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Students for Barrier-Free Access scholarships for University of Toronto disabled students

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION GUIDELINES

To support the work of disabled students at the University of Toronto, Students for Barrier-Free Access (SBA)  has created the SBA Student Scholarship. This scholarship will provide both undergraduate and graduate disabled students with some financial assistance to pursue their goals. This semester (Winter, 2014) we intend on awarding 3 awards of $1000 to 3 undergraduate students, and 1 award of $1000 to a graduate student. All submissions are welcome! Applications are available through the SBA office.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

Winter Semester: March 31st, 2014

Summer Semester: July 1st, 2014 (student does not have to be enrolled in summer courses to apply, but must be returning in the fall)

Fall Semester: November 1st. 2014

ELIGIBILITY CRITIERIA:

-    This competition is open to all registered University of Toronto undergraduate and graduate students, including those in the professional graduate programs;
-    International students are eligible to apply

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

1.    Please complete the application form, print and include with your submission.

2.    Personal statement OR video/visual submission
o    Please attempt to answer these questions in either a written personal statement or video/visual submission.
 

 What are you studying?

-    What stage are you at in your academic career?
-    When do you plan to complete your education?
-    Plans for career or community development?
-    What disability-related and other community(ies) are you a part of?
-    How do you connect your studies with disability organizing?
-    What type of impact could/do your studies have on the community(ies) that you are a part of or would like to be a part of?
-    List any extra-curricular projects and/or activities that are relevant
-    How will the winning the scholarship assist in achieving your goals?

Personal Statement:
1 page, single-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Romans, 1-inch margins

OR

Video/visual submission:
    Please describe (maximum 250 words) the ideas behind the piece, if necessary.
Video: Maximum 5 minutes.
Visual pieces: no restrictions.

You have the option of submitting your work by either email, mail or in person (address below). For Youtube or other electronic video submissions, please send the link with your written description. (If you are mailing your submission please do so well in advance of the submission deadline in order for the package to arrive on time).

3.    2 page (maximum) Resume/CV
o    Outline professional skills, academic achievements, and community involvement experience.

4.    1 (maximum) academic OR community-member reference letter
o    Referee should be able to speak to the student’s achievements and potential. Example: teacher, employer, community member or professor.

5.    Letter confirming registration from department or registrar’s office (watermarked document in a sealed and signed envelope).

6.    Students must demonstrate disability: Letter confirming registration status with Accessibility Services OR other documentation from service providers that demonstrates disability OR any other relevant document (such as a personal letter, maximum 250 words)

Submit your completed application in person, by mail or email to:

SBA Centre,
215 Huron St., 9th floor, Room 924
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A2
Email: sba@utoronto.ca

The SBA Centre is open Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM (closed for lunch hour from 1 PM-2 PM) and Friday 9 AM to 2 PM.

For more information please call or email: (416) 967-7322 or sba@utoronto.ca

Website: http://sba.sa.utoronto.ca/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sbacentre @sbacentre
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aoda.george

DECISION PROCESS:

Following the submission deadline, an Adjudicating Committee of five members of the SBA Board of Directors will convene on the following dates to review and evaluate the applications: April 18, 2014; July 18, 2014; November 21, 2014.

Only completed application packages will be presented to the adjudicating committee. Please ensure all supporting documents are received by submission deadline date.
A completed application package contains:

1.    Completed application form  
2.    Personal statement OR video/visual submission
3.    2 page (maximum) Resume or CV
4.    1 (minimum) academic OR community-member reference letter
5.    Letter confirming registration from department or registrar’s office (watermarked document sealed and signed envelope)
6.    Students must demonstrate disability: Letter confirming registration status with Accessibility Services OR other documentation from service providers that demonstrates disability OR any other relevant document (such as a personal letter, maximum 250 words)

Students will receive an email indicating whether or not a Scholarship has been granted. Unsuccessful applicants will be provided with brief notes regarding the Committee’s decision.
All successful applicants will be asked to sign a written agreement acknowledging the receipt of the award.

Unless otherwise specified, a cheque will be sent to the mailing address recipients provided on the application form.

Applicants are eligible for only one SBA Student Scholarship per academic year.

All results are final.

GET YOUR ACCESS ON!