Awards, bursaries & scholarships…
...what’s the difference?
Awards are any kind of non-repayable funding granted to students. The word is used interchangeably with bursary or scholarship. At Camosun, each School (Access, Arts and Science, Business, Health and Human Services, Trades and Technology) annually recognizes students with awards and scholarships (PDF) .Applications are required for some and not others. Some are awarded solely on excellent achievement or other criteria.
- Bursaries are non-repayable awards to students based on financial need and satisfactory academic standing, sometimes including additional criteria such as program of study or other requirements.
- Scholarships are non-repayable awards to students based on merit or high academic achievement usually including additional criteria such as volunteer service, affiliation with a particular organization or other requirements.
- External awards (PDF) are non-repayable awards to students offered by external organizations and donors outside Camosun College. These include both bursaries and scholarships which have separate application processes, criteria, award amounts and deadline dates. Some “external“ awards on our list are actually offered through Camosun College, however, because they require special applications and criteria, they are treated as external.
Foundation bursaries
What is a bursary?
Bursaries are non-repayable awards generously donated to Camosun College Foundation by individuals, service organizations and businesses in our community to assist students financially.
You are eligible to apply if you:
- are enrolled in a full-time post-secondary program at Camosun College (minimum 60% of a full-time course load or 40% for students with a permanent disability who have been approved by StudentAid BC)
- are a Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant
- are a new student or continuing student who has successfully completed your last full-time period of study (C grades or higher)
- are not on a co-op/internship work term
- are able to demonstrate financial need
Bursary information and important points
- Paper applications are no longer available
- Separate applications are no longer required for specific bursaries
- Be sure to notify Financial Aid & Awards if your address changes
- If your email address is shared by more than one person, only one bursary application will be processed per email address
- Due to high numbers of applications, only students who are awarded bursaries will be notified by mail by the end of March
- All applications are assessed and processed by Financial Aid & Awards
- Names of students who receive bursaries and their qualifying information will be shared with donors and the Camosun College Foundation
- Comprehensive list of bursaries and general information—not all bursaries listed are available in each bursary application period
How to apply
- Link to apply online for bursaries is available in early September and again in early January
- Complete only one bursary application for each bursary application period; multiple applications are not processed
- Information collected in Section D: Additional Criteria is optional and is used to determine eligibility for specific bursaries
- Review your application and make corrections before submitting
- Changes to your application are not permitted after submitting
- Fall semester bursary application deadline is 4pm on second Tuesday in October
- Winter semester bursary application deadline is 4pm on second Tuesday in February
- Late applications are not processed
Scholarships & awards
Camosun annually gives awards for outstanding student achievement at ceremonies. Please inquire at your School office to identify school-specific awards and scholarships. Check the following links for more information:
- Aboriginal Education & Community Connections Awards
- Centre for Sport and Exercise Education
- Chargers Intercollegiate Athletics
- Co-op Student of the Year Award
- School of Access Awards
School of Access and some Aboriginal Education & Community Connections awards are presented at an annual May ceremony. Some awards require applications, while others require nominations by school faculty/staff only. - School of Arts and Science Awards & Scholarships
Most School of Arts & Science Awards/Scholarships are presented at an annual September ceremony. Some awards/scholarships require applications, while others do not. - School of Business
- School of Health and Human Services
- School of Trades and Technology
External awards, scholarships and bursaries
Research and follow application instructions to apply for external awards, bursaries and scholarships. Donors may include service clubs, labour unions, businesses, and other organizations. These groups set guidelines, process applications, and select and notify candidates. Research resources are available at both Financial Aid & Awards offices.
