John Willoughby Scholarship Fund

What you will need

• ✓ Completed application form
• ✓ A personal letter detailing your academic study, volunteer pursuits, community involvement, and why you are an excellent candidate
• ✓ 2 letters of reference from people involved with your studies or community service
• ✓ Your most current academic transcripts
• ✓ Optional: a current photo for promotional purposes

About this award

You will receive a minimum of $1,000. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a student pursuing a career in healthcare, such as nursing, physiotherapy, or respiratory therapy, and you want to combine your academic success with a history of helping others in your community. You must submit your application by April 1st. No notification timeline is posted publicly — when you apply, ask BC Interior Community Foundation how and when you'll hear back via email, portal, or phone. Selection criteria aren't published — ask BC Interior Community Foundation how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. The money is sent directly to your account at the university or college in Canada where you are registered. Confirm the exact payment schedule with BC Interior Community Foundation so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with BC Interior Community Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must have completed your secondary education in BC. This award is open to recent graduates, mature students, and graduate students. You must be enrolled in a health-related course in Canada, such as Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, or as a Cardiac or Respiratory Technician. If you are pursuing a Medical Doctorate, you are eligible when you enter Medical School, but not while you are taking a BSc (Bachelor of Science). A preference will be given to you if you demonstrate academic excellence and volunteