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Winning Scholarships: A Student's Guide to Entrance Awards at Universities and Colleges in Ontario.
Michael Howell.
Subject Headings:
Grades 11 and up / Ages 16 and up.
*** /4
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This volume is an updating of Michael Howell's 1992 edition and is, if anything, even more timely. With tuition costs in seemingly constant ascent, sources of financial assistance are becoming increasingly important to Canadian families. At the same time, the ever-increasing need for this assistance makes the competition even more intense and makes it all the more important to understand who gets scholarships and why.
Written by a high school gifted student program coordinator, the guide is knowledgably directed in style and content toward secondary students and their families. A comprehensive index of awards is usefully categorized by institutional type (college or university scholarships; general scholarships - Canada-wide, and Ontario-specific; and employment scholarships provided by parents' companies and unions). Details are provided on deadlines, eligibility criteria, and institutional contact offices. Just as importantly, students are counselled on how to prepare themselves during their high school years for such competitions, and on the "do's and don'ts" of presenting a successful application. Information is provided about "scholarship coaches," and tips are offered to teachers and others on writing letters of reference. An important message is that preparing oneself for the competition is not something that can be done at the last moment. Thought must be given at the very beginning of high school about everything from extracurricular activities to time management: to preparing, in effect, a personal portfolio. The book makes the reasonable assumption that both students and parents may be approaching this topic for the first time, and care is taken to explain terminology.
The book includes some very useful cross-referenced indices: one organized by specific characteristics and requirements (special interest groups, gender, occupation, disability, etc.). Another is organized by program type, and another by application deadline.
Although the focus of the book is on scholarships, additional information is provided on bursaries and loans. For the benefit of both parents and students, advice is offered as well on general financial planning for and during postsecondary study (including information on taxes).
Howell's book underlines the importance of planning and provides a very useful starting point basis for parents, students, teachers and counsellors.
Recommended.
Alexander D. Gregor is the Director of the Centre for Higher Education, Research and Development at the University of Manitoba.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © 1998 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - JANUARY 30, 1998.
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