3) Do your research
One of your first steps towards getting a scholarship should be research.
Knowing how, where and when you can apply for scholarships will reduce your chances of wasting time on applications that won’t lead to anything.
Of course, some scholarships are only offered by certain organizations and at certain times of year; if you want to know what opportunities are available specifically for undergraduate students studying in Canada, start by talking with your school’s financial aid office.
They’re usually the best people to ask about local scholarship programs because they can also advise you on other ways to pay for school.
Many provincial governments also offer grants and bursaries designed exclusively for Canadian residents who attend an accredited institution within their province of residence, for example, Alberta Advanced Education’s Bursary Program.
They’ll typically ask you to provide information about your personal finances, family status, academic record and educational goals before awarding funds as per-need or based on merit.
A number of national awards are open for application all year round (such as the Canadian Scholarship Trust’s Sir Wilfrid Laurier Awards) while others have specific deadlines or parameters that must be met such as the National Science Foundation’s graduate fellowships.
