Tuition help provided for former youth in care

BC students who are former youth in care and who need financial help to attend university are eligible for a new award established by the University of Victoria to cover the cost of their tuition.

Starting in the coming academic year, the award will be given to up to five eligible students a year for their undergraduate degree. Funding covers tuition costs, excluding mandatory fees, for eight terms or completion of the degree, whichever comes first.

UVic established the two-year pilot program in response to the Representative for Child and Youth’s request in 2013 that BC universities and colleges provide tuition support for students who have difficulty paying for post-secondary studies.

“We have a strong commitment to ensuring our academic programs and the resulting opportunities are accessible to all qualified applicants,” says Jim Dunsdon, associate vice-president of student affairs. “We hope this new award will make it easier for students who have already overcome so many barriers in their lives to pursue their educational and career goals.”

Students are eligible if they lived formerly in government care, are admitted to UVic and are registered in their first undergraduate program. The deadline for applications is June 30. If more than five eligible applicants apply before the deadline, the students with the highest admission average will receive the award. Also, students who transfer to UVic from a university or college to complete their first undergraduate degree and meet all eligibility criteria will be considered.

Information on criteria and application process is available from the office of Student Awards and Financial Aid by emailing finaid@uvic.ca

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