2008-2009 Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Scholarship

In this section . . .

Find out all you need to know about this scholarship for high school students:

• FAQs - frequently asked questions
• Purpose of the program
• Value - maximum amount of assistance
• Eligibility requirements - determining if you can be considered for this scholarship
• Scholarship amounts  
• How to apply and important deadlines
• Selection process - high school marks are important!
• Receipt of funding - when and how you will get your money
• Renewals - what conditions apply to be renewed

Purpose of the Program

The Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Scholarship is designed to recognize students who have shown academic excellence at the high school level and to assist students with financial need. 

Value

Students who have achieved the best marks at Ontario high schools will be recognized and celebrated through this scholarship. Winners may receive a scholarship worth up to a maximum of $3,500 per year. Students who keep their grades up can receive the scholarship for up to four years. This scholarship is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring that a postsecondary education is accessible and affordable.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for a scholarship:

• you must apply by June 20, 2008;
• you must be an Ontario resident, as defined by Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP);
• you must graduate from an Ontario high school in 2008 and achieve academic excellence;
• you must apply to attend a publicly assisted Ontario university or college of applied arts and technology on a full-time basis, through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre or the Ontario College Application Services; or apply to attend another Ontario postsecondary institution (for example, a private career college) that is approved for purposes of this scholarship program;
• you will be a full-time postsecondary student in 2008-2009.

Go to School Search to find out if the postsecondary institution you plan to attend has been approved for purposes of this scholarship.

Scholarship Amounts

The amount of your scholarship will be determined based on the information you provide on your application about your financial resources. The maximum scholarship of $3,500 will go to students with high financial need. The minimum scholarship that you can receive is $100. The scholarship cannot exceed your actual tuition plus compulsory fees.

How to Apply

If you wish to be considered for this scholarship, you must complete the entire 2008-2009 OSAP Application for Full-Time Students, including your confirmation that you wish to be considered for the scholarship. You may apply using the 2008-2009 OSAP online web application for full-time students that is available on this website under Apply Online, or apply using an OSAP paper application form.

If you wish to apply for the basic merit amount of $100 only, you must fill out the Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Scholarship Application for Basic Merit Amount.

If you are planning to attend an approved Ontario institution other than a provincially-assisted university or college of applied arts and technology (e.g., a Private Career College), you are responsible for making arrangements with your secondary school to have them provide your high school marks. You must do so by June 6, 2008.  Check the High School Marks Transmittal Instructions for detailed instructions and forms.

If you are a returning student who previously received this scholarship, you do not have to reapply, because OSAP automatically determines your eligibility for renewal.

Deadlines

To be considered for this program, you must ensure that you meet the following deadlines:

Application and processing deadlines 

If you use a paper OSAP application form to apply, it must be received by the financial aid office of your postsecondary institution by June 20, 2008.

If you use the OSAP online application to apply, you must submit it by June 20, 2008.

If your submitted OSAP application (online or paper) is processed but considered to be incomplete because of errors and/or missing information, you must ensure that you provide your financial aid office with any missing information and/or corrections by July 23, 2008, in order to be considered for this scholarship.

Declaration and signature deadline

If you use the online application to apply, you will be asked to print your personalized declaration and signature page. Alternatively, you may request that this page be mailed to you. The declaration and signature page must be signed and received at the financial aid office at the postsecondary institution you plan to attend by July 18, 2008, in order for you to be considered for this scholarship. Applicants to approved private postsecondary institutions must also meet deadlines for providing their high school marks. Please check the High School Marks Transmittal Instructions for detailed instructions and forms.

It is your responsibility to meet these deadlines. Applications will not be considered if they are received after the application deadline, or in the case of online applications, if signature and declaration forms are received after the signature deadline.

Review Deadline

If you are not a successful candidate and you would like to request a review, your request for a review must be received at your financial aid office by November 14, 2008. Reviews related to missing the program's deadlines will not be considered.

Selection Process

Students graduating with the highest marks in their high school will be selected. The share of scholarships given out at each high school will reflect the number of students in the graduating years.

Selection will be based on the marks submitted to the application centres by your secondary school. Please note that marks from summer school courses taken in 2008 will not be considered. 

Receipt of Funding

If you receive a scholarship, OSAP will inform you by mail in August 2008. You may also check the status of this scholarship by going to the Check Status section of the OSAP web site.
The ministry will forward your scholarship to your college of applied arts and technology or university in August. This will be applied directly against your tuition and compulsory fees. If your tuition has already been paid, your college or university will provide you with a tuition refund for the scholarship amount.

It is important for you to keep track of your scholarship to make sure it gets applied properly. To ensure you receive the scholarship, you should contact your financial aid office by the “Claiming Deadline” indicated on the “Scholarship Details” page of the letter that will be sent to you by the ministry in August if you are a successful candidate for the Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Scholarship.

If you attend an institution other than a publicly assisted university or college of applied arts and technology, your scholarship will be mailed to your financial aid office for you to pick up once your enrolment is confirmed.

Standard for Renewal

This scholarship is renewable and can be awarded for a maximum of four years, provided that you keep your grades up. To be eligible to have your scholarship renewed, you must achieve an average of at least 80 per cent, or the equivalent in Grade Point Average (GPA) or letter grades, as determined by your postsecondary institution in the academic year for which you receive the scholarship. (For example, a 2007-2008 scholarship recipient who is enrolled in the winter and fall terms must meet the renewal requirements in 2007-2008 to have his or her scholarship renewed for 2008-2009.) You must also continue to attend an approved postsecondary institution and continue to be enrolled full-time in an eligible program.