Students in plaza

External Awards with Upcoming Deadlines

External awards include scholarships, awards, and bursaries that are available to all students through agencies unaffiliated with Vancouver Island University. Below are a few external awards with upcoming deadlines. To review the full list of external awards, please visit Financial Aid & Awards' External Awards page.

Aboriginal Awards

AFOA Canada - Indigenous Learning Centre Bursary
Indigenous Learning Centre (ILC) will award three bursaries from funding made available through Worth Allaye-Chan Investment Counsel Raymond James. All bursaries are valued at $1,000 each. Deadline: July 7, 2021

BC Aboriginal Child Care Society Scholarships & Awards
Various scholarships and awards given to honour the hard work and dedication of people who support Indigenous children and their families in BC. Deadline: July 31, 2021

Canada Post Aboriginal Education Incentive Awards
Canada Post gives $2,000 grants to Indigenous Peoples who have renewed their educational learning. Deadline: Aug 31, 2021

Cenovus Indigenous Scholarship Program
Scholarships for Indigenous students residing in Cenovus Energy operating areas who are pursuing a full-time degree, diploma or certified trade. These scholarships are valued at $3,500 and are renewable for up to four years, or to the completion of your first degree. Applications are now available.

Helen Bassett Commemorative Student Award
This award of $1,000 is given to four indigenous women, two-spirited or gender diverse individuals, one from each direction, who is 30 years and under. Applicants must be currently enrolled in post-secondary studies, with priority given to those studying law, justice studies, and politics, and show their dedication to the betterment of indigenous lives. Deadline: July 16, 2021

ḴEL,ḴELOŦEN ȻE S,ISTEW̱ (Indigenous Fund Opportunity)

The first ḴEL,ḴELOŦEN ȻE S,ISTEW̱ award of $5000 will be presented to one successful applicant this November for the 2021/2022 academic year. Applications open June 21, 2021 and deadline is September 30, 2021

Female Awards

Women in the Trade Scholarship
The scholarship will cover tuition, fees, and books only payable to an accredited institution or trade specific school. If covering other expenses, the scholarship will be categorized as taxable income. Deadline: Sept 30, 2021

Students with Permanent Disabilities Awards

Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division - Scholarships & Bursaries
Several awards are available each year to BC post-secondary students who live with mental illness or addiction. Deadline: July 12, 2021

CNIB Foundation Scholarships
Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for Canadian post-secondary students who are blind or partially sighted. Also offers $5,000 and $12,500 to support students who are blind or partially sighted in master’s-level studies. Deadline: June 30, 2021

Youth in Care Awards

BC Federation of Foster Parent Association Bursaries
Various bursaries for youth (opens Sept 15, 2021)

Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks - Dream Fund
Supports young people in and from care to pursue their careers and achieve their goals through education and skill building. Includes two different bursaries 3 times per year. (Deadline: July 2, 2021) 

Genevier Sullivan Memorial Bursaries for Indigenous Former Youth in Care
Three bursaries for mature (27 years+) Indigenous students who are Former Youth in Care and one bursary for any Indigenous Former youth in Care. (Deadline: Oct 1, 2021)