Imagine your child opening the mail and finding a check for thousands of dollars, making their dream of attending their top-choice university a reality.
You may be worried about whether your child's academic credentials merit a scholarship, but financial incentives like these aren’t just for students with perfect grades or from privileged backgrounds.
There are opportunities for students from all walks of life. From volunteers to athletes, from creators to budding scientists, there are scholarships out there to support your child’s unique path.
In this guide, we’ll debunk some common myths about scholarships and outline the application process.
We know what works, which is how we’ve successfully helped thousands of students win millions of dollars in scholarship funding to attend their top-choice schools.
Get ready as we’ll break down the types of scholarships available, reveal often-overlooked eligibility requirements, and guide you through the application process.
Unlocking scholarship opportunities is easier than you think.
Scholarship Availability in Canada
Scholarships help provide relief from financial costs associated with attending university, including tuition fees and living expenses.
In Canada, students from all backgrounds can access a broad range of funding opportunities.
Here are the main types of scholarships students can apply for in Canada:
Merit-Based Scholarships: Awarded to students based on grades, extracurriculars, or other specific criteria.
Need-Based Scholarships & Bursaries: Awarded to students who demonstrate financial need according to the scholarship’s metrics (family income, household size, etc.).
Athletic Scholarships: Awarded by some universities with sports programs to students
who demonstrate a high level of athletic acumen. These awards may cover tuition, living expenses, and more.
Creative Scholarships: Awarded to students who demonstrate creative endeavours. Students should expect to submit writing samples, music, art, or other materials depending on the opportunity.
Other Scholarships: Scholarship opportunities in Canada include a wide range of unique scholarships, with eligibility criteria ranging from cultural background to religious activities and political affiliation.
There is no limit to how many scholarships your child can win, so be sure to explore all of your options.
Where to Find Scholarships
Now that you know just how many scholarships are out there, how do you find them?
Research alone can be very time-consuming if you aren’t strategic, and that goes double for the application process.
Here are some of the most effective ways to find scholarships:
Online Databases
Database websites like ScholarshipsCanada, Yconic, and UniversitiesCanada are
great places to start. Use their advanced filters to sort through the options and find the most suitable awards.
Guidance Counselors
Your child's high school guidance counselor likely knows about scholarships that students have successfully been awarded in the past and may have local connections to introduce students to lesser-known opportunities.
Community Organizations
Many local businesses, community groups, and cultural organizations offer scholarships to students who fit their criteria. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, or your child's ethnic or religious community organizations.
Workplace Scholarships
Some businesses offer scholarships to their employees or their children. If your child has a part-time job, or if your workplace offers such incentives, don’t forget to explore them.
Education Consultants
Education consultants can help identify the best-fit scholarships for your child’s unique profile and experiences. Plus, they’ll be able to help you put together a winning application.
To find out how AdmissionPrep.com can help with scholarship funding, fill in our Program Assessment Quiz today. By doing so, you’ll also be able to pre-qualify your child for our admissions guarantee to their top-choice schools.
Tips for a Winning Scholarship Application
The application process requires care to ensure your child properly demonstrates their suitability.
After identifying scholarships that are a good fit for your child, apply strategically in batches.
Be sure to follow these tips to make the application process as smooth as possible:
1. Do your research: Make sure you know the eligibility requirements, deadlines, and criteria before starting the application. Prioritize the most promising scholarships and work your way down the list.
2. Gather your documents: Most scholarships will ask for the same materials, including transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation. Gather multiple copies of these documents to streamline the process.
3. Tell a compelling story: Many scholarships require an essay where the student can share their thoughts on a prompt or explain why they deserve the award. This is a
chance to showcase their authenticity by exploring their interests, personality, and goals. Prepare ahead by brainstorming all relevant experiences and connecting them to the mission and values of the party awarding the scholarship. An engaging story will always beat out a boring list of achievements.
4. Get expert support: It’s not easy trying to navigate the entire process alone, especially without experience. Recruit expert mentors to help your child polish their application, uncover unknown funding opportunities, and maximize their award potential. It’s an investment that can earn you a great ROI.
Unlocking Funding For Your Child
By now, you should be aware that scholarships are well within reach, even for students who didn’t achieve that perfect 4.0. Putting in the prep work and starting early can significantly enhance your child’s chances of success with scholarships.
Every student deserves to pursue their dreams without the burden of financial stress. That’s why our expert mentors are here to help act as guides throughout the entire process.
We’ll ensure your child has a tailored plan in place not only to maximize their scholarship funding potential, but get into top programs that will pave the way for rewarding careers in the future. Does your child qualify for our admissions guarantee? Pre-qualify your child today by taking our Program Assessment Quiz.
