SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID

PHS Guidance Scholarship and Financial Aid Slideshow

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO START YOUR SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH:

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

1. Finding scholarships takes time and dedication! Be prepared to do lots of planning and research.
2. Know that YOU find scholarships they rarely find you!
3. Also it is important to know that you will never win a scholarship that you don’t apply for, so go for it!

ONCE YOU BEGIN:

1. Fill out this Brag Sheet – this is a place for you to start to gather information about yourself in one place that will help you complete your Scholarship applications.  It is required for you to fill out  for the Scholarships that require PHS Nominations.
2. Create a folder (paper and digital) that includes:
   – Reference Letters
   – Previous Applications
   – Essays
   – Completed Forms
   – Awards Won
   – Academic History and Report Cards
3. Check timelines carefully!
   – It is important to note that scholarships are due throughout the year and will have a range of due dates.  Be aware that if you require any type of school endorsement or a reference letter,
   this needs to be brought to the attention of your reference at least TWO WEEKS prior to the scholarship due date.
4. Track all scholarships you apply for and keep a record of the date you submitted, contact information and any other relevant details to help with your tracking. 

LET THE SEARCH BEGIN!!

•  Scholarships Requiring School Nominations – these are prestigious awards at a variety of schools across Canada. As a school we are only allowed to nominate a certain number of individuals. Read through it, see what awards apply to you and be aware of the timelines.
  

• The PHS General Scholarship Application is a way for you to apply for Preston specific awards for Commencement.  This will open after March Break in 2026.  The form must be filled out by  Friday April 3, 2026 by 11:59pm. Preview the PHS General Scholarship Application Questions on the application first.  There are awards for everyone to apply – please be sure to apply!
• Useful External Sites for Scholarships – these sites have links to many different scholarships that are worth looking into 
  • Studentscholarships.org
  • Scholartree.ca
  • Waterloo Region District School Board Scholarships
  • Check out The Scholarship Report and The Trades Report posted on the PHS Class of 20– Google Classroom

OSAP Links:

• osap.ca is the government site where you will find the application when it comes out in May 20xx.  Create an OSAP Account.
• OSAP aid estimator is a way of seeing a rough estimate on how much money you might qualify for through OSAP.
• Financial Aid Offices – each college and university sites has a financial aid office where they are able to answer questions about OSAP if you run into trouble

 

Categories: Guidance