Abbotsford Community Foundation Student Awards Program

What you will need

• ✓ Online application submitted between February 1 and February 27

About this award

You can receive a scholarship or bursary starting at $500 and going up to $5,000 per award. As these are grants, not loans, you do not have to pay this money back. The Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) offers approximately 300 different awards annually across various fields of study. This is for you if you are a local high school senior in the City of Abbotsford regardless of your GPA. Whether you are focused on athletics, the arts, trades, vocational careers, or simply need financial help to attend school, there is likely an award that matches your identity and goals. You must apply online between February 1 and February 27. You will receive an award letter by the end of May, and you will be presented with your award at your June convocation ceremony. If you miss the ceremony, you have a maximum of 18 months to claim your award, though you can contact the Abbotsford Community Foundation to request a limited extension for special circumstances. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Abbotsford Community Foundation how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Abbotsford Community Foundation during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Abbotsford Community Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be a Grade 12 student at any of the nine Abbotsford School Board’s High Schools or the Mennonite Educational Institute (MEI — a private Christian school in Abbotsford). You must be graduating from one of these participating secondary schools in the City of Abbotsford. You can apply for up to 10 different awards within the program.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Open to high school students
• ✓ Resident of British Columbia

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• Community LeadershipAvoid just listing your volunteer hours. Instead, describe how your service helped the local Abbotsford community. Write about one specific project where you made a difference.
• SupportAvoid using a generic teacher for every reference. Instead, choose a mentor who can speak to the specific trait—like athletic excellence or artistic talent—that the award requires. Ask them to provide a concrete example of your skill.
• StrategyAvoid applying for only one award. Instead, browse the full directory and apply for up to 10 different options that match your interests. This increases your chances of winning at least one grant.
• RealismAvoid assuming you need a perfect GPA to qualify. Instead, look for awards that prioritize vocational skills, trades, or community involvement. Focus your application on the specific strengths the donor is looking for.

Questions students ask

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