Bouncing Back: What to Do When You Miss Out on a Scholarship
A Canadian education these days come with a high price tag, and it’s not just the tuition we’re talking about. Going to a college or university means shelling out tons of money on books and course materials, groceries, meals, rent, extracurriculars, gas (if via personal car) or transit passes (if via public transport), and the occasional entertainment expenses (going to the cinemas, etc.).
It’s no surprise why students look into other resources to fund their education, such as scholarships and bursaries, especially if they don’t have a Registered Education Savings Plan or RESP. Unfortunately, not everyone who tries their hand at applying for a scholarship will get it for a number of reasons. However, while a rejection is disappointing, a setback is only temporary. You can still bounce back and utilize other ways to fund the education you’ve got your heart set on. Read more below for these other methods.
Apply for a student loan.
While it’s yesterday’s news the student loan system cause concerns–according to a study by the Canadian Federation of Students, the average time a Canadian is able to pay off a student loan is 10 years–a student loan is still one of the most reliable ways to continue on with your college or university education. It’s just a matter of choosing the right one that fits your needs. Take your time and carefully look into the different types of loans such as government school loan programs and provincial and territorial school loans, and go for the one that best suits you.
Make a request to your employer.
If you’re working a part-time job, talk to your employer about lending you a hand through a loan or tuition assistance. It helps if you have a spotless record with them as it shows you’re a dedicated and hardworking employee. However, don’t be easily discouraged. Even if you haven’t been exactly a good candidate for Employee of the Year, it wouldn’t hurt to ask and your employer might actually yes despite not having a stellar record of employment. In addition, some companies also help pay off student loan debts for their employees, so this is something to consider as well.
Look into other colleges or universities or a community college.
It’s tough to not be able to study at the college or university of your choice, but going with a different institution can be another option instead of deferring for another year. However, you can always work for a year, save up, and get exactly what you want. A community college education can still help fulfil the requirements for many general education classes at a low cost and most have transferrable credits. Another alternative is to look into other institutions that offer tuition fees where you don’t have to shell out your entire savings such as Lakehead University where you can study for free for the entire year provided you graduated high school with an academic average of 95 percent.
Review your application and spot areas of improvement.
This approach is probably the most difficult one out of the ones here, but it’s also the most necessary approach. It’s helpful to retrace your steps and find out where you can improve. Doing this will give you a clear idea of the aspects for enhancement so next time an opportunity comes along, you’ll be ready. For example, the recommendation letters you submitted may leave much to be desired or weren’t strong enough. To resolve this in the future, ensure that you build a solid network and always give your 100% in every task assigned to you, whether it’s volunteer work at the shelter or your part-time job as a barista at the swanky coffee shop at a strip mall.
Missing out on the scholarship you’ve worked so hard to apply to is upsetting, but remember that there are alternatives so you won’t miss out on your education.
SOURCES:
https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/solutions/student-advice/repaying-student-loans/
https://www.macleans.ca/education/the-cost-of-a-canadian-university-education-in-six-charts/
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