ISSofBC — Education Bursary Awards

About this award

Win one of 16 bursaries worth $2,500–$5,000 if you are a newcomer to BC heading into post-secondary — applications usually open in May each year.

ISSofBC's Education Bursary Awards are a portfolio of named bursaries — 22 awards distributing more than $60,000 in 2025 — for current and former Immigrant Services Society of BC clients pursuing post-secondary studies at accredited BC institutions. ISSofBC was incorporated in 1972 and has been serving newcomers in British Columbia continuously since 1968, making it the largest multicultural immigrant-serving agency in western Canada. The bursaries exist because ISSofBC has watched generations of clients arrive with strong qualifications but no financial bridge for retraining or recognition — these awards close that specific gap. Bursary amounts come in three tiers: $2,500, $3,000, and $5,000. Each is named after a donor or sector and carries its own focus. The Wolfgang Strigel Bursary ($5,000) supports STEM studies. The Stocking & Cumming Bursary ($5,000) backs business-related programs and prioritizes applicants engaged in community service. The Manning Elliott LLP Bursary ($3,000) is for accounting and business. The Jim Tallman Volunteer Bursary ($2,500) targets students heading into legal careers, and the Thrive Refuge Bursary ($2,500) is for music or fine arts students. Each bursary is one-time per recipient — you apply for the cycle in which you need the funds. To qualify you must be a current or former ISSofBC client (used services within the past three years), be admitted to an accredited BC post-secondary institution, demonstrate financial need, and show a record of community involvement. Applications for the 2026 awards open in May 2026 — apply directly through issbc.org/about/educationawards.

Can you get it?

• ✓ Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident or Protected Person or Refugee — citizenship requirement
• ✓ College, Undergraduate, Graduate, Professional — study level
• ✓ Resident of BC — provincial eligibility
• ✓ Studying all — field of study

How to apply

1. 1

   Review eligibility and gather your documents~1 hour

   Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.

2. 2

   Submit before the posted deadline~1 hour

   Check the official source for the current deadline — save a copy and submit at least 24 hours early.

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