Free scholarships in toronto star
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Are you Ukrainian? Scottish? Sikh? Perhaps you’re studying to be a flight attendant? Or your parents belong to a union?
Whatever your situation, background, financial need, academic track record, there’s probably a scholarship or bursary out there for you. You’ve just got to know where to look.
For 10 years, scholarshipscanada.com has helped students find cash for school.
With 27,000 scholarship listings (many offering more than one), it may be the most comprehensive database around.
“And it’s free to use,” says CEO Chris Wilkins. “You come on the site and fill out a form that helps us search the database more accurately and then you get a list of scholarships. “In some cases, there are online applications and the site will direct you to it.”
Students can also use a keyword search, such as “photography,” to bring up listings that apply to them.
One of the most common misconceptions among students is that you need to be either a genius or have great financial need to earn a scholarship, Wilkins says.
“We have a total of 57,000 scholarships (including groups that offer more than one). Financial need is required for 15,000 of the 57,000,” he says. “And no academic average is required in 83 per cent of the database.”
A simple Google search will garner thousands of results and other databases. The Ontario School Counsellors’ Association is a good resource. (Did you know Mike Holmes from HGTV has a “Make it Right” bursary for students looking to study residential construction?)
Don’t forget to check in with your college or university’s financial assistance office!
“Determining your needs and having a budget are best done before school starts. Understanding your situation will help you eliminate the unknowns of where your money goes,” says Carolyn Posa, coordinator of student financial assistance at Ryerson University. “If you need help with your budget or if you’re feeling stressed about money, reach out and speak to a financial aid adviser as soon as possible.”
It’s important to check out what kinds of scholarships, awards and bursaries are up for grabs early on. Clubs, athletics, programs — don’t discount any of your connections. But remember, many have early deadlines and require timeconsuming applications. It’s a good idea to bookmark these dates in your day planner — in between the social events, of course.
And if you don’t snag some cash this year, don’t despair. Only 43 per cent of the funds on scholarshipscanada.com are entrance scholarships, says Wilkins.
“The point being you just never know. There’s probably something out there. Log on, do some digging and you’re bound to find something,” he says.