The Art of Winning Canadian Scholarships
Jenna Tenn-Yuk
Scholarships Won:
- Carleton Prestige Scholarship $7, 500 x 4 years ($30,000)
- Miller Thomson Scholarship $1,000
- United Achievers' Scholarship $1,000
- Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations Essay Contest $500
"Oh no! University is coming up and I don't know how I will ever be able to finance my education. It's so expensive and the costs continue to rise! How will I find over $10, 000 to fund my university experience? Is there any hope for me?" If you can, in any way, relate to this situation, then you are a lot like me and you are definitely not alone. Many high school students entering post secondary studies have these thoughts circling their minds and it can be very overwhelming if you don't do anything about it. So, take a deep breath and I will take you through my experience.
Starting off, just being a gr. 12 high school student is difficult enough. Parents, teachers, guidance counselors and the whole world are bombarding you with thoughts such as, "Well, you know university is coming upŠwhich one are you going to? What do you want to be? This is one of the most important times of your life and you have to make sure that you make the right choices. You can't be that career, you will make no money." I think you catch my drift and many times, I sat down and cried, afraid of never amounting to anything. At 17 years of age, who really knows what they want to be in life? Simply choosing a university is difficult enough, let alone having to worry about the costs.
Pondering and thinking about the "finish line" at hand, I thought of how I was going to get there. My parents have always been very supportive of me and I knew that university was the only option for me, and of course, would not be free. I began to question my parents if they had enough money to send both my brother and I to university at the same time and the reply was always, "Don't worry, we'll find the money." No parent wants to deny their child the opportunity of post secondary studies, but I realized that my parents were in no position to finance my studies without dramatically altering their current financial situation. The opportunity to earn a scholarship gave me hope that I could lessen the financial burden on my parents and it simply wouldn't be fair if I couldn't help them out in some way.
Like many other high school students, I signed up to websites such as scholarshipscanada.com and studentawards.com, hoping that I could win a scholarship. However, when at list of over 100 different scholarships "matched" my qualifications, I was extremely overwhelmed. I began to put myself down and think, "How could I possibly apply to all of these and what's the point? I will never win!" I needed something more sufficient and this was only going to get me so far. As I kept searching for some help, I came across a scholarship counselor by the name of Pat Chacha. I looked around her site and she seemed pretty good. As well, she had helped other students win scholarships and she was a woman of God, so I figured that a Christian woman would definitely not deceive me!
However, convincing my parents was a different story. They were very skeptical and didn't think a woman off the Internet could really help me. They figured that it may be a scam and she would just take my money. After getting really upset, I told them, "You know what? I'm trying to help fund my studies! I don't know what else to do! I'm so stressed out and it's such a difficult time for me. Please, just let me do this. $100 seems like a lot of money now, but if this woman can help me, then that money will seem like pennies!" With my persistence, I finally convinced them, and lo and behold, Pat came through. She came to my house and gave me the missing link that I was missing all along she gave me guidance. She sat me down and we worked through my strengths and weaknesses, and worked on catering my strengths to earn scholarships. She helped me start some initiatives such as, "Baskets For Single Teen Mom's" and a children's community choir, which were extremely rewarding experiences. It seemed like a lot of work at first, but in the end, everything fell into place.
With her help, guidance and encouragement, along with my tireless work ethic and determination, I managed to win a few scholarships. I won Carleton's Prestige Scholarship, The Miller Thomson Scholarship, United Achievers' Scholarship and The Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations Essay Contest. Looking back on this past year and experiencing everything from emotions of stress, confusion, anger and happiness, I know that I could have never done any of this without the help of Pat. She told me that I was in good shape in terms of my grades, extracurricular and community involvement, but I simply needed to do more in order to separate myself from everyone else and above all, I needed guidance; someone to lead me along the way. Pat has been a godsend to my family and I, and I am truly blessed to have a met someone like her. My "skeptical" parents loved her the moment she walked through the door, bringing faith, kindness and her Jamaican upbringing, which went well with our Jamaican background.
My main advice for any of you is to GET INVOLVED early in extracurricular activities and especially, in the community. It is a great way to meet people, very rewarding and it looks fabulous on a resume. As well, starting initiatives yourself and showing your leadership qualities is very important, but remember, we are still part of one army, the Lord's. If I could do it all over again and know the things that I know, I would have started much sooner and found Pat earlier. However, I didn't think of these things until my gr. 12 year, so if you're in the same boat as me, there is absolutely hope, so don't give up. There are many ways to fund university and if I could win a scholarship, you definitely can with hard work and perseverance.
