The Paul Lauzier Memorial Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for students looking to pursue post-secondary education starting in 2024. We will cover all the important details about the scholarship application process, eligibility requirements, award amounts, and tips for putting together a strong application. My goal is to inform and empower potential applicants to make an informed decision on whether to apply.
About Paul Lauzier
Paul Lauzier was a longtime advocate for education who believed all students deserve access to learning opportunities regardless of their financial means. He lived his life with compassion and sought to uplift those around him through kindness, wisdom, and service. Tragically, Paul passed away in 2020 at the young age of 32 from an unexpected illness. To honor Paul’s legacy and commitment to empowering students, his family established this annual scholarship in his name.
The scholarship aims to support up to 5 students each year who embody Paul’s spirit of perseverance, dedication to community, and passion for knowledge. Applicants are evaluated based not just on academics but also on character, leadership activities, and an expressed desire to “pay it forward” through future work or volunteerism. While a university degree was important to Paul, he cared most about developing well-rounded individuals of strong moral character.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Paul Lauzier Memorial Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Plan to attend a post-secondary institution in Canada starting in fall 2024
- Have at least an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or regional equivalent)
- Demonstrate involvement in extracurricular activities like volunteering, sports, arts, or student government
- Provide a detailed personal statement and two letters of recommendation
- Have unmet financial need after accounting for all other funding sources
The scholarship is open to students attending a range of post-secondary programs including college diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, and some professional/graduate certificates.
Award Amounts
Up to 5 scholarships will be awarded each year, with individual award amounts ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. The amount is determined based on the financial need demonstrated by each recipient. Funds can be applied to tuition, books, supplies, or living expenses related to the student’s program of study.
Scholarships are normally disbursed in two equal installments – the first at the start of the academic year, and the second halfway through upon confirmation the recipient remains in good academic standing. Any portion of the award not used for eligible educational costs must be returned to the scholarship foundation.
Application Process and Timeline
Applying for the Paul Lauzier Memorial Scholarship is a multi-step process involving an online application form, supporting documents, and potential interviews:
- Applications open January 15th, 2024 and the deadline to submit is March 31st, 2024
- The online application requests basic student information as well as responses to essay questions
- Students must also provide an official transcript, resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation
- Top applicants may be selected for brief phone or video interviews in late April/early May
- Scholarship recipients will be announced by May 15th, 2024
- Funds will be given in two equal installments – the first in August and the second in December
It is vital applicants follow all instructions carefully and submit complete applications by the stated deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Tips for a Strong Application
With competition for these scholarships expected to be high, applicants need to put their best foot forward. Here are some tips for crafting a standout application:
Have Your Materials Professionally Proofread
Ask teachers or mentors to review your essays and statements for errors or areas needing improvement before submission. Grammatical mistakes or inconsistencies create a negative first impression.
Express Genuine Passion and Enthusiasm
Committee members want to feel your interest in and dedication to your chosen field of study through your written responses. Convey enthusiasm without sounding superficial.
Highlight Activities Demonstrating Character
Focus on leadership roles, community service, overcoming challenges, or showing care for others rather than just listing memberships. Quality is more important than quantity.
Tell Your Story Authentically
While following guidelines, be yourself and convey what makes you unique through personal anecdotes rather than generic statements. Committees appreciate sincerity and personality.
Meet All Technical Requirements
Format documents properly, meet word counts, include requested info in incorrect fields, and double-check formatting before submitting. Make it easy for reviewers to evaluate you positively.
Allow Plenty of Time for Reviews and Edits
Strong applications are usually developed over multiple drafts rather than rushed at the last minute. Leave time to reflect on feedback and continually improve the overall package.
Technical Concepts Explained
Some key terms and concepts mentioned may require clarification:
GPA (Grade Point Average) – The average of all grades received, calculated by multiplying the grade numerical value by credit hours and dividing by total credits. Most Canadian schools use a 4.0 scale, but some provinces have alternate scales.
Permanent Resident – An immigrant or refugee authorized to live permanently in Canada who is not a citizen. They hold Canadian permanent resident cards but cannot vote.
Unmet Financial Need – The difference between a student’s total educational costs and the amount they are expected to contribute based on their financial resources. Need-based aid aims to fill this gap.
Letters of Recommendation – Letters written by people such as teachers, employers, or community leaders who can personally attest to an applicant’s character and accomplishments. These provide external validation beyond just self-reported details.
Statement of Purpose – Also called a personal statement, this essay explains an applicant’s motivation, background, interests, future goals, and how receiving the scholarship would help achieve their ambitions. It gives insight into who they are beyond grades or activities.
Resume – A concise document listing relevant education, work experience, skills, certifications, volunteer activities, publications, awards, and other accomplishments to highlight relevant qualifications for the scholarship and intended field of study.
I hope these technical definitions help explain some of the key application components in clearer terms. Let me know if any other concepts would benefit from further explanation.
FAQs About The Application Process
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What makes a competitive application?
Aside from meeting minimum GPA and residency requirements, focus on demonstrating leadership, community involvement, perseverance in the face of challenges, and a clear passion for your intended field of study through your essays, activities, and recommendations. Strong writing skills and proofreading are also important.
Can references be personal or must they come from teachers/professors?
While letters from current or former instructors carry more weight, references from relevant work supervisors or community leaders involved in your extracurriculars can also be accepted if they can speak to your character and accomplishments.
What if I cannot get my transcript by the deadline?
If your school experiences significant delays in producing official transcripts, you can still apply by providing the most recent unofficial transcript available. Be sure to explain the extenuating circumstances to avoid your application being disqualified as incomplete. Official documents must still be submitted by mid-May if your application moves forward.
Do scholarships get renewed each year?
No, this is a one-time scholarship award intended to help with education costs during the recipient’s first year of post-secondary study only – usually the 2024-2025 academic year. Students must reapply each year to be considered for further support.
If offered an interview, what should I expect?
Interviews are usually brief, around 15 minutes. Committees aim to get to know you better as a person beyond written applications. Expect to discuss your aspirations, strengths, community involvement, how you overcame challenges, and what motivates your educational/career path. Be prepared to speak passionately yet concisely about yourself.
What if I am unable to attend the college/university stated in my application?
Scholarship funds are technically awarded to the recipient rather than a specific institution. If unforeseen circumstances prevent attending the originally stated program and timeline, contact the foundation as soon as possible to discuss transferring the award to an alternate approved institution and timeframe if feasible. Honest communication is important to accommodate life changes while upholding the award’s intent.
I hope this FAQ section addressed some common applicant questions. Please reach out if any part of the application or selection process remains unclear. I’m happy to provide additional details or explanations.
Closing Remarks
Pursuing scholarships and financial aid is an important part of making post-secondary education affordable and setting oneself up for lifelong success. The Paul Lauzier Memorial Scholarship offers a meaningful opportunity to not only earn support for your studies but to carry on the values of community spirit and commitment to learning that Paul exemplified.
I wish all potential applicants the very best as they prepare strong submissions on a compressed timeline. Remember that this is a highly competitive process, so starting early allows crafting the best possible package through multiple revisions.
