Scholarship Guide

General Information
Students are advised to check the Daily Student Bulletin and the Awards Bulletin Board at their school regularly for updated  information, as new scholarships are announced frequently.

Application Process
Detailed scholarship information and application forms can be found in the Counselling Department at each high school. Applications for specific scholarships are available from the Scholarship Coordinator.

Students should complete the following general application to qualify for a number of awards, detailed within the form:

 

CCSD General Application with List of Awards (Electronic Version)

 

Other Applications:
Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth Scholarship
ENMAX Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) Scholarship Application
ENMAX Environmental Scholarship Application 
Kerry Dyte Educational Scholarship
Mary Ngo Family Bursary
St. Pius X Scholarship
Calgary Italian Sportswomen’s Dinner Association
Violet Richardson Award

Please remember that incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications are usually not accepted beyond the specified deadlines. Remember that dates are subject to change and it is the student’s responsibility to confirm these well in advance. Some deadlines refer to "posted by" a certain date other providers want "received by" a certain date.

Do not leave scholarship applications to the last minute. Most are quite complex and involve portfolios, letters of recommendation and summary data. Plan to work a minimum of one to two hours on each application. Keep copies of all your applications as similar requests may be made on other scholarship forms.

Most scholarship applications require a Social Insurance Number. Apply for a SIN now if you do not have one.


Scholarship Information on the Internet

Check the following websites for other Canadian scholarship information:

Alberta Learning Information Services
Alexander Rutherford Scholarships for High School Achievement
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
The Calgary Foundation
The KCCFA Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship
The Miller Thomson Foundation
The Paul Pawel Pawlicki Memorial Award
Scholarships Canada
St. Mary's University College
St. Peter's CWL Education Bursary
Student Awards

  • Beware of scholarship websites requiring payment for information. The above sites are free, up-to-date and contain comprehensive information on Canadian awards.
  • After registering at a specific site, check the information regularly. Most sites notify you when a new scholarship you qualify for comes online.
  • Update your information. Any change in your status (for example, your grades improve, you decide on a different college) may create a change in the scholarships available to you.


Definitions of Award Types

Please note: For information purposes only. The CCSD does not assume responsibility for awards that are not directly given under its jurisdiction.

Scholarships and bursaries are awarded based on several criteria. The most common are academic achievement, citizenship qualities and financial need. Some awards are based on one, two or all three criteria. The following descriptions will be helpful in determining your eligibility: 
 
Academic Achievement refers to your overall final average or, in some instances, your final mark in a particular group of subjects.
 
Citizenship Qualities takes into consideration your extracurricular activities, both in and out of school (e.g. clubs, teams, organizations) and your overall contribution to the school.
 
Financial Need is based on a family’s ability to contribute financially to further education.

Scholarship 
A scholarship is a monetary award given to a student primarily on the basis of academic standing. Leadership and citizenship are often considered. 
 
Bursary 
A Bursary is a monetary award given to a student who has attained a certain level of achievement and is in need of financial assistance to continue their education. 
 
Prize 
A prize is given in recognition of some specific superior accomplishment. Prizes may be in the form of such things as books, plaques, subscriptions or money. 
 
Loans/Grants 
A loan is advanced on the understanding that the money will be repaid upon the completion of one’s studies. The federal and provincial governments both provide student loan plans. Some financial institutions also offer student loan plans.


Tips for Students Seeking Letters of Recommendation

  1. Confirm with your referee(s) that they are comfortable in providing you with a letter of reference.
  2. Give the referee(s) all the pertinent information regarding the scholarship for which you are applying.
  3. Give the referee(s) a written list of your accomplishments from which they may choose to improve the reference. Organize this list according to the criteria required for scholarship application.
  4. Indicate whether your referee(s) should address the letter "To Whom It May Concern" or to a specific person. Indicate the exact address and include a stamped envelope if the referee is to mail the letter directly.
  5. DO NOT ASK FOR A REFERENCE TO BE READY THE SAME DAY. Give the referee time to do the job well – two weeks if possible.


Tips on Reporting Community or Extracurricular Involvement

  1. List the organizations, teams, clubs or agencies in which you participated/volunteered.
  2. Include information about the length and nature of your involvement (e.g., coached twice weekly for six months).
  3. Specify leadership or organizational responsibilities.


Tips for Scholarship Applications

  • Be neat and, where possible, type your responses.
  • Organize your application when presenting information. Think of appropriate categories of organization such as academic merit, leadership experience, extracurricular commitments, personal strengths or financial need.
  • Provide only data that is required for the application. Do not pad your form with extraneous unrelated detail.
  • Use dynamic and appropriate language that is clear, assertive and succinct.