Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award

What you will need

• ✓ Completed application for admission to University of British Columbia
• ✓ One nomination from a guidance counselor, principal, administrator, or registered non-profit organization
• ✓ One reference from a teacher familiar with your work in your area of study
• ✓ Official documents demonstrating significant financial need (family gross income, expenses, and assets)
• ✓ Responses to 4 essay questions (approximately 150-250 words each)
• ✓ Proof of meeting the English Language Admission Standard by January 31

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact University of British Columbia to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you have achieved academic excellence while living in an impoverished or war-torn area and cannot attend university without meaningful financial help. You apply through UBC's International Scholars Program, after first applying for admission to UBC. You do not pick this award: UBC considers you for every award in the program you qualify for. The application is due November 15 and your required documents by January 31. Results are released on a rolling basis from February to April, and UBC will tell you by early- to mid-April whether you received an award. Selection involves a financial assessment of your family's gross income, assets, and expenses, alongside a review of your academic records and essays. You may also be invited to a video interview. UBC looks for academic excellence achieved under challenging circumstances, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to making a positive impact in your community. If you apply to the International Scholars Program, you will not be considered for UBC's merit-based awards. Ask University of British Columbia 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 University of British Columbia whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be an international student who will study in Canada on a Canadian study permit and you must be applying for your first undergraduate degree. You must enter University of British Columbia directly from an accredited secondary school. For the 2027 Winter session, you must have graduated from high school no earlier than June 2026. You must demonstrate superior academic achievement by achieving all As or an equivalent standard and meet the university's English Language Admission Standard. You must also prove a significant level of financial need, meaning it would be impossible for you to pursue a degree without meaningful help because your family cannot afford a significant level of costs and lacks external funding. Note that this award is not available for the Bachelor of Nursing (Okanagan and Vancouver), Bachelor of Dental Science in Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, Bachelor + Master of Management degree, dual degrees, joint degrees between UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver, or joint degrees with other post-secondary institutions.

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.

• ✓ International student
• ✓ 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

   Order your transcript1–2 weeks

   Your school's registrar can take a week or two.

3. 3

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

4. 4

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

5. 5

   Submit your application

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

Tips for applying

• EssaysAvoid writing generic responses to the 4 essay questions. Instead, use the 150-250 word limit to share specific examples of your leadership and how you have made a positive impact in your community. Draft your answers in a separate document first to polish your wording.
• ReferencesAvoid choosing the same person for both roles. Instead, ensure your nominator (like a principal or counselor) focuses on your character and goals, while your teacher referee focuses on your academic work in your chosen field. Send them the invitation emails early so they have time to respond.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the last minute to start your application. Instead, begin the process in September or early October because you must first apply for admission to the university before you can even access the award application. Map out your financial documents early so you aren't rushing to find family asset records in November.
• RealismAvoid ignoring the strict eligibility bars. Instead, double-check that your chosen degree is not on the excluded list, such as Nursing or Dental Hygiene, before you spend hours on the essays. If you don't meet the "all As" academic standard, look at the university's merit-based options instead.

Questions students ask

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