VIDEO: How to score a scholarship or bursary

You can't win if you don't apply.

If you or the student in your life wants to benefit from one of the hundreds of scholarships out there, you have to fill out the application. In an interview at KelownaNow Lorraine Miller, President of the Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society said there is a financial award for almost every kind of student.

"It's beneficial for the student," said Miller, "to have one place to do this mass application, rather than them doing six or seven applications all around town."

Miller said there are financial awards available for all kinds of students, even those that don't fit the stereotype of the scholarship type student.

"They can fit any criteria that any donor can imagine."

The whole process can be very gratifying and emotional. Donors have the option of going through applications themselves and selecting the right student and then make the presentation themselves.

"Can you imagine that student meeting the person who gave them the money? They don't know them. They're not connected. They're just invested in education and they've put their faith in you!"

But while the number of students looking for these awards continues to grow, the number of donors has lagged behind. So Miller is hoping that more individuals and businesses step up to help fill the demand. If you would like to create an award for the graduating class in June you need to have your completed contract turned-in to the society by December 1st.