Awards for both the BC Aboriginal Student Award and the Aboriginal Teacher Education Award will be determined on a competitive basis to applicants who

• plan to study in a program with a minimum length of 9 weeks leading to a post-secondary credential;
• are First Nations (status or non-status), Metis or Inuit (defined below);
• are residents of British Columbia - defined as having had a primary residence at an address in the province for at least the past 12 consecutive months prior to the April 10, 2012 application deadline;

In addition, applicants must meet the following award-specific criteria:

BC Aboriginal Student Award applicants must:

• begin their first or second year of study between January 1, 2012 and May 15, 2013
• plan to study as a full-time student - defined by their institution (usually 60% or more of a full course load)**;
• plan to study at BC public post-secondary institutions or Aboriginal controlled institute in one of the following eligible program areas:
  • any Industry Training Authority (ITA) approved trades training program;
  • apprenticeship programs;
  • certificate programs;
  • diploma programs;
  • undergraduate degree programs; and
  • graduate degree programs.

Adult Basic Education and non-credit continuing education courses are not eligible.

Past Applicants & Recipients:

• Past award recipients are eligible to apply for subsequent awards for up to 4 years provided they remain enrolled in their declared program of study;
• Past award recipients who have completed their program may apply for another award for studies in a new program if beginning year one or two of their program;
• Applicants who applied for the award in past years but did not receive an award are encouraged to re-apply if still beginning year one or two of their program.

Aboriginal Teacher Education Award applicants must:

• begin their second year (or later) of study between January 1, 2012 and May 15, 2013.
• plan to study as a full-time student - defined by their institution (usually 60% or more of a full course load)**
• be registered in a teacher education program at a B.C. university, leading to certification by the British Columbia Teachers’ Council (includes programs leading to a Developmental Standard Term Certificate in First Nations Language and Culture).

**Exceptions may apply to applicants who are prevented from studying full-time for medical reasons or disabilities.