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The deadline to hand in local or internal scholarship/bursary packages to the counselling secretary is for the week before spring break. Specific time and date will be set early in the new year.
At Kelsey, there are two kinds of scholarships and bursaries, called “Local” and “Non-Local”. In general, bursaries are presented on the basis of citizenship and the need for financial assistance, scholarships on academic achievement and community leadership.
Local scholarships and bursaries are available to students attending FKSS, or sometimes to students from one of the other secondary schools in our district. All students will be guided through the local application process in their CLC 12 class. Local scholarships and bursaries will all have the same due date in March.
Non-local scholarships and bursaries are available to students attending FKSS, and sometimes to students throughout Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada or even world-wide. Non-local scholarships and bursaries arrive all year long. Each non-local scholarship and bursary will have its own due date. As non-local scholarships and bursaries arrive, information will be posted on the MS Office Grad Team in the Non-Local Scholarships and Bursaries channel. Grads should check this regularly. If you require help with your academic resume, please see the Career Centre staff.
The Step by Step Process:
1. Fill out the Letter of Reference Request and present to your two or three selected referees/teachers along with the Teacher-Letter-of-Recommendation-Form.
- Make a copy for practice/rough draft
- Make sure all the information is correct and neatly written
- Select your referees carefully. Your advisor, a teacher of the subject area you are most interested in pursuing, your counsellor, an administrator, a sponsor of a club, team activity etc., a community person with whom you have worked or volunteered, and/or your employer are all reasonable choices.
- Always ask them personally, give them a copy of your resume (even if it is only a draft copy) and allow them at least one week to complete it.
- If you use a community person, always ask for their permission to photocopy it to use for several scholarships applications.
2. Fill out the FRANCES KELSEY SECONDARY APPLICATION FORM (fillable PDF but print out and sign) necessary for each scholarship or bursary.
3. Create a Covering letter
Cover Letter Sample– an example of a scholarship cover letter AND Cover Letter Sample 2 with Annotations to help you understand the “whys”
Also, some very good examples and templates for resumes and cover letters at Myblueprint.ca
- Should be word-processed. You may use special paper, but try to stay conservative.
- Can be addressed to either the people personally or a general “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Scholarship Chairperson”.
- Approximately 3-4 paragraphs: Introduce yourself and state your educational plans and goals, tell what you have been involved with in the last four years (clubs, courses, activities…), and state your specific reasons for applying for this scholarship including personal reasons of financial need and why it would be helpful to you
- In your letter, try to be personal yet specific, proud of your achievements, show understanding of the criteria for the award, be neat and presentable.
4. Complete/Update your Resume
Click on the academic resume sample for an example
A great tool is found by using Microsoft Word. Select File, then New, then Resume Wizard/Templates. Follow the instructions and input your information (keep your purpose in mind when selecting the style/type of resume to create). Remember the following:
- The Resume should be 1 to 3 pages long
- Always start with your goal or your educational plans
- Include the schools you have attended and when
- Include any academic/school awards
- Include any clubs, activities, teams etc. you have belonged to
- Include your community involvement
- Include any work experience, jobs etc. you have had
- List any other areas of interest, skills, achievements
- List the 3 people you will ask for letters of reference including their address and phone number
- Always start with the most recent activities, dates, etc. and work backwards. Usually going back to grade 9 is sufficient.
The qualities that most scholarship committees look for: enthusiasm, teamwork, character, hard work, purpose, ability to overcome obstacles, community service, perseverance and responsibility.
5. Obtain a Transcript of marks
- Request the number of transcripts you require from Norma in the Counselling Office by March 1st. Make sure it is as current as possible and all the information on it is correct including your address. (DO NOT PRINT TRANSCRIPTS FROM STUDENT TRANSCRIPT SERVICE because until you graduate at the end of June a default Ministry message is printed on the transcript “student has not graduated”.
6. Put the package together for photocopying and/or submission, in the following order:
- application form
- cover letter
- resume
- transcripts
- letters/checklists of reference
**Remember to hand in a Master List of the Bursaries/Scholarships that you are applying for with your packages. The list should include your name and the name and number only of the bursaries/scholarships that you are applying for. This list is strictly for office use. DEADLINE: to hand in completed packages is by NOON on the Friday before spring break.