Selkirk College Entrance Scholarships Provide Financial Boost
By Bob Hall
High school students from around the region starting their post-secondary journey close to home have the opportunity to benefit financially with a Selkirk College Entrance Scholarship.
At the start of each academic year, the Selkirk College Board of Governors presents 40 scholarships to high school students and those attending post-secondary for the first time. Each scholarship is worth $1,500 and available to learners who have graduated with a minimum overall average of 75 per cent on select Grade 11/12 courses who plan to study at college full-time.
“These scholarships are a great opportunity for incoming students,” says Jim O’Meara, Selkirk College’s Deputy Registrar. “Beginning your studies with a $1,500 scholarship reduces first year tuition significantly, allowing students to apply more energy into their education rather than worrying about finances.”
Additional Entrance Scholarships are open to all Canadian residents who have graduated or are about to graduate from high school. Once a student applies to Selkirk College, they can also apply for an Entrance Scholarship. Deadline for applications is March 31, 2019.
First-year Selkirk College student Cyan Lemoal received an Entrance Scholarship in 2018. A graduate of Stanley Humphries Secondary in Castlegar, it was one of several scholarships the 18-year-old secured prior to classes starting this past September.
“One of the important parts of scholarships is that I don’t feel the pressure of needing to have a job or get a student loan,” says Lemoal, who is studying in the School of University Arts & Sciences on the Castlegar Campus. “I can work odd jobs while going to school and get money, but with scholarships I have managed to get all of my tuition paid for and don’t need to worry about it. I can now focus more on my education.”
Lemoal grew up in Robson and from an early age became involved in volunteer activities. In Grade 10, Lemoal was named Miss Castlegar and her volunteer involvement was amplified as she represented her community traveling around the province. By Grade 12 she was volunteering her time reading to elementary school students, on the Stanley Humphries leadership team, heading up the school’s yearbook, a student representative on the grad committee and peer tutoring.
Though it wasn’t her original motivation for getting involved, Lemoal’s work in the community has been an important highlight on scholarship and bursary application forms.
“My mom has always told me that it’s super important to give back to the community that I was raised in and I have always valued that,” she says. “Also, going to Robson Community School, there is something about that culture that really drove me to get involved. I really enjoy interacting with people in these different environments.”
Lemoal is the older sister of five siblings, including two-year-old twin girls. Her post-secondary pathway at Selkirk College is leading her towards the ultimate goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.
“I’ve always had this passion for education,” Lemoal says. “When I was in Grade 2, my younger brothers were in Kindergarten and when we would get home, I would make them come up to my room to play school. I would take all my notes from the day and give them math questions. I was always trying to teach my brothers… that was initially where it started.”
Lemoal has continued to apply for scholarships and bursaries during her first year of college and plans to keep filling out applications until her post-secondary education is complete. Her goal is to graduate with no student loans and the ability to continue to put the primary focus on her education.
Out of high school, Lemoal received scholarships from the likes of Teck Trail Operations, Columbia Basin Trust and the Castlegar Lions Club. Besides the financial relief, the Geography major says she feels a sense of strong connection to those who have come to her assistance.
“Another part of scholarships is that it provides you even more motivation in your studies,” says Lemoal. “It’s not my own money that I’m spending, so I feel a responsibility to do well because these organizations and individuals are showing you that support.”
Find out more information about Selkirk College Entrance Scholarships and other awards at: selkirk.ca/financial-aid.
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