First-in-Family Scholarship

What you will need

• ✓ Your transcript
• ✓ An essay
• ✓ A nomination (can be a self-nomination or from a parent, sibling, adult friend, guardian, school principal, or review committee)

About this award

At least $5,000 is awarded each year, and that may rise to $10,000 in any year depending on the quality and number of applicants. Because this is a scholarship, not a loan, you do not have to pay it back. The exact number of scholarships and the amount of each scholarship will depend on the number of nominations received and the funding requested by nominees. This is for you if you are a female-identifying student from Annapolis Royal who is the first in your family to pursue post-secondary education. You must apply by May 1 each year. If you win the award in June, you have until September three years following to begin your university studies, which gives you time for increased maturity and careful selection of your program of study. When you apply, ask the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia how and when you'll hear back — email, portal, or phone. The number of nominations isn't published — ask the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia if you want to judge your odds. The money will be paid directly to your student account at the university rather than to you as an individual. Confirm with the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia if there are any other payment details you should know for your cash flow planning. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Community Foundation of Nova Scotia whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be a female-identifying graduate attending Annapolis West Education Centre. You must be a first-generation post-secondary student, meaning none of your siblings, parents, or guardians have attended or graduated from university. You must use the award for study at a recognized Canadian university. You must also have above-average grades, not be winning other scholarships or financial awards for post-secondary study, and be someone school staff may not immediately see as likely to attend university.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Open to high school students
• ✓ Resident of Nova Scotia

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Order your transcript1–2 weeks

   Your school's registrar can take a week or two.

3. 3

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

4. 4

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• EssayAvoid writing a generic academic paper. Instead, use your essay to share your personal journey as a first-generation student and why university is the right next step for you. Focus on your specific ambitions.
• SupportYou can nominate yourself, or a parent, guardian, adult friend or school principal can nominate you. Either way your own input is required, so be ready to send your transcript and essay when the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia emails you.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the last minute to gather your documents. Instead, request your official transcript from your school office early so you can submit it the moment the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia emails you.
• RealismAvoid assuming this is a guaranteed fund if you already have several other large scholarships. Instead, remember that this award specifically targets students who are not currently winning other financial awards for their studies.

Questions students ask

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