Overview The Scotiabank Sikh Foundation Scholarship is designed to support exceptional students from the Province of Ontario in pursuing an academic degree at a Canadian University. The purpose of the scholarship is to develop those students who are in need of financial support, and demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and community involvement. In collaboration with Scotiabank, the Sikh Foundation will annually select two deserving candidates, and award each $5,000 in scholarship funding. This Scholarship Kit Contains: How to Complete Your Application Program Outline List of Required Documents Note all key dates in your calendar. Carefully review before submitting your application. Ensure all required documents are provided. Only applications which are fully complete will be considered. How to Complete Your Application 1. Log onto www.sikhscholarshipfoundation.ca to submit your application, including all required documents, no later than March 20, 2014. 2. The application will require you to upload an official transcript of your final Grade 11 marks, and your Grade 12 mid-term marks. If your Grade 12 mid-term marks are unavailable by March 20, 2014, please submit them to the Foundation as soon as they are available, no later than April 1, 2014. They may be submitted to the Foundation at contact@sikhfoundationscholarship.ca 3. Finalists for the scholarship may be interviewed from April 2-5, 2014. 4. Winners of the scholarship will be advised by April 6th, 2014. The scholarship will be presented at the Centennial Gala, to be held on April 19, 2014. 5. Any offer of the scholarship is conditional upon minimum academic requirements being confirmed by an official transcript at the end of the school year, and acceptance into a Canadian university.
Program Outline There are three parts to the Scholarship Program as follows: 1. A post-secondary scholarship of $5,000 per recipient to cover tuition and compulsory fees 2. A potential summer internship opportunity, subject to availability 3. A volunteer opportunity at the Centennial Gala The Scholarship A. Number and Value of the Scholarships Two candidates will be selected annually, and each will receive $5,000 in scholarship funding. The funds will be payable directly to the university institution to cover tuition. Scholarship funding cannot be applied to books or living expenses. B. Eligible Institutions Students may attend any Canadian university that has provincial degree-granting powers. Private institutions are excluded. C. Field of Study There are no restrictions on the program of study or discipline selected by the applicant, providing that courses are taken to satisfy the degree requirements. D. Selection of Scholarship Recipients The selection of the scholarship recipients will be made by an independent, 3-member Selection Committee appointed by the Sikh Foundation of Canada. The Committee will be comprised of representatives from the Sikh Foundation of Canada, Scotiabank, and an independent third party. All decisions made by the Selection Committee are final. Each applicant is evaluated based on the student's demonstrated financial need, academic merit, leadership potential, and the student s involvement in extra-cirricular activities at school and/or in the community (i.e. sports, volunteer activities, employment, family responsibilities, etc.). E. Other Scholarships There is no restriction on the number or amount of other scholarships a recipient may hold.
F. Responsibilities of Scholarship Recipients While in high school, recipients must: G. Payment Attend school full-time, completing each year with a minimum 80% or A average; Graduate from high school and be accepted into a Canadian university. If a student maintains the minimum academic standing of 80%, but is not accepted into a postsecondary institution, the scholarship funding is withdrawn; Remain in good disciplinary standing; Advise the Sikh Foundation of any changes in address and contact information. Tuition fees are paid by the Sikh Foundation directly to the university. Scholarship recipients must submit a statement of fees or invoice from their university in order for the scholarship to be processed. Scholarships are considered income. The university will issue a T4A slip for income tax purposes. The Internship An internship serves as a learning experience, and provides an opportunity for the student to obtain hands-on professional work experience, build confidence, and strengthen employability skills, such as communication, teamwork and time management. The internship opportunity is over and above the scholarship funding, and is an optional component of the program. The Sikh Foundation will make all possible efforts to secure a summer internship position for scholarship recipients, but the offer is subject to availability. Eligibility The applicant must: 1. Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, 2. Be enrolled in, or have completed, Grade 12 in a high school in the Province of Ontario, 3. Have successfully completed Grade 11 with a minimum average of 80%, and have a midterm Grade 12 minimum average of 80%. Children of employees/board members of the Sikh Foundation of Canada and Scotiabank are not eligible to apply. Applicants are selected on the basis of: Financial need Academic excellence Leadership potential Community involvement (i.e. sports, volunteer activities, employment, family responsibilities, etc.)
List of Required Documents The Application Form is available at www.sikhfoundationscholarship.ca. To be considered, applicants must upload the following components to their online application, with the exception of Reference Letters, which are required to be sealed and mailed-in. Applications are due March 20, 2014. Only applications that are fully complete will be considered. Late applications will not be accepted. a. Personal Statement A personal statement of 500 words outlining your general interests, activities, aspirations, reasons for pursuing a particular course of study, and a vision as to your future career. The selection committee will place special emphasis on this essay. b. References and Recommendation Letters The names and contact details of three references. These individuals must provide a letter of recommendation, and at least one must be academic in nature, testifying to your scholastic achievements and potential. Letters must be mailed to the following address, and include the candidate s name for whom it concerns: Scotiabank Sikh Foundation Scholarship Re: <candidate s name> 127 Adelaide Street, Suite 701 Toronto, ON M5H 4E7 c. Current Transcripts An official transcript of your final year Grade 11 marks, as well as your first-term Grade 12 marks, listing all courses and grades, must be uploaded. Print screens are accepted. If called for an interview, a hard copy of your transcript, with the school seal, stamp or signature, will be required. If Grade 12 mid-term marks are unavailable by March 20, 2014, please submit them to the Foundation as soon as they are available, no later than April 1, 2014. They may be submitted to the Foundation at contact@sikhfoundationscholarship.ca d. Acceptance Letter Conditional or unconditional, from an eligible post-secondary institution. e. Resume Curriculum vitae listing your principal accomplishments and honours to date, including scholarships, prizes, awards, leadership positions, athletic record, and extracurricular activities. f. Household Income Verification A copy of your family s most recent tax return to demonstrate financial need.
Frequently Asked Questons How important is the personal essay? This is an important element of your application. The personal statement is your chance to tell your story: who are you? What matters to you? What are you out to do in the world? The resume and reference letters provide substantive detail of your accomplishments, but this essay gives you the opportunity to cast an overarching narrative for the selection committee. If I am called for an interview, what can I expect and how should I prepare? The interview is of importance, as it is here that the Selection Committee has the opportunity to weigh up a candidate's depth of engagement, accomplishments, and aspirations. Committee members will initiate discussions that help them ascertain who represents the best potential. High academic standard is the first quality required of candidates, but they are also required to show integrity of character, contribution to community and seva or selfless service. The interview will therefore be wide-ranging in nature. Many applicants wonder how they might best prepare for the interview. Know yourself, be ready to speak with passion and energy about what you have done and what you intend to do, have a sense of what's going on in the world and something to say about it. You should of course carefully review your own application beforehand so that you are able to remember how you outlined your background and accomplishments for the committee. Be ready to discuss the issues you raised in the personal statement as well as the major events, beliefs and subjects that you have been associated with.