First Citizens Fund

Who is Eligible?

Post-secondary students of Indigenous ancestry (status, non-status, Métis, Inuit) who are:

• Permanent residents of British Columbia

• Registered in a BC recognized post-secondary institution

• With a minimum GPA of 2.5 or a C+ grade equivalent

Please note: students are not eligible to receive a bursary to repeat a course or academic year.

Please submit applications digitally if possible. If you are not able to submit them digitally, mail them as soon as possible and account for mailing time.

Application Information

Applications must be completed and submitted to the Education Coordinator by 5pm on the application deadline. Students must submit a new application for each semester. A complete application includes…

• Application Form – completed and signed

• A copy of your Status Card (if applicable) – front and back (If you are non-status, you must provide a copy of your birth certificate and a copy of your parent(s) status card, or other supporting evidence/documentation of Indigenous ancestry.)

• Proof of Registration/Enrollment – from the post-secondary institution you attend

• Cost of tuition, Books, and Fees – documentation from your school that states tuition costs for the semester that you are applying for

• Unofficial Transcripts/Grades – including your most recent semester/schooling

• A Letter of Recommendation from a recognized Indigenous organization – speaking to your character, community involvement, or otherwise supporting your FCF application

• A Personal Letter – self-written letter on family background, ancestry, education and employment history, and career and personal goals

• For applicants completing graduate studies – if you do not have transcripts, please submit a letter from your supervisor confirming that you are demonstrating satisfactory progress in your program

If you are a successful candidate, you must submit your Official Transcripts including your most recent schooling as soon as they are made available.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

[Click Here for the FCF Application Form for the 2023-2024 Academic Year]

Contact Information

Please forward all applications, correspondence, inquiries, and official transcripts to the following:

Nathan Ponce
Education Coordinator
Email: education@bcaafc.com
Phone: (250) 388-5522 Ext. 216

BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
Education Coordinator
551 Chatham Street
Victoria, BC V8T 1E1

Application Deadlines

September 15, 2023 – for students applying for the Summer 2023 semester (May-August)

January 15, 2024 – for students applying for the Fall 2023 semester (September-December)

May 15, 2024 – for students applying for the Winter 2024 semester (January-April)

This bursary is awarded after the successful completion of the semester. Please submit your application within a few weeks of the end of the semester for which you are applying.

How are applications evaluated?

Applications from eligible students will be assessed based on financial need, giving priority to those who do not receive other financial support for their education. Other factors will be taken into consideration such as excellent grades, excellent personal letter, single parents, number of dependents.

Please note: funding is limited, not all applicants may be awarded a bursary, and we cannot guarantee consecutive or multiple bursaries per student.