital folder on your computer, or a physical folder or binder. The following items are commonly required in scholarship applications:
- Plans for Post-Secondary/Career (schools, programs, career you plan to pursue)
- Transcript
- Resume
- Work/Volunteer Experience
- School Involvement: clubs, committees, sports, etc.
- Awards, achievements, certifications
- Community Involvement: volunteering, sports, extra-curriculars, training
- Financial Information (Bursaries and Grants often require proof of family income like a T4 slip)
- Reference Letters
- Essays
Scholarship Essays
Many scholarships require you to write an essay. Essays typically range from 200 words to 1200 words. Some scholarships may require to discuss a specific topic, but more often than not, there are some common themes among essay topics. It's a good idea to keep every essay you submit. You can then revise and improve essays as needed throughout the year.
Common Essay Themes:
Overcoming challenges or adversity
Future Plans
Common Essay Themes:
Overcoming challenges or adversity
- What was the challenge, how did you overcome it and what did you learn from it?
- Discuss a time when you were in a leadership role. Leadership comes in many forms.
- Any act of responsibility and/or initiative that serves others is a form of leadership.
- Just being on a team is not leadership – it’s about you stepping up and serving or helping others in some way.
Future Plans
- Discuss the program that you are applying for, how/why did you choose it, the potential career you want to pursue and why you think you’ll be successful.
Scholarship News & Articles
How and Why You Should Write a Scholarship Thank You Letter
How to Find and Apply for Scholarships - From School Finder
Finding and applying for scholarships can be tiring and stressful. UWaterloo makes it easier for you with our simple steps! How to Find and Apply for Scholarships - SchoolFinder.com!
SHAD Scholarships
“Black and Indigenous students now have more opportunities to explore careers in STEAM and entrepreneurship thanks to new entrance scholarships for Shad Canada programs. These awards are specifically for students that have historically been underrepresented in STEAM fields and aim to support and inspire equity-deserving students to enter into STEAM pathways and careers.”
Shad Canada launches new scholarships for Black and Indigenous youth (newswire.ca)
“Black and Indigenous students now have more opportunities to explore careers in STEAM and entrepreneurship thanks to new entrance scholarships for Shad Canada programs. These awards are specifically for students that have historically been underrepresented in STEAM fields and aim to support and inspire equity-deserving students to enter into STEAM pathways and careers.”
Shad Canada launches new scholarships for Black and Indigenous youth (newswire.ca)
ScholarTree
6 Common Mistakes When Applying to Scholarships
The 6 Most Common Mistakes When Applying to Scholarships | ScholarTree
6 Common Mistakes When Applying to Scholarships
The 6 Most Common Mistakes When Applying to Scholarships | ScholarTree