By: Joanne Farrell, Awards Officer, Loyalist College
A college education is a smart investment in your future. That’s why Loyalist College does everything it can to help students secure the funding they need. Each year, we provide over one million dollars in funding to students through awards, bursaries, scholarships and work study opportunities.
While the award and bursary application process sounds daunting, it’s not. We’re here to help you access and complete the applications, and we provide planning and budgeting assistance.
Bursaries are based on financial need, and scholarships are awarded for academic excellence, so the money received doesn’t have to be paid back like a student loan. One of our most popular awards is the Loyalist College Entrance Scholarship, valued at $2,000. The Entrance Scholarship is awarded to every first-time student who maintained an 85 percent average in grades 11 and 12, regardless of whether they are coming directly from high school or have taken time off since graduating. To be eligible, first-time students must accept the offer of admission by May 1st. If they qualify, the money is applied directly to their account to offset tuition fees. Last year, 43 students received this scholarship.
Students apply for our awards using an online application form. It takes about five minutes to complete, and you can apply for as many as you like. Some students also submit a portfolio highlighting volunteer, work experience, community involvement, and/or certificates or letters of recommendation. With this information, the Awards Committee can better evaluate which student is the best fit for each award, and the applicant has a better chance of receiving the award they deserve. Many service clubs and organizations also offer scholarships, so it’s a good idea to explore your existing connections.
Dionne Shortt, a third-year student in the Biotechnology Technician/Technologist program at Loyalist, received three awards during her first two years of the program, including The Biosciences Faculty Award for excellence in the Biotechnology Technician program; The City of Quinte West – Sidney Ward Bursary based on financial need as a resident of Sidney Ward; and The Carole and George Fletcher Foundation Award sponsored by the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).
“It’s hard to describe how you feel,” said Dionne at the awards ceremony. “It’s a great sense of accomplishment and pride.”
Loyalist hosts three award ceremonies each year, including the undergraduate awards in November, the spring awards in March and presentations at Convocation in June. The majority of the money awarded for scholarships and bursaries comes from The Loyalist College Foundation, private donors, community organizations, as well as industry partners and service clubs.
In addition to bursaries and scholarships, students may also pursue on-campus employment to help pay for their education. Provincially-funded, work study positions allow students to work in positions ranging from Career Peer Assistants and Student Ambassadors to Student Access Lab Assistants and Manufacturing Lab monitors. With the help of the Career Centre, it’s easy for students to find a position that complements their interests and academic schedules, while gaining program-related experience.
Other funding options for students include government loans, which are interest-free during the study period and at a discounted interest rate after graduation. Bank loans and student lines of credit are also available.
Now is the time to apply to start a Loyalist program in September 2013 if you haven’t done so already. On February 1st, we started mailing offers of admission. Some programs fill quickly, so apply early to increase your chances of being accepted to the program of your choice. If you have any questions, please contact me at (613) 969-1913 ext. 2202 or by email at jfarrell@loyalistc.on.ca. Or, click to view our Awards Directory.
Don’t let limited funds prevent you from achieving your personal, career and financial goals. Invest in your future today – We’re here to help you succeed!