Graduating Debt-Free/ Scholarship Search & Application Process

Justify the phone bill with a little money in the bank.

Calling smartphone addicts: you’re internet-savvy and love to talk, so put your long hours of practice to work in earning money for school. It’s simple, just look around and ask the right questions. Here’s what you do:

1. Friend your Student Financial Services Office. Before you enroll, contact Student Financial Services at your school. This is not just a place to pay your fees. They can guide you in the right direction when looking for the best assistance programs and scholarships. Check out some awards for upper-year students, too. Nipissing’s Student Financial Services offers work-study programs and entrance scholarships along with student assistance programs for students to gain work experience and cash; these programs require applications beforehand, so be prepared when opportunity knocks.

2. Scholarships? There’s an app for that. You know how to find the best places to eat, so use your know-how (and data plan) to find the best scholarship. Often, scholarships are there for the taking if you just ask. Have a family member working in a particular industry or company? Ask them where to find information on scholarship programs; these scholarship opportunities could help pay tuition.

3. Scholarships and Snapchat: instant gratification. You don’t wait days to Snapchat your friends, so why wait to apply for a scholarship? You could get experience and skills by working, but unless your gig pays well, part-time employment won’t cover all your costs. A $6,000 scholarship like Nipissing’s Schulich Scholarship for Education students saves over 585 hours in part-time work at minimum wage, and those few hours spent applying mean less long-term stress.

Be smart: save time and money. Check out our student blog for more tips on living the student experience, and what it means to be a student at Nipissing University!