External awards describes scholarships, bursaries, and awards that are not administered by BCIT. Students interested in applying are responsible for inquiring and applying through the appropriate agency as indicated in the award description. In most cases, the awards are available to students from other institutions. Criteria and application procedures vary greatly and in some cases students must have a connection or affiliation to the donor organization.
The BCIT Student Financial Aid and Awards office publicizes external award information for general reference only. The information was current at the date of publication. Please note that government and other programs are subject to changes and modifications at any time.
External awards
Beedie Luminaries Scholarship Program
The Beedie Luminaries Scholarship Program
Scholarships for current grade 12 students who meet the following criteria:
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident for at least 3 years;
- Full-time resident of British Columbia;
- Enrolled in the final year of high school (grade 12), entering into full-time studies in a first bachelor degree, first diploma, or first trades program at one of the eligible public post-secondary institutions; program must be of a minimum of 2 years in duration and must commence in September;
- Ineligible for the BC Tuition Waiver Program (for former youth in care);
- Have a minimum cumulative average of 75% (or equivalent) for grade 11 and available grade 12 marks based on Universities Canada’s Calculation of Average Policy;
- Have faced financial adversity.
Value: $10,000 CAD per year for a bachelor degree program, tenable for up to 4 years of funding, or $7,500 CAD per year for a diploma or a trades program, tenable for up to 2 years of funding.
CICan Paul and Gerri Charette Bursary Program
The Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Paul and Gerri Charette Bursary Program provides financial support to college and institute students that demonstrate financial need and face challenges or barriers to participating in and completing post-secondary education. Students attending colleges or institutes in rural, remote, or northern areas will be given preference for the bursaries of up to $5,000 each.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be enrolled full time in the first or second year of a multi-year program at a CICan member institution
- Must be a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant, permanent resident, or a protected person
- Must provide a short essay describing your financial situation and community involvement
- Must demonstrate financial need by completing a budget
- Must provide THREE letters of support from people who know you. This can include a past or current employer, a teacher, a college administrator, a member of a community or campus organization, someone involved in student services or a faculty member. Please use reference form provided and submit with your application form.
2021 Applications are now closed.
Value: up to $5,000 each.
General awards
General Awards [PDF] include external scholarships, bursaries, and awards that are open to the general full-time student body.
Awards for Indigenous students
Visit Indigenous Initiatives for information on external scholarships, bursaries, and awards that are specifically for Indigenous Peoples who are full-time students.
The Norma Rose Point Student Success Grant for Aboriginal Students is offered internally through BCIT Indigenous Initiatives department.
CICan Bird Construction Inc. and Paul Charette Bursary Program
The Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Bird Construction Inc. and Paul Charette Bursary provides financial support to college and institute Indigenous students that demonstrate financial need and face challenges or barriers to participating in and completing post-secondary education.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be enrolled full time in the first or second year of a multi-year program at a CICan member institution
- Must be a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant, permanent resident, or a protected person
- Must identify as an Indigenous person
- Must provide a short essay describing your financial situation and community involvement
- Must demonstrate financial need by completing a budget
- Must provide THREE letters of support from people who know you. This can include a past or current employer, a teacher, a college administrator, a member of a community or campus organization, someone involved in student services or a faculty member. Please use reference form provided and submit with your application form.
2021 Applications are now closed.
Value: 4 bursaries of $2,500 each
Irving K. Barber Scholarships
The Irving K Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society provides scholarships and financial awards to help British Columbia post-secondary students achieve their educational goals. These include:
- Transfer Scholarships
- Indigenous Student Awards
- Indigenous Masters / Doctoral Awards
- Indigenous Teacher Education Awards
- One World International Scholarships
- Premier’s International Scholarships (not currently available)
- Women in Technology Scholarships
Students with disabilities
Visit Accessibility Services for information on external scholarships, bursaries, and awards that are specifically for students with disabilities.
Global Talent Loans Program
The Global Talent Loans Program is available to Internationally Trained Professionals (ITPs) who are Permanent Residents, Canadian Citizens, or Refugees in BC. This low-interest loan program is funded by the federal government to support ITPs with skills upgrading, retraining, credential recognition costs, and employment support. ISS of BC welcomes all ITPs to contact them.
Loan amounts can range from $1,000 – $15,000.
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