Scholarships and bursaries provide financial support to help you cover the costs of going to school. They can help cover a variety of expenses including tuition, text books, housing, food, and other living essentials.
What are grants, bursaries, scholarships video:
It depends. Start by looking for funding for your age group and care status. Here’s what’s out there:
Under 19 years old
Belonging Network Multiple deadlines
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) Multiple deadlines
BC Federation of Foster Parents (BCFFP) Multiple deadlines
Canada Post awards for Indigenous students August 31st deadline
Children’s Aid Foundation Multiple deadlines
Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks (FBCYICN) March, July and October deadlines
Federation of Community Social Services (FCSS) Applications open early 2024
HSBC National Transformation Project
Indspire Scholarships February 1st, August 1st and November 1st deadlines
Irving K Barber Scholarship
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Tuition Waiver program
Simon Fraser University Tuition Assistance Program
Storwell Bursary Program December 31st deadline
UBC Tuition Waiver Program
University of Victoria Tuition Waiver program
Vancouver Film Studio Indigenous Bursaries November 30th deadline
Youth Educational Assistance Fund
19-24 years old
Belonging Network Multiple deadlines
Agreement with Young Adults (AYA)
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) Multiple deadlines
BC Federation of Foster Parents (BCFFP) Multiple deadlines
BCIT Tuition Waiver program
Canada Post awards for Indigenous students August 31st deadline
Children’s Aid Foundation Multiple deadlines
Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks (FBCYICN) March, July and October deadlines
Federation of Community Social Services (FCSS) Applications open early 2024
HSBC National Transformation Project
Indspire Scholarships February 1st, August 1st and November 1st deadlines
Irving K Barber Scholarship
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Langara Bursary program
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Tuition Waiver program
Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) April 15th deadline
Simon Fraser University Tuition Assistance Program
Storwell Bursary Program December 31st deadline
UBC Tuition Waiver Program
University of Victoria Tuition Waiver
Vancouver Film Studio Indigenous Bursaries November 30th deadline
Vancouver Island Tuition Waiver
Youth Educational Assistance Fund
Over 24 years old
Belonging Network Multiple deadlines
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) Multiple deadlines
BC Federation of Foster Parents (BCFFP) Multiple deadlines
BCIT Tuition Waiver program
Canada Post awards for Indigenous students August 31st deadline
Children’s Aid Foundation Multiple deadlines
Federation of Community Social Services (FCSS) Applications open early 2024
HSBC National Transformation Project
Indspire Scholarships February 1st, August 1st and November 1st deadlines
Irving K Barber Scholarship
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Langara Bursary program
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Tuition Waiver program
Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) April 15th deadline
UBC Tuition Waiver Program
University of Victoria Tuition Waiver program
Vancouver Film Studio Indigenous Bursaries November 30th deadline
Vancouver Island Tuition Waiver
Youth Educational Assistance Fund (for 19 – 24, but you can appeal.)
Under 19 to 25 years old
Belonging Network Multiple deadlines
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) Multiple deadlines
BC Federation of Foster Parents (BCFFP) Multiple deadlines
Canada Post awards for Indigenous students August 31st deadline
Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks (FBCYICN) March, July and October deadlines
Federation of Community Social Services (FCSS) Applications open early 2024
HSBC National Transformation Project
Indspire Scholarships February 1st, August 1st and November 1st deadlines
Irving K Barber Scholarship
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Simon Fraser University Tuition Assistance Program
Storwell Bursary Program December 31st deadline
UBC Tuition Waiver Program
University of Victoria Tuition Waiver program
Vancouver Film Studio Indigenous Bursaries November 30th deadline
Over 24 years old
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) Multiple deadlines
Canada Post awards for Indigenous students August 31st deadline
HSBC National Transformation Project
Indspire Scholarships February 1st, August 1st and November 1st deadlines
Irving K Barber Scholarship
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
UBC Tuition Waiver Program
University of Victoria Tuition Waiver program
Vancouver Film Studio Indigenous Bursaries November 30th deadline
Under 19 years old
Belonging Network Multiple deadlines
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) Multiple deadlines
BC Federation of Foster Parents (BCFFP) Multiple deadlines
Canada Post awards for Indigenous students Applications open May 2024
Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks (FBCYICN) March, July and October deadlines
Federation of Community Social Services (FCSS) Applications open early 2024
HSBC National Transformation Project
Indspire Scholarships February 1st, August 1st and November 1st deadlines
Irving K Barber Scholarship Applications open early 2024
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Tuition Waiver program
Simon Fraser University Tuition Assistance Program
Storwell Bursary Program December 31st deadline
UBC Tuition Waiver Program
University of Victoria Tuition Waiver program
Vancouver Film Studio Indigenous Bursaries November 30th deadline
19-24 years old
Belonging Network Multiple deadlines
Agreement with Young Adults (AYA)
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) Multiple deadlines
BC Federation of Foster Parents (BCFFP) Multiple deadlines
BCIT Tuition Waiver program
Canada Post awards for Indigenous students August 31st deadline
Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks (FBCYICN) March, July and October deadlines
Federation of Community Social Services (FCSS) Applications open early 2024
HSBC National Transformation Project
Indspire Scholarships February 1st, August 1st and November 1st deadlines
Irving K Barber Scholarship Applications open early 2024
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Langara Bursary program
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Tuition Waiver program
Simon Fraser University Tuition Assistance Program
Storwell Bursary Program December 31st deadline
UBC Tuition Waiver Program
University of Victoria Tuition Waiver program
Vancouver Film Studio Indigenous Bursaries November 30th deadline
Vancouver Island Tuition Waiver
Over 24 years old
Belonging Network Multiple deadlines
BCIT Tuition Waiver program
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) Multiple deadlines
BC Federation of Foster Parents (BCFFP) Multiple deadlines
Canada Post awards for Indigenous students August 31st deadline
Federation of Community Social Services (FCSS) Applications open early 2024
HSBC National Transformation Project
Indspire Scholarships February 1st, August 1st and November 1st deadlines
Irving K Barber Scholarship
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Langara Bursary program
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Tuition Waiver program
UBC Tuition Waiver Program
Vancouver Island Tuition Waiver
University of Victoria Tuition Waiver program
Vancouver Film Studio Indigenous Bursaries November 30th deadline
Belonging Network Multiple deadlines
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) Multiple deadlines
Canada Post awards for Indigenous students August 31st deadline
HSBC National Transformation Project
Indspire Scholarships February 1st, August 1st and November 1st deadlines
Irving K Barber Scholarship
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Storwell Bursary Program December 31st deadline
University of Victoria Tuition Waiver program
Vancouver Film Studio Indigenous Bursaries November 30th deadline
Insider Tip
When you leave care, get a letter indicating your care status because many of the bursaries require you to “prove” you were in care. If you have already left care, you can contact your last social worker’s office and ask them to provide you the information. Because of privacy issues you might have to go into an office and show ID to get that information.
You can often apply online, but the program’s website will have more info. You might need these things to apply:
It depends on the program. Check the program’s website for the amount of funding.
Insider Tip
Not all bursaries will give you the full amount listed on the website. Sometimes the organization will only have a certain amount of money to give out and will divide it among the best applicants. If you’re not sure whether you’ll get the full amount, contact the organization and ask them.
Check the program’s website to find out what the funding will cover. Some only pay tuition. Others allow for more flexibility in how you spend the money.
