TRU Undergraduate Entrance Awards

What you will need

• ✓ Application for a campus baccalaureate degree or diploma program
• ✓ An essay demonstrating leadership, service, goal orientation, and grit
• ✓ Two references submitted by the April 1 deadline

About this award

You can receive one of a minimum of 40 awards valued between $2,000 and $4,000 each. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. The money is applied to one or two years of your tuition and fees. This is for you if you have a strong history of leadership and service, and you have shown grit in overcoming obstacles to reach your goals. You must apply by April 1. When you apply, ask Thompson Rivers University how and when you will hear back — whether it is through email, a phone call, or the application portal. Winners are chosen based on a ranking of your essay and your references. Your grades are used primarily to see if you are eligible, though they may be used to differentiate between two very closely ranked applications. Ask Thompson Rivers University how many people typically apply so you can judge your odds. The funds are applied directly to your tuition and fees at the school. Confirm with Thompson Rivers University during your application if there are any other ways the money is handled so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Thompson Rivers University whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and have applied to a campus baccalaureate (four-year) degree or diploma program. You cannot already hold a post-secondary academic credential, although you can be a transfer student with prior credits. You need a minimum 70% average in your Grade 11 courses. If you have already completed some post-secondary work, you need a 3.00 GPA (on the 4.33 scale) or the equivalent. Preference will be given to applicants who are the first person in their family to attend university (first generation student). Ten of these awards are regional and only available to students who have graduated from secondary schools within the TRU region, but outside the city of Kamloops. This region is approximately bordered by Hope, Lytton, Williams Lake, Valemount, Golden and Vernon, but excludes secondary schools in the city of Kamloops.

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.

• ✓ Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• ✓ Open to high school students
• ✓ Resident of British Columbia

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

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

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 list of your achievements. Instead, tell a specific story about a time you overcame a difficult obstacle to show your grit. Describe the exact steps you took to succeed.
• ReferencesAvoid choosing referees who only know you casually. Instead, pick people who can provide concrete examples of your leadership and service. Give your referees a copy of the award criteria so they know what to highlight.
• StrategyAvoid focusing only on your grades. Since the school uses essays and references to rank eligible students, spend more time polishing your personal statement than worrying about a few extra percentage points.
• RealismAvoid assuming that being from the TRU region guarantees a win. With only ten regional spots available, you still need to prove your leadership and service through a strong application.

Questions students ask

Similar awards

• Thompson Rivers UniversityTRU Undergraduate Entrance Bursaries$4,000
• University of Toronto (Rotman Commerce)U of T International Scholar Award — Rotman Commerce$100,000
• McMaster University — Faculty of EngineeringClass of 1952 Mel Hawkrigg Honour Award$4,500
• BC Ministry of Education and Child CarePathway to Teacher Education Scholarship$5,000
• Greater Saint John Community FoundationThe Suzanne Doyle-Yerxa Award$500
• University of SaskatchewanUniversity of Saskatchewan Entrance Scholarship (Best and Brightest)$30,000
• University of British Columbia — Vantage CollegeVantage One Excellence Award
• University of WaterlooUniversity of Waterloo International Student Entrance Scholarship$10,000