You might be worried about going away to university/college/trade/art school and, to be fair, there is a lot to worry about. The Bowen Island Community Foundation wants to make taking the leap just a little bit easier for you.
“How?” you ask. By offering up a cornucopia of scholarships and bursaries (“cornucopia” is a bit strong… perhaps an “ensemble”). We’ve recruited Hudson Stiver, university student and the winner of last year’s Aaron Sluggett Memorial Scholarship, to shed some light on the situation.
How has winning the scholarship helped you?
Winning the Aaron Sluggett Memorial Scholarship helped immensely during my first year of university, in a time where every dollar counts. Using the scholarship to contribute to my tuition allowed me to funnel more time into my academics. It allowed me to focus on understanding new expectations that were different from what I had experienced in high school. Being able to focus on my school allowed me to take full advantage of the classes, extracurriculars, and opportunities that my university had to offer, rather than focusing on meeting my tuition and living costs. It lifted what would’ve been a weight off of my shoulders, and allowed me to thoroughly enjoy my first year of university.
Was it difficult to apply?
I found it incredibly easy to apply to the Community Foundation’s scholarships. It was easy for me to provide a community reference and a transcript with my high school grades, which meant that two-thirds of the process was already completed. By dedicating a couple of hours establishing my connection to Bowen Island, I was able to create my applications for two community foundation scholarships over one weekend of work.
What would you say to anyone who is on the fence about applying?
Go ahead and do it! The applications are easy to complete and by putting in a couple hours of work you could ease your financial stresses during your first year of university.
Any words of wisdom from this first year at university?
My best advice would be to make the most of every experience. Some people might feel a bit nervous when embarking on a new experience, but it is important to know that there are so many people in the same boat. By taking advantage of the opportunities your institution has to offer, you can create bonds with like-minded people and establish lasting friendships. First-year goes by quickly, and by taking the opportunities that come your way you can ensure that you look back at that year with a sense of fulfilment rather than a sense of regret.
Apply on the BICF website. Deadline is 11:59 p.m. July 5.
Many thanks to Hudson, and good luck to everyone!
