Financial Aid Directory

Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) Scholarship

INTRODUCTION

The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) is dedicated to providing blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted individuals with the opportunities they need to compete on an equal basis with other members of Canadian society. Through public education and advocacy, our organization works to improve the lives of these Canadians by providing a forum for mentorship, discussion and action on issues of common concern.

Each year, the AEBC offers scholarships to recognize outstanding blind, deaf-blind, and partially sighted post-secondary school students. This year there will be five awards in total: 3 (three) $1,000.00 scholarships and 2 (two) $700.00 scholarships. Each scholarship will be accompanied by a year's free membership to AEBC. They are as follows:

  • The AEBC National Achievement Scholarship (National) for $1,000.00
  • The Alan H. Neville Memorial Scholarship in memory of an AEBC Pioneer and valued Advisor (National) for $1,000.00
  • The AEBC Rick Oakes Scholarship for the Arts (National) for $1,000.00
  • The Reverend Leslie Ball Scholarship for the Performing Arts (National) for $700.00
  • The Reverend Leslie Ball Scholarship for Vocational Training and Trades (National) for $700.00

It is not necessary to submit separate applications, as applicants will be considered for all scholarships for which they qualify.

CRITERIA

All scholarships are awarded on the basis of:

  1. Academic performance with particular emphasis on the three $1,000.00 scholarships;
  2. Community involvement; and
  3. Overcoming adversity.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all of these qualifications. Applicants not meeting one or more of these qualifications will not be considered:

  • Blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted. Please note: Whatever an applicant's vision level, he/she must meet the requirements for legal blindness, which is visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye after correction, or a visual field of less than 20 degrees.
  • Canadian citizen or landed immigrant
  • Attending a post-secondary programme (college, university or vocational) within the period of September 2009 to April 2010, with a full-time course load or at a 40% course load when accompanied by an explanation. Students at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels as well as those in training programs, educational upgrading, and taking courses in the performing arts are encouraged to apply.
  • Exchange students studying abroad under a legitimate exchange programme and paying fees to a Canadian educational institution are also considered eligible, as are students who may choose to study abroad for compelling reasons such as lack of a similar programme in Canada, failure to be accepted into a programme in Canada, or the clear superiority of a programme abroad.

MEMBERSHIP

Scholarship applicants and recipients need not be members of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians; however, involvement in the organization is strongly encouraged, as we seek to gain a stronger voice in Canada, and membership benefits those who are blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted both collectively and individually. Membership information can be found at http://www.blindcanadians.ca/membership/.

AWARDS

The Scholarship Committee reviews all applications and selects the scholarship recipients. These recipients will be notified of their selection by December 15, 2009. Scholarship monies will be sent to the recipients no later than December 31, 2009.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

  1. Application form including Average Academic Grade.
    Applicants are not required to submit a transcript of their marks. Instead, they are required to obtain a current or most recent (if not in school currently) average academic grade, calculated in percent (e.g. 85%), from their academic institution and note this clearly on their application form. Please note: The application will not be considered If this average academic grade is not in percentage form. If your program of study does not express in percentage grades, please try to equate to a percentage scale or explain how grading is done on your application.
  2. Personal Letter.
    In addition to the application form, applicants are required to provide a letter describing themselves, including such information as background on their visual condition, any additional medical or disability information, onset of blindness or loss of vision. Applicants should answer the question: “What barriers or obstacles have you faced and conquered in your life, as a result of your disability?” Applicants should also discuss their academic goals, interests, hobbies, school and community activities, work experience, vocational goals and service to their community particularly as this pertains to service to other persons with disabilities such as blindness, deaf-blindness or partial sight. Please do not send a resume in addition to a personal letter.
  3. Reference Letter.
    Applicants are also required to submit one current letter of reference (written in the last twelve months) from an individual who can comment in detail on their academic progress, personal strengths, community involvement and any other aspects of their life in support of their application. The individual may be an employer or supervisor, clergy member, Academic Advisor, Department Head, Academic Planner, etc. This reference letter should be forwarded with the application package.
  4. Declaration.
    Applicants are required to confirm in a declaration at the end of the application, that the information they have provided is correct and true to the best of their knowledge, and that they meet the requirements for legal blindness. When submitting this application electronically, applicants must put their name and the date below the declaration statement. Please note: Anyone applying by email, must put his/her name and the date below the declaration statement, for the application to be considered.

HOW TO APPLY

The deadline for scholarship submissions is October 31, 2009. Please complete the application form, make and confirm the declaration statement, sign and date your submission, and include the relevant required reference and personal letters.

Forward the application form, personal letter and letter of reference in one of these file formats: plain or rich text, Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, or Excel, or in the body of an email, to scholarship@blindcanadians.ca.

If not applying on-line, keep in mind that Scholarship Committee members may be blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted. If submission of an application in an accessible electronic format is not possible--inaccessible formats include PDF and jpg files--please contact us either by email or by phone at (800) 561-4774 to discuss alternatives. We would prefer to answer any questions regarding accessibility before you send your application.

Please note that incomplete applications, as well as any applications (complete, incomplete, or parts of applications) received after October 31, 2009 will not be considered for scholarship awards.

Scholarship Recipients will be required to provide their Social Insurance Number when they accept their award.

REAPPLICATION

Previous applicants and recipients are eligible to reapply.

http://www.blindcanadians.ca/programs/scholarship.php




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