Harambee Refugee Award

What you will need

• ✓ Online in-course scholarship application submitted between February 15 and April 30
• ✓ 100-word statement explaining your involvement in university or community activities
• ✓ Letter from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in the UVic International Centre for Students confirming protected person or refugee status
• ✓ Supporting documentation emailed to incourse@uvic.ca by April 30

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted for this award — contact University of Victoria – Student Awards & Financial Aid to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. As a scholarship, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you identify as a woman student from an African country (including those who immigrated to Canada from Africa) and have refugee or protected-person status. You apply online between February 15 and April 30. When you apply, ask University of Victoria – Student Awards & Financial Aid how and when you'll hear back – whether by email, portal, or phone. One award is given. It is based on financial need and your involvement in university or community activities, with a preference for a Varsity athlete. Ask University of Victoria – Student Awards & Financial Aid 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 Victoria – Student Awards & Financial Aid whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be an undergraduate student who has completed a minimum of 12.0 units for credit, with at least 10.5 units graded using the standard nine point scale, in two of the three terms of study in the previous academic year (May to April). To be eligible, you must also be registered in a minimum of 9.00 units in two of the three terms of study in the May to April academic year. You must identify as a woman student from an African country, or have immigrated to Canada from an African country, have protected person or refugee status (confirmed by a letter from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant at the UVic International Centre for Students), and demonstrate financial need. You must show involvement in university or community activities; a preference is given to Varsity athletes.

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.

• ✓ Protected person or refugee
• ✓ Open to undergraduate students

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

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

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

3. 3

   Write your essay

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

4. 4

   Submit your application

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

Tips for applying

• Community InvolvementAvoid writing a vague list of clubs you joined. Instead, use your 100-word statement to describe one specific way your activity helped others. Focus on the impact you made in your community.
• SupportAvoid submitting a generic letter of status. Instead, ensure your letter comes specifically from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC – a licensed professional who advises on immigration law) at the UVic International Centre for Students.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the last minute to upload documents. Instead, email your supporting paperwork to incourse@uvic.ca as soon as you finish your online form to ensure nothing is missed by the April 30 deadline.
• RealismAvoid overlooking the unit requirements. Instead, check your transcript to confirm you have the required 12.0 completed units and 10.5 graded units before spending time on the statement.

Questions students ask

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