The Scholarship Hunt
When Should I Start Looking for Scholarships?
One of the most common questions I get from students and parents is: “When should I start looking for scholarships?” The short answer: yesterday!
Scholarship and bursary research can be time-consuming, but it’s 100% worth the effort. This is not something you want to leave until your senior year of high school. Ideally, you should start building your scholarship portfolio as early as grade 9, accumulating experiences that will set you apart later. Scholarships are available 365 days a year.
Every year in Ontario, millions of dollars in scholarships and bursaries go unclaimed. According to Scholarships Canada, 1 in 20 awards are unsubscribed. And here’s a myth-buster: not all awards are for students with perfect grades. Scholarships are awarded for a range of achievements, and include but are not limited to the following categories:
Financial need
Merit or academic excellence
Extra-curricular involvement
Athletics or arts
Community engagement
Unique life experiences or circumstances
The key is to accumulate experiences and track them carefully. Volunteer, coach, take on leadership roles, explore new interests, work, and learn outside the classroom. Keep a running record of these activities—include dates, contacts, and a note about what you learned or the impact you made. This will save time and stress when applications open.
Scholarship applications vary: some require essays, portfolios, reference letters, or interviews, while others are simple entrance forms. Starting early gives you the time to research broadly, create a master list of potential awards, and learn from past winners. What made them stand out? What kinds of experiences did they have?
The good news: there’s a scholarship or bursary out there for every student—you just have to start searching and preparing early. Your future self will thank you!
