TVEF Scholarship Rant!

Grade 12 students are strongly encouraged to investigate potential scholarships, bursaries and graduate awards that they are connected to.  Whether it's through a parent's employer, union, banking institution, or insurance company there are awards to be won!  

GDHS students are also eligible to apply for awards through the following:

1. Thames Valley Education Foundation Awards
2. Internal Awards (donated by our community donors)
3. External Awards (brought to your/our attention from outside sources)  

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY FOR AWARDS 

Scholarship Application Guide

Most people think scholarships are only for students with the highest marks. However, your community involvement, extracurricular activities, sports, arts contributions, family background, and part-time employment all play a role in scholarship eligibility.

Instructions:

Taking your time is important. This is your chance to stand out and showcase your accomplishments. Review the awards criteria below and check out the Thames Valley Education Foundation (TVEF) as well as the GDHS INTERNAL and EXTERNAL Awards.

Reference Letters

If you need reference letters for awards, now is the perfect time to request them. Think of an employer, teacher, coach, or mentor who knows you well and can write great things about you. Don’t wait until the last minute. The best reference letters come from people who can take their time. Once written, ask them to email it to you and save a copy for future use. Most TVEF awards require two reference letters if you move forward.

TVEF (Thames Valley Education Foundation) Awards

1. Application System: All TVEF awards are done through a ‘one application’ system. The system OPENS March 1, 2025, and CLOSES April 1, 2025. No late applications will be accepted.
2. Read Descriptions: Click on TVEF AWARDS to read the descriptions and see if you qualify. Awards administered via TVEF one application say ‘ONLINE APPLICATION’ under the application process. Others are through the Internal Awards process below.
3. Create an Account: Go to the awards APPLICATION PORTAL and create an account. Read all instructions and follow them closely. If you’re unsure about your post-high school plans, answer with your current hopes. You can stop and return to questions before submitting. It should take about 30-45 minutes.
4. Submit Application: After submitting, the system will show all awards you qualify for. If an award you thought you qualified for is missing, see Mr. Taylor, he can find out if you can be added.
5. Start Early: Don’t wait until March 31st. Aim to complete your initial application by mid-March to allow time for any additional requirements. You may need to provide supplementary information such as financial details, short essays, or portfolios.
6. Help: Instructions, clips, and pictures are available HERE if you get stuck.
7. After April 1: Completed applications will be forwarded to Guidance and reviewed by the school awards committee. You may be asked to upload your two reference letters within one to two weeks.

GDHS Internal Awards

1. Read Descriptions: Click on GDHS INTERNAL AWARDS to read the descriptions and see if you qualify. Make notes of which awards you want to apply for and why.
2. Google Classroom: The link will be released at the Internal Awards meeting on April 8, 2025 at 11:40AM in the Library, and will be found on Google Classroom afterward.
3. Application Process: For each award, answer ‘YES’ or ‘NO’. If ‘YES’, write a short paragraph explaining why you qualify.
4. Deadline: Submit to Mr. Taylor by Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.
5. Selection: After April 22nd, the awards committee will determine eligibility. Awards and any money will be handed out at Commencement in October.

External Awards

1. Availability: Check online, your post-secondary school website, the bulletin board in guidance, or Google Classroom for available awards. The ‘Scholarship Report’ is a great resource.  
2. Follow Instructions: Ensure you follow the application instructions and due dates.

BELOW ARE JUST A FEW OF THE EXTERNAL AWARDS AVAILABLE TO GDHS STUDENTS:

Libro Student Awards ($2000) Libro’s student award program supports youth who demonstrate outstanding commitment to their community while balancing academic success.  APPLICATIONS OPEN MARCH 25, 2025 AND THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 25, 2025. 

Larry McGrath International Silver Stick Scholarship - This application is intended for Canadian and American Students who are in their final year of high school and will be attending their first year of post-secondary education and participated in or volunteered at a Silver Stick® tournament.  For the 2024-2025 Hockey Season we will be awarding three (3) American and three (3) Canadians awarded a Scholarship of $2000 each.  Applications are reviewed and recommendations are made by the Scholarship Committee each spring and then approved and announced at the International Silver Stick Annual Meeting in June each year.  APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 15, 2025.

CUPE 4222 Graduation Award - CUPE 4222 members’ children are eligible to apply for CUPE 4222 Graduation Award. Please click here to see the application for the CUPE 4222 Graduation Awards for the 2022-2023 School Year.  As part of your application you must: submit a presentation, in one of the following formats:  an essay; a poster; or an audio-visual clip, on “The Importance of Unions in Society” and attach a Graduation Summary. All applications, presentations and Graduation Summaries are DUE BY APRIL 30, 2025, NO EXCEPTIONS.

Bruce B. Foster Memorial Award ($2000) Sponsored by the Chatham District Masons, this Bursary is open to any financially challenged student graduating from high school who will be attending college or university.  ***Any grade 12 graduating students who have financial need and plan to attend either college or university next year should apply for this Bursary.  You should contact Mr. Taylor at:  christopher.taylor@tvdsb.ca and email him a phone number where you can best be reached.  He will contact you and help with the completion of the application process.  All completed applications should be forwarded to Mr. Taylor at the above email address as he will be collecting and mailing all applications to the Bruce B. Foster Committee. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 15, 2025.

The Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command Charitable Foundation & Royal Canadian Legion Ladies' Auxiliary Ontario Command Bursary ($1000)IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY ATTENDING HIGH SCHOOL, YOU CANNOT APPLY UNTIL YOU ARE PHYSICALLY ON CAMPUS IN THE FALL.

Click here for Other Sources of Scholarships and Awards

Students and Parents/Guardians are welcome to contact our Guidance Department for assistance regarding scholarship opportunities.

WANTING TO APPLY FOR OSAP?   

CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY FOR OSAP OR VISIT https://www.ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program