If you think the AU Student Union’s new online process for undergraduate scholarship, award, and bursary applications is going to make this fall’s application easier, you’re right! But if you think “easier” means you can wait until the deadline of November 1 to begin work on your application, you may be overly optimistic.

Don’t wait until the November 1 deadline. The new online application process, which went live in late September, does make it easier than ever to apply for an AUSU award. No longer will students have to print out the application, complete forms by hand, then scan and e-mail their application. However, the new online applications still require the usual advance preparation.

Below is an outline of what steps students can expect to take before reaching for the “submit application” button on the bottom of the online application form:

Identify which scholarships/bursaries you are eligible for. Start at the Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries page of AUSU’s website. Click on each award in the list to open a brief summary of the purpose and eligibility requirements for each award. Applications are being accepted until the November 1 deadline for the Academic Achievement Scholarships (2 x $1000), Balanced Student Awards (2 x $1000), AUSU Bursaries (5 x $1000), Returning Student Awards (2 x $1000), and Student Service Awards (2 x $1000). Applications are accepted year-round for Computer, Travel, or Emergency Bursaries.

Review the application form. Once you’ve identified which award(s) you’re eligible for, click the “apply now” button to open up the application form. Select your chosen award from the drop down list. Carefully read through the detailed application requirements, which are different for each award type.

Perform a “dry run” through the application. Starting with the “Personal Information” section, begin filling out the application. Even though you can’t save a partially-completed application, performing a trial run?filling out the required fields and answering the eligibility questions?serves two important purposes. First, filling out each field will help you identify information you need to gather before finalizing your application. Second, the form is dynamic and answers you provide to some questions populate the form with additional fields. Before abandoning your partially-completed application, you may want to print it out to use as reference while you gather the remaining information. (Don’t click “submit application” until you’re sure your application is fully complete!)

Assemble all your information. Before you attempt to fully complete and submit your application, you’ll need everything ready. Gather any information you didn’t have during your dry run, and compose any longer answers, such as essay questions (you can compose longer answers in a Word document and later copy the text into the application form.) In addition to the information required on the form itself, most applications require you to upload your AU transcript (instructions to obtain an AU transcript are on the application.) Some scholarship applications may require you to upload a letter of reference, tax information, or other documents?you have to obtain these before preparing your application.

Complete and submit the application form. Pick a time and place in which you can work without distractions. Re-read the application requirements, then carefully fill out all required fields. Upload your (previously saved) AU transcript and any other required documents. Before hitting the “submit application” button, carefully proofread your application?this is your last chance to correct errors. Read and confirm the Declaration of Applicant, then click “Submit Application.” You’ll receive an email confirmation at the address you provided on the form.

Scholarship applications that are incomplete or improperly completed will be “destroyed upon receipt.” To avoid having your efforts wasted, it’s advisable for students to spend some time looking over the application and its requirements well in advance of the deadline. Then, once you’ve gathered all the information and supporting documents required, you can go online to complete and submit the application form. If you have any questions about the application requirements or experience difficulty filling out the online form, contact the AUSU office at admin@ausu.org or 1-855-497-7003, extension 2.

There is over $10,000 in AUSU awards available in this application period. With its new online award application system, AUSU is making it even easier for you to apply for AUSU scholarships, awards, and bursaries.

(Don’t forget to also check out the Student Awards page at Athabasca University for other student awards!)

There is over $10,000 in AUSU awards available in this application period. With its new online award application system, AUSU is making it even easier for you to apply for AUSU scholarships, awards, and bursaries.

(Don’t forget to also check out the Student Awards page at Athabasca University for other student awards!)

Barbara Lehtiniemi is a writer, photographer, and AU student. She lives on a windswept rural road in Eastern Ontario. Follow Barbara on twitter @ThereGoesBarb.