You may apply for this bursary if:

• you have completed level eight of the Language Institute ESL full-time program
• you are registered in a post-secondary, full-time program at Algonquin College
• you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
• you meet the residency requirements as stated in OSAP policies
• you can demonstrate financial need
• you maintained a B average in the final ESL level at the Algonquin College Language Institute
• you are a conscientious, hardworking student who possesses a generous spirit and respect for others

You can apply for this bursary by:

• completing a Financial Aid Budget Form (available in room B442)

• writing a 200 word letter describing why  you believe you are a deserving recipient of this bursary

• submitting your letter and budget form to:

Ms. Diane Cardinal

Algonquin College, Financial Aid Office

1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Room C225

Ottawa ON  K2G 1V8

• Applications must be received by:
                Fall 2008 – September 26, 2008
                Winter 2009 – January 30, 2009
  .

“It’s very fulfilling to see immigrants learning English get recognition for their hard work and tremendous effort,” says David Roberts, the original contributor and attendee from Victoria, British Columbia to the first presentation of the Richard Altman Cook Memorial Awards on October 18, 2006.

The two award winners this year were Fatameh Nikta Oskoui for winter 2006 and Tahani Elghazaly for fall 2006. The first award winner, Rouhangiz Golmohammadian, also received her award.

“For those of us who speak English as a first-language we can not begin to comprehend learning the language, in a strange culture,” says Roberts. “I believe that it must be difficult to realize as an adult that you must develop new language skills while still adjusting to moving countries.”

The memorial award is in honour of Richard Altman Cook, a volunteer at the Language Institute. This yearly award is given to two students who excelled in their language program and are going onto a full-time program at Algonquin College.

“There were no other awards for students in the language program that would encourage advancing their studies in a career-oriented program,” says Roberts. “We hope that this will help students continue their passion and goes beyond a thank-you to provide material help.”

The students were required to have at least a B average upon graduation from ESL Level 8 at the Language Institute. Applicants can be entering any post secondary full time program to qualify for this unique award. One award winner is chosen each Fall and Winter.

One recipient, Rouhangiz Golmohammadian, was a lawyer until she moved to Canada. She had to change careers, help her two children become acclimatized, and learn English. She has completed her post-secondary law clerk education and now works in her field.

“I was lucky that my children were already proficient in English,” says Tahani Elghazaly, another recipient, and the winner of the Fall 2006 language institute bursary. “My children were able to help me grasp the language.”

She mentions while it was encouraging to have that support, it was discouraging to hear her entire family speak English. She would often be dependent on one of her family members to be a translator.

“It hindered me from being immersed in the culture,” says Elghazaly. “I found taking classes at the Language Institute has allowed me to make friends with my classmates and helped me succeed in Canada.”