For more information about the award and the application process, please read below.
1. What are the BC Aboriginal Student Award and the Aboriginal Teacher Education Award?
The BC Aboriginal Student Award was established in 2008 as part of the Provincial Government’s strategy to improve Aboriginal access and achievement. Its purpose is to support Aboriginal people in getting post-secondary education by reducing financial barriers. The Aboriginal Teacher Education Award is a new award program that will support Aboriginal students enrolled in a teacher education program at a public post-secondary in British Columbia.
2. Where can I get an application for these awards?
Application forms will be available from this website on the How To Apply page.
3. Where do I send my application for consideration?
Submit your completed application form and all required documents to the Victoria Foundation at the address on the application form.
4. What is the deadline to submit my application?
Application forms and all supporting documents, including letters of reference, will be accepted until April 23. If submitted by mail, the envelope must be post-stamped no later than April 23, 2012.
5. What if I don’t have everything required by the deadline? Can I send information in later?
No. To be fair to all applicants, applications or letters of reference which are not post-stamped, or received by April 23, will NOT be accepted.
6. When will I know if I have won an award?
You will be notified if you have been chosen to receive an award by June.
7. Can I get my application/supporting documentation back after it is considered for this award?
Complete applications with supporting documentation that have been forwarded for adjudication will not be returned. After having been considered in the adjudication process, they become the property of the adjudication committee chair appointed by the Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society. Documents will be held in confidence subject to the disclosure provisions of the applicable privacy legislation for at least one year. Any applications that are determined to be incomplete will not be sent on for adjudication and will be held by the Society for one year.
8. If I am successful, how and when will I receive the award?
The Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society will request confirmation of enrollment from the post-secondary institution where you enrolled, after the start of your program. Awards will be mailed to you once enrollment has been confirmed. Please be sure to inform us of address changes.
9. If I am not successful, can I appeal?
There is no appeal process. The applications are checked for completeness and eligibility by staff and are then given to an impartial BC-wide adjudication committee for decisions. The adjudication committee's decisions are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society. All available awards will follow this process and are awarded based on the adjudication committee's determinations. If you have questions or concerns regarding this process, please advise the adjudication committee chair in writing. Letters should be sent to:
Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society
Aboriginal Student Awards Adjudication Committee Chair
#109 – 645 Fort St.
Victoria, BC V8W 1G2
10. Who decides which students will be awarded the funding?
A provincial adjudication committee makes all award decisions. The committee includes Aboriginal education counsellors and student aid professionals.
11. What is government’s role in these awards?
Government contributed $10 million to establish an endowment to fund the BC Aboriginal Student Award program, plus an additional $500,000 to support the launch of the program. Government also contributed $2 million in funding for the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program. Three government representatives sit on the 10-member board of the Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society.
12. What is the Victoria Foundation’s role in these awards?
The Victoria Foundation and the Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society have partnered in managing and distributing awards from the fund. Under the partnership, the Victoria Foundation administers and coordinates the Society’s scholarship programs including receiving applications, forwarding them to the adjudication committee for consideration, and communicating with applicants.