6 Simple Steps to Getting a Scholarship or Bursary in Canada

Want free money to fund your education? Then it’s time to take a closer look into how to find (and win) a scholarship for college and university in Canada. A scholarship or bursary can considerably ease the burden of funding your education so you can study stress-free and achieve your career goals and dreams. 

But how do you get one? Here are 6 tips to get you started – 

1. Get Good Grades in School

Scoring excellent grades in high school (or undergrad school if you plan to do a master’s course) is the first step to getting a scholarship or bursary. As you already know, deserving candidates with good grades get rewarded with educational funding when they pursue their studies further.

2. Use Family Ties

You’ve lost jobs to nepotism, now it’s time to use it to your advantage. Make a list of the companies that the members of your family work for. A lot of major companies (Tim Hortons, for example) offer scholarships and bursaries to the spouses and family members of their staff.

3. Think Local

Do a Google search to look for local businesses in your area that might be offering scholarships and bursaries. Smaller, less visible opportunities yield a better chance of getting them.

4. Read the Terms Carefully

If you see an ad for a scholarship or bursary, read it carefully. They’re telling you exactly what you need to do to get it. If they say they want an essay about your past, don’t focus your essay on what you hope to do in the future. Don’t lose thousands of dollars to someone who followed their instructions more carefully.

5. Always Apply

Never pass on an opportunity because you think too many other people will apply for it. It doesn’t cost you anything to try and your efforts might pay for a semester or two of school.

6. Don’t Wait

Don’t leave your application to the last minute. You don’t want your efforts to come across as rushed or poorly thought out. Again, this might be worth thousands of dollars. Take the time to do it right. So your chances of bagging one increase. 

Types of Scholarships or Bursaries To Choose From

When it comes to the types of scholarships available, you’re spoilt for choice. Let’s take a look at a few of them below 

Entrance Scholarships 

Offered by colleges and universities to freshers who join each year, the amount you receive can vary from a couple of hundred dollars to a sum that covers your entire course. These are awarded purely on academic merit.

High school scholarships 

You might not know this but your high school (or school district) may offer scholarships to a few chosen meritorious students. These are great as you don’t have to compete with too many people to get them.

External Scholarships 

The most widely available type of scholarship, these are doled out by third-party organizations to disadvantaged or deserving students.

Scholarships can also be classified as federal and provincial scholarships. Of course, each of these scholarships has its own eligibility criteria and selection process. 

Apart from these, you can also try for affiliate scholarships. As for bursaries, each province has its own programs so it’s best to find out what your provincial government offers in that regard. Otherwise, you can always fall back on federal funding