Education – BCAAFC

The BCAAFC is honoured to connect with students on their post-secondary journey through the Post-Secondary Student Support Program and First Citizens Fund Student Bursary Program.

Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP)

Eligibility checklist:

Northwest Territory or Nunavut Inuit; or Status Indian students affiliated with a BC First Nation; or BC registered members (general list)
Resident of BC for 12 consecutive months at time of application
Acceptance or conditional acceptance to a post-secondary program with a recognized BC academic institution

What you need for your application:

Completed and signed application form (four pages, download below)
Documentary proof that you meet the eligibility criteria (Northwest Territory or Nunavut Inuit students or BC First Nation students)
Verification of dependents claimed (birth certificate)
Courses outlines and approximate fees for the applicable program

All set? Download the 2019-2020 application form here.

Once all funds for this term are allocated, applicants will be placed on a waitlist.

First Citizens Fund (FCF) Student Bursary Program

Eligibility checklist:

Indigenous post-secondary student (status, non-status, Métis, Inuit) in financial need
Permanent resident in BC for at least six months at time of application
- International students are not eligible unless a part of a BC program, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
Registered full-time (see below) in a minimum two-year academic program at a BC recognized post-secondary institution
- Undergraduate students, full-time: three full-credit courses per term
- Students with a disability affecting academic performance, full-time: two full-credit courses per term
- Graduate students, full-time: a letter from your academic supervisor confirming progress at a full-time level
A minimum 2.5 GPA or C+ grade equivalent for each semester of the term

What you need for your application:

From your post-secondary institution
- Your official transcript at the end of each semester of the term: MUST be submitted at the end of each term to qualify
- A completed, signed and dated application form for the proper academic year
- Proof of full-time registration
- Graduate students: a letter from your academic advisor and their contact information on the academic institution’s letterhead
Letters of support
- A letter written by the applicant on ancestry, family background, education, employment history, and career or academic goal
Supporting documents
- Evidence of Indigenous ancestry
- Students with a disability affecting academic performance (one of the following): a medical certificate from a licensed practitioner; a learning disability assessment; a verification of permanent disability form (signed and certified by the prescribing practitioner.

All set? Download the 2019-2020 application form here.

All set? Please send your applications to:

Education@bcaafc.com
Phone: (250) 388-5522

*Funding is limited, not all students may be funded. Partial funding may be provided.

Other education opportunities

Whether you are working towards a degree, diploma, certificate, or other qualification, we want you to access the financial resources applicable to you.

Indigenous Youth Internship Program (IYIP)—(ages 19 to 29, all Indigenous students) a government run 12-month paid internship program for Indigenous students living in British Columbia.

Indigenous Bursary Search Tool—look for additional bursaries that you may be eligible for.

Weengushk Film Institute (Manitoulin Island, ON)—courses accredited with Brock University (St. Catharines, ON), bursaries are available to cover tuition.

HERE’S WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS…

Working With Our Communities

“Thank you for the wonderful bursary. Your gift has gone to pay for spring semester and the cost of living while being a student. For your generous gift, I will forever be grateful. I will repay you with the work I will be doing in community as a result.”

Achieving Goals

“Thank you for your continued support of my education by endowing me with a student bursary. This bursary has gone towards my tuition at law school. It will help me to work towards my goal of Indigenous self determination and equality.”

Future Opportunities

“I just wanted to say thank you to the BCAAFC. I am now finished my Business Degree program and am interested in Sustainability Management. I would like to start my own business in green house gas measurement and accountability and provide solutions to one of the biggest problems of our time: climate change. I hope to one day hire, employ, and restore the land that First Nations people roam and enjoy.”

Motivation for Life-Long Learning

“My time at university has taught me to trust in my abilities to tackle any problem set before me, while my education has motivated me to be a life learner. I cannot thank you enough for your financial support in making my education a reality. I would certainly not be where I am today without your support.”