Earning a scholarship is not merely a financial reward, rather it is recognition, a sign of sorts, that my hard work has been worth every drop of sweat, every tear, every moment of frustration, every sacrifice that I've made to be the best I can be. Furthermore, to be able to help out my parents and lessen the financial burden of the costs of university, as well as having them tell me how proud they are of my accomplishments, it is all worth it. This experience has been a dream come true, so take it from meŠstart early and call Pat Chacha as soon as possible! Remember though, "ŠWith God, all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26) Never give up and just believe in yourself, and the fact that it is in God's hands, He will provide your every need, as He has done with me. God Bless.
Gavin Bennett
Scholarships Won
- Top 20 Under 20 Recipient
- National Millennium Scholarship Recipient
- Jamaican Alumni Association Scholarship Recipient
- Harry Jerome Scholarship Recipient
- United Achievers
- Kingdom Covenant Ministry Scholarship
I am a second year student at McMaster University in the faculty of engineering. I would sincerely like to thank Pat Cha Cha for all of her help in coaching me and preparing me to apply for scholarships. She also assisted me with the interview skills that are necessary for winning these scholarships. With her guidance, I have received over $ 35, 000 in renewable scholarships and bursaries. Scholarships such as these help to offset the high cost of education that students face when attending post secondary institutions. I am now able to better understand the selection criteria judges are looking for, and also understand how to stand out among my peers. With her years of experience, Mrs. Cha Cha has been an essential part of my success in obtaining scholarships and bursaries. I would definitely recommend her services to students who are seriously considering applying for major scholarships and bursaries. Mrs. Cha Cha does a wonderful job teaching self marketing strategies, as well as sessions on how to write captivating scholarship essays.
Thank you Mrs. Cha Cha, for all of your help and motivation.
Julene Chung
Scholarships Won
- H. Carnegie Future Ace, Millennium Excellence award recipient
- Beneficiary of the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Association bursary for the 2004-2005
Working with Destiny Light Services allowed me to see the value of my various experiences, highlighting my leadership abilities and endeavours. It allowed me to gain a fuller understanding of who and what scholarship foundations are looking for. Thus, I was able to strategize which scholarships to apply for and how to formulate my answers. With this new knowledge as a tool , I was able to effectively complete a number of scholarship applications. As a result, I have been selected as a H. Carnegie Future Ace, Millennium Excellence award recipient and a beneficiary of the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Association bursary for the 2004-2005 academic year thus far. I would like to sincerely thank Destiny Light Services, especially Mrs. Chacha, for the genuine concern and support given to my academic and extra-curricular success this year.
Andrea George
Chemical Engineering Graduate
University of Toronto
June 2004 - My name is Andrea George and I am a Chemical Engineering Graduate from the University of Toronto.
Before I began my first year of university, I was very concerned about the costs that would be associated with my education. I realized that scholarships would be one way of lowering these fees. I was very excited when I learned that there was a Scholarship Workshop. I believed that attending this workshop would be crucial to my development.
When I arrived at the workshop, I was greeted warmly and it was very evident that the workers cared as much about my future and education as I did.
The presentations were very useful, and they all had a practical significance. I learned how to write scholarship essays, resumes and cover letters, and how to represent myself at a scholarship interview.
We were provided with insider tips, and 'extras' that would make our scholarship application stand out. There was also group work so we could participate in mock interviews. I found these to be especially beneficial. We each took a turn being interviewed, and the other students critiqued your performance. During this exercise, I was exposed to many of the questions that interviewers typically ask. I was able to practice my responses without the pressure of being in a real interview situation. This also encouraged me to continue practicing with my family members by having them ask me interview questions.
I truly believe that attending the Scholarship Workshop is what enabled me to win the United Achievers' Scholarship and the Deeper Life Christian Ministries Scholarship.
I was able to find out about both scholarships by attending the workshop. Mrs. Chacha and the Scholarship Committee members provided us with scholarship resource books, scholarship leaflets, and a list of websites at which we could search for scholarships. Mrs. Chacha assisted me personally with my scholarship essay by proofreading it and making suggestions. It was this essay that helped me to get the interviews. At each interview, I was asked many of the questions that I had practiced previously during the mock interview.
