Post-secondary education isn't cheap these days, but many students don't realize that they may be eligible to receive substantial financial assistance through bursaries, awards, and scholarships. That's what Todd McGillivray, a second year Golf Club Management student at Holland College discovered when he went to the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation's website last spring.
"I thought the Millennium Scholarships were awarded based only on financial need," the Regina, Saskatchewan native explained in a recent interview. "I didn't realize until I went to the website that there were scholarships for students that were based on academic achievement and community involvement."
Figuring he had nothing to lose, McGillivray filled in the Millennium Scholarship forms, asked his instructor for a reference, and submitted his application last spring. The Millennium Excellence Awards were created to recognize the accomplishments of post-secondary students who demonstrate up-and-coming leadership qualities, innovation, academic achievement, and community involvement.
"Fortunately, the first year of the Golf Club Management program involves a great deal of volunteer work in communities across the Island," McGillivray said. "We had a terrific time working at Lori Kane's tournament, a couple of other fund-raising tournaments, and we helped out at the P.E.I. School Athletic Association tournament in Mill River, as well." McGillivray also worked on the Holland College Golf programs' Annual Business Conference and as a technical advisor for the yearbook.
Paul Murnaghan, McGillivray's instructor, said writing a letter of reference for the student was easy. "Todd has helped organize a number of golf tournaments, and will be a driving force behind the development of a golf program newsletter. He's a fine example of how dynamic and committed our students are."
In August, McGillivray received an e-mail from the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation notifying him that he was the recipient of a $4000 award.
"When I found out I was receiving the money, it was a load off my mind. It saved me from having to get a student loan," he recalls. "But more than that, you feel that your hard work has been recognized by people outside of your program."
McGillivray encourages other students to apply for scholarships whenever they can. He said it seems that many students don't realize that they are eligible to apply for scholarships, or think that it's too much trouble to fill in the application form. But as he has learned, a couple of hours of work can yield a few thousand dollars, a great accolade to include in a resume, a confidence-booster, and a weight off a struggling student's mind.
For more information about this release, please contact: Sara Underwood, Media and Communications Officer Tel: 902-566-9695
Date: Sunday, November 06, 2005
