Students across the province are inching closer to the end of the academic year, and for some, the end of their high school years. Many have already decided on their future paths, whether they continue their education or head out into the workforce to gain experience in a trade. But one thing students are not aware of is the amount of free money waiting for them to use for their future in scholarships and bursaries.
Many schools now provide a list of local scholarships or bursaries for which students can apply. While some may require certain criteria to be met, many of these funding opportunities are squandered away because students don’t think they would meet the criteria or have a chance at getting it.
According to ScholarshipsCanada.com, more than 115,000 scholarships were available to students in 2024, an increase of 24 per cent since 2022. This meant more than $331 million in financial aid was available to graduates last year, with more than $20 million going unclaimed or having no applicants.
Many common misconceptions about scholarships and bursaries include essays, specific fields of study and having a required academic average of over 80 per cent. While some providers do ask for some of these requirements, it is becoming more evident that scholarship providers are easing up on them. As of 2024, half of the scholarships available on ScholarshipsCanada.com did not require a specific field of study, 87.1 per cent did not require an academic average and 19 per cent of scholarships did not require an application.
So, how does a student find the right financial aid for themselves? A quick search on the internet can be quite overwhelming. There are some websites out there to help with the search, but sometimes just taking the time to see what is in your community is a start. Many students don’t think to apply for fear of rejection, but I will tell you this: the providers want to give you this money. If an application says they want a certain average, but you are short by a couple of points, apply. If they have no other applicants putting their name in, you may end up receiving the money.
Although many scholarships and bursary applications have deadlines in March and April of each year, there is still time for students to apply for next year, even for those who will be finishing their first year of post-secondary education. While 29 per cent of scholarships are designated for students entering their first year, the majority of scholarships (46.3 per cent) are available for students entering any year of study.
Then there are scholarships for students in financial need. These often look at the income levels of the student or their family. Depending on the sponsor, students from low-income homes may be more likely to get sponsorship than those who come from a home with a higher income level. Again, take the time to investigate what you can be eligible for.
Filling out scholarships and bursary applications may not sound very fun, but taking the time to fill out the applications may help with some major costs related to post-secondary education. For any applications that may require an essay, simplify the task by having some key points you want to address in your submission. You know your story better than anyone else, so make yourself shine on paper.
Above all, don’t stress about the future. Make sure to take the time to enjoy the last year at home, with your grade school friends, the clubs and sports you joined. Take heed of all the advice your favourite teachers have given you and reminisce on the first time you walked your high school hallways. Know that all the hard work you have put forth over the past few years is coming to an end and be proud of yourself as you leave behind the safety of school for the adventure of a lifetime.
