Have you applied for an AUSU scholarship yet? The deadline for the current award period is May 1, only days away. don’t let these ships sail without you!
AUSU holds two scholarship periods each year, during which students can apply for five award types. Additionally, AUSU accepts applications year-round for three types of bursaries.
Full information on each award, including application requirements, can be found on the Scholarship, Awards & Bursaries page of AUSU’s website. Below is a quick overview of each.
Here’s a look at what’s up for grabs May 1st:
Academic Achievement Scholarships (two awards of $1000 each available). Awarded to applicants with the highest GPA over the last 30 credits. You’re not competing against all other undergrad students, just those who bother to apply. Applying is easy?fill out basic information on the online form, and attach a copy of your AU transcript preview. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 30 AU credits. You may receive this award only once.
Balanced Student Awards (two awards of $1000 each available). Recognizes students who juggle their AU studies with other commitments, such as work or family. Application requirements include a short essay (maximum 500 words), a copy of your AU transcript preview, and at least two letters of reference. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 12 AU credits and have a GPA of at least 2.00. You may receive this award only once.
Returning Student Awards (two awards of $1000 each available). Recognizes the challenges faced by students returning to post-secondary education after some time away, or who are beginning their studies later in life. Application requirements include a short essay (maximum 500 words) and a copy of your AU transcript preview. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 12 AU credits and have a GPA of at least 2.00. You may receive this award only once.
Student Service Awards (two awards of $1000 each available). Recognizes students who volunteer their time in their community or to AU or AUSU. Application requirements include a short essay (no maximum word limit), a copy of your AU transcript preview, and?if you are nominating yourself?at least one reference letter from a volunteer supervisor. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 12 AU credits and have a GPA of at least 2.00. You may receive this award only once.
General Bursaries (five bursaries of $1000 available). Assistance for students demonstrating financial need and/or facing “exceptional life circumstances.” Application requirements include detailed financial information, a copy of your previous year’s income tax assessment notice, and a copy of your AU transcript preview. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 12 AU credits and have a GPA of at least 2.00. You may receive this bursary only once in a 12-month period.
Applications are accepted year-round for the following three bursaries:
Computer Bursaries (eight awards annually; value varies). Assists students demonstrating financial need who need a computer for their course work. Recipients of this award receive a computer purchased by AUSU, with a maximum value of $900. Application requirements include detailed financial information, a copy of your previous year’s income tax assessment notice, and a copy of your AU transcript preview. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 12 AU credits and have a GPA of at least 2.00. You may receive this award only once.
Emergency Bursaries (up to $700 maximum per student per year; limited to annual fund of $4600). Assists students demonstrating financial need with course extension and supplemental exam fees necessitated by “unforeseen circumstances.” Application requirements include detailed financial information, a copy of your previous year’s income tax assessment notice, and a copy of your AU transcript preview. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 12 AU credits and have a GPA of at least 2.00. You may apply for this award more than once, but may not receive more than $700 per fiscal year.
Travel Bursaries (up to $1000 each; limited to annual fund of $4000). Assists students demonstrating financial need with travel related to their AU studies, including travel to AU convocation. AUSU will make and pay for travel arrangements for recipients of this bursary. Application requirements include detailed financial information, a copy of your previous year’s income tax assessment notice, a copy of your AU transcript preview, and documents demonstrating need for travel. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 12 AU credits and have a GPA of at least 2.00. You may receive this bursary only once in a 12-month period.
Completing a scholarship application takes time and preparation, and That’s exactly why It’s worth it. Because so few students bother to apply, your chances of success are greater. Only eight students applied for the two Student Service Awards last November, for example. The award with the highest number of applications was the Academic Achievement Award with 62 applications, which are still good odds.
For tips on completing AUSU’s online award application form, check out this Voice article from October 16, 2015, “AUSU’s New Online Awards Applications.”
With only days left before the May 1 deadline, you’d better get to work on your application before the AUSU scholarships sail without you.
Barbara Lehtiniemi is a writer, photographer, and AU student. She lives on a windswept rural road in Eastern Ontario. Follow Barbara on twitter @ThereGoesBarb.