Purpose:

to assist eligible students gain access to, or maintain success in, post-secondary education programs.

Who can apply?

Applicants must be newcomers to Canada who arrived no more than five years before the application deadline (i.e. applicants for the October 31 2023 deadline must have arrived in Canada after October 30 2018). Applicants must be students registered in high school or post-secondary (college or university) education at the time of application or newcomers who are under 25 years of age and who wish to gain access to post-secondary education.

Applicants will need to give evidence of the financial hardships that prevent them from registering in their desired courses. International students are eligible; however, evidence will be required to show that their financial challenges are due to circumstances not foreseen when they applied to study in Canada.

What are the scholarships for?

Newcomer Scholarships can be used for tuition fees to take courses run by recognized institutions (e.g. college, university, community organization) and for any materials (e.g. books, stationery, equipment) necessary to complete the course(s). The goal of the course(s) should be to enable applicants to continue in a program in which they are already registered or to develop the skills required for the applicant to gain access into post-secondary education.

Eligible courses would include upgrading courses (not funded by the BC government) in language, math, science or other academic subjects, courses in the arts (e.g. art, design, music, theatre) or trades (e.g. auto mechanics, carpentry, cooking, hairdressing) and courses in personal and social development (e.g. critical thinking, online learning, public speaking, study skills). Funding for multiple courses, where required for access to or continuation in post-secondary study, will be considered. The maximum scholarship amount is $2,000. A maximum of two scholarships may be awarded to an applicant in any two-year period; however, scholarships will not be given for consecutive semesters in the same academic year.

How do I apply?

Please complete an application form. When completed, send the form and supporting documents by email to: awards@wesociety.org

Purpose:

To support community projects that will assist multiple students develop the confidence and skills required for success in post-secondary education.

Who can apply?

Applicants can be either newcomer students registered in high school or post-secondary education or community members applying on their behalf. All newcomer students participating in a project must be under 25 years of age and must have arrived in Canada no more than five years before the application deadline (i.e. participants in applications for the October 31 2021 deadline must have arrived in Canada after October 30 2016).

What are the grants for?

Community Grants are intended to support short-term projects (up to 12 months) that will assist a group of eligible newcomers to develop the knowledge, skills and personal qualities that will enable them to gain access to, or maintain success in, post-secondary education. Funding (up to $3,000 per application) can be used for the costs of group instruction or facilitation, as well as for equipment, materials and services required to complete the project. The cost of travel within BC, where necessary for completion of a project, can be included. Eligible projects would include group tutoring or seminars that help students develop specific academic or vocational skills, workshops on personal and social development (e.g. collaborative learning, communication skills, leadership, self-esteem building) and projects relating to key social and global issues (e.g. environmental concerns, human rights and responsibilities, social justice). Innovation is encouraged in the design of the project. Projects can be developed in partnership with other community organizations.

How do I apply?

Please complete an application form. When completed, send the form and supporting documents by email to: awards@wesociety.org

2021

Bonnaventure Mwela
Scholarship awarded for tuition and materials costs of two courses required for entry to Engineering program at Vancouver Island University.

2022 – April

Salem Abdullah
Scholarship awarded for costs of materials required for the 4^th year of the Digital Media Studies program at Vancouver Island University.

Maram Al Abtah
Scholarship awarded for tuition and materials’ costs of courses in the 1^st year of the Bachelor of Business Administration program at Vancouver Island University.

Tarek Kayal
Scholarship awarded for costs of tuition for courses required to complete the Integrated Engineering Technologist Diploma at Vancouver Island University.

2022 – October

Harleen Kaur Kalra
Scholarship awarded for costs of tuition for required courses in the Master’s in Educational Leadership program at Vancouver Island University.

Nima Mehrabany
Scholarship awarded for costs of tuition for courses required to complete the Diploma in Tourism Management at Vancouver Island University.