I am very grateful to Mrs. Chacha and the Scholarship Committee for providing me with the information and practice I needed to win my scholarships. This is an event that I would strongly encourage as many young people as possible to attend. The committee members clearly have our best interests in mind.
Andrea George
Farhan Moosa
Queens University (1st year)
2003 Millenium Provincial Excellence Scholarship Recipient
Pat Chacha has the ability to play an integral role in one's scholarship search. She has a solid understanding of the scholarship process, and has the ability to motivate and lead any applicant to success. Her untiring efforts and knowledge surpass those of many. Pat can be thought of as an inspiration to any applicant, and truly has the ability to fortify one's strengths in a motivational manner. Any scholarship process is incomplete without the aid of Pat Chacha.
Dana Alexander
Computer Science Program (3rd year)
University of Toronto
January 2003 - My name is Dana Alexander and I am currently Computer Science student at the University of Toronto.
I won two scholarships: the INROADS internship and the Dwight Brown Achievement Award.
An interview was mandatory for each scholarship, which is where the Scholarship Workshop came in. The only interview experience I had before I received the scholarships was for a job at a fast food restaurant.
I knew an interview for a scholarship would be very different, so I attended the workshop and learned many valuable tips.
The workshop taught me the importance of being well-dressed for an interview, how to maintain eye contact with the interviewer, the importance of being on time for the interview and several other important facts. Workshop attendees were taught through well organized presentations and interview simulations. The simulations enabled me to overcome my shyness and nervousness. After my scholarship interviews, I was complimented on my eye contact, my confidence and the way I handled the interviewer's questions.
In addition to an interview for the INROADS internship I also had to submit my resume. I had no real experience with resumes, so Mrs. Chacha took the time to help me make a resume that best displayed my skills, work experience and extracurricular activities.
Thanks to Mrs. Chacha's guidance, I got the INROADS internship and worked at IBM for two summers. She has continued to encourage me as I go through the university experience.
I am very grateful to Mrs. Chacha for her help and for teaching the Scholarship Workshop.
Dana Alexander
James Khan (1st year)
McMaster University, Sciences
Winner of "The United Achievers Scholarship" in 2004
James Khan has won in excess of $12, 600 in scholarships
United Achievers Scholarship: $1600
Pat Francis Scholarship: $1000
The Bay Scholarship: $2500
McMaster University Entrance Scholarship: $4000
Queen Elizabeth Scholarship: $3500
Pat Chacha has been greatly beneficial in helping me plan my future and reach my potential.
Up until Grade 12, I was just a student who excelled academically but was not much involved with activities outside the classroom. I was a member of a few clubs and committees but I didn't have the confidence to take leadership in any of these organizations. I would always be passive and let someone else take the next leadership position or let someone else organize the next school event. I never thought of myself as the person organizing events within the school or reaching out into the student body.
However, as soon as I connected with Pat Chacha, she started to guide me and motivate me to become the next leader in my school. Within two months of guidance from Ms. Chacha, I gained enough confidence to start my own fundraising club at my high school, called "Don't Just Sit There". I was the only person in the school's history who founded and was President of their own club. Within this club I organized meetings, developed relationships with various charities, and organized school wide events such as Bake Sales, Pizza Raffles, and an Annual Walk-a-Thon. I had also gained enough motivation from Pat to start my own charity campaign within the community. I started my own Christmas Toy Drive for the children of Regent Park during Christmas 2003. With all the charity events I organized, I helped to raise over $6000 for various charities, including my own.
Pat Chacha also guided me in applying for scholarships and apprenticeship programs. Pat helped me to fill out scholarship applications and scholarship essays by guiding me on what things I should and should not include, helping me build appealing and clear-cut essays, and making sure all my involvement in my community and school appears on the application. With her help on filling out an application and essay, I was selected as 1 of 31 students across Canada to receive an apprentice ship with the Canadian Genetics Disease Network. Through this program, I was able to work in one of Canada's top labs trying to find the gene that causes Breast Cancer.
Ms. Chacha greatly helped me build self-confidence, motivation and leadership skills. Because of their guidance I was able to become a pre-dominate voice among the students and administration. Pat Chacha transforms the students of today, into the leaders of tomorrow.