There’s more money out there than you might think and more of it is meant for students just like you. Here’s a helpful overview of what you need to know to find and apply for awards, bursaries and scholarships.
DSBN Guidance staff is here to help
Not sure where to start? Your school’s Guidance office will offer tips, resources and supports to assist you. Remember, to do your own research, organize your application and keep up to date with changing criteria and deadlines.
Types of Funding
Know your options
Post-secondary can be funded in several ways and the best strategy is usually a mix. Here’s what each type means.
DID YOU KNOW…
Scholarships are awarded for many reasons
Many students think scholarships are only for straight-A students, but that’s not true. Scholarships are awarded for all kinds of reasons – community involvement, extracurriculars, sports, art contributions and part-time employment can all come into play.
How to get started – your action plan
- Build your record of accomplishments
Start tracking your achievements now – awards, certificates, volunteer hours and community involvement. Don’t wait until Grade 12 to pull this together.
Tip: Use Hour Republic to log your community hours as you go - Keep your resume updated
A current resume that includes part-time employment, volunteering, and activities will save you significant time when applications open. - Register with a scholarship matching website
There are several free websites that will match your profile to available scholarships, saving you hours of searching. - Research at every level
There are scholarships at the school, DSBN, local, provincial, national and post-secondary levels – see below for a breakdown of each. - Give yourself enough time
Strong applications take time, especially when reference letters, essays, or mailed packages are involved. Check whether applications need to arrive by a deadline or post marked by a certain due date.
Tip: Build in extra time for reference letters
Where to look
Five levels of scholarship opportunities
Scholarships exist at every level – from your own school to national competitions. Research them all!
Your School
School-specific scholarships are awarded at graduation and are often donated by a community member or local organization.
DSBN-wide Scholarships
The DSBN community has generous donors who support district-wide scholarships. Your school’s Guidance office will have information on how to access these – many have one candidate per school.
Local Scholarships
Many Niagara businesses, community partners and organizations offer scholarships which you can apply to directly. Some of these are competitions such as essay contests or public speaking competitions which offer financial awards.
Provincial & National Awards
There are numerous awards offered at the provincial and national level – many with significant dollar values. Start your search early.
Post-secondary Institution Scholarships
Most colleges and universities offer entry scholarships and subject/program-specific scholarships. Check directly with your chosen institution – the application process and timing varies by school.
Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information regarding scholarships on this website. It is the responsibility of the student to do research early in order to note deadline changes, revisions to criteria, and so on. Contacting the sponsor directly for the most up-to-date information is recommended.