Eligibility Criteria

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, Inuit or Metis (defined below);
  • Are residents of British Columbia, defined as having had a primary residence at an address in the province for 12 consecutive months prior to their enrollment date (commencement date of the studies for which the Award is applied).

Definition of "Aboriginal" for the purposes of these awards:
The Constitution Act of 1982 defines the Aboriginal peoples of Canada as "including the Indian, Inuit and Metis peoples of Canada." "First Nations" is the generally preferred term for Indian peoples of Canada. First Nations applicants can be status or non-status.

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

Apprenticeship/Certificate/Diploma applicants ($1,000-$2,000):

  • Begin their first or second year of study between May 1, 2017 and April 30, 2018;
  • Plan to study as a full-time student, as defined by their institution (usually 60% or more of a full course load)**;
  • Plan to study at a BC public post-secondary institution or an Aboriginal-run institution in one of the following eligible program areas:
    • any Industry Training Authority (ITA) approved trades training program;
    • apprenticeship programs;
    • certificate programs;
    • diploma programs.
    • *Please note that students pursuing associate degrees should apply in the Undergraduate category

Past Applicants & Recipients:

  • Past award recipients are eligible to apply for subsequent awards for up to 1 additional year provided they remain enrolled in their declared program of study (use Past Recipient form, found on this page);
  • Past award recipients who have completed their program may apply for another award if they are beginning studies in a new program;
  • Applicants who applied for the award in previous years but did not receive an award are encouraged to re-apply in the future.

Undergraduate Award Applicants ($2,000 for past award recipients):

  • Begin a year of full-time study (two semesters) between May 1, 2017 and April 30, 2018;
  • Plan to study as a full-time student, as defined by their institution (usually 60% or more of a full course load)**;
  • Plan to study at a BC public post-secondary institution or an
    Aboriginal-run institution.

*Please note that students pursuing a Law JD Degree or a MD Undergraduate Degree should apply to the Undergraduate category for the purposes of these awards.

*Students who are pursuing an associate degree with the intent of continuing on to a bachelor's degree should also apply in this category. 

Past Applicants & Recipients:

  • Past award recipients are eligible to apply for subsequent $2,000 awards for up to 3 additional years provided they remain enrolled in their declared program of undergraduate study (use Past Recipient form, found on this page);
  • Past award recipients who have completed their program may apply
    for another award if they are beginning studies in a new program;
  • Applicants who applied for the award in previous years but did not receive an award are encouraged to re-apply in the future.

Master's/Doctoral applicants ($5,000 annually - for the normal length of the program):

  • Begin a full year of studies (two semesters) in a master's program or doctoral (PhD) program between May 1, 2017 and April 30, 2018;
  • Plan to study as a full-time student, as defined by their institution (usually 60% or more of a full course load)**;
  • Plan to study at a BC public post-secondary institution or an
    Aboriginal-run institution.

*Please note that students pursuing a Law JD Degree or a MD Undergraduate Degree should apply to the Undergraduate category for the purposes of these awards.

Past Masters/Doctoral Award Recipients:

  • All new Master's and Doctoral awards are worth $5,000 per year and are renewable annually for the duration of the program in which the recipient is enrolled (maximum of 3 years from program commencement date for Master's programs and maximum of 6 years from program commencement date for Doctoral programs );
  • Past award recipients are eligible to renew their award in 2017 by submitting a Masters/Doctoral Renewal Form (found on this page) and the contact information for their program supervisor. The Society will then contact supervisors directly in spring 2017 to request a brief progress report. A positive progress report is required for payment of renewal awards.
  • Applicants who applied for the award in previous years but did not receive an award are encouraged to re-apply in the future.

Aboriginal Teacher Education Award applicants ($5,000 annually - for the standard length of the program):

  • Commence full-time study between May 1, 2017 and April 30, 2018;
  • Plan to study as a full-time student, as defined by their institution (usually 60% or more of a full course load)**;
  • Be registered in a teacher education program at a BC 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).

Past Recipients:

  • All Aboriginal Teacher Education Awards are worth $5,000 annually and are renewable for the standard length of the program (up to 4 years from the start date of the program). Past recipients of the Teacher Education Award will be sent an email by the Society in order to determine eligibility for a renewal. If you did not receive this email, please contact us at info@ikbbc.ca;
  • Applicants who applied for the award in previous years but did not receive an award are encouraged to re-apply in the future.

All Categories:

  • **Exceptions may apply to applicants who are prevented from studying full-time for medical reasons or disabilities;
  • Adult Basic Education and non-credit continuing education courses are not eligible.

Eligible BC public post-secondary and Aboriginal-run institutions include the following:

  • British Columbia Institute of Technology
  • Camosun College
  • Capilano University
  • College of New Caledonia
  • College of the Rockies
  • Douglas College
  • Emily Carr University of Art + Design
  • Justice Institute of British Columbia
  • Kwantlen Polytechnic University
  • Langara College
  • Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
  • North Island College
  • Northern Lights College
  • Northwest Community College
  • Okanagan College
  • Royal Roads University
  • Selkirk College
  • Simon Fraser University
  • Thompson Rivers University
  • University of British Columbia (including UBC-O)
  • University of the Fraser Valley
  • University of Northern BC
  • University of Victoria
  • Vancouver Community College
  • Vancouver Island University
  • Chemainus Native College
  • Community Education Authority, Fort Nelson First Nation
  • En’owkin Centre
  • Gitksan Wet'suwet'un Education Centre
  • Gitwangak Education Society
  • Kitimat Valley Institute
  • Native Education Centre
  • Ts'zil Learning Centre
  • Wilp Wilxo'oskwhl Nisga'a Institute
  • Other*

*If you are planning to attend a BC Aboriginal Institute that is not listed above, please contact the Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society by e-mail at info@ikbbc.ca or by phone at 1-844-478-4645 (toll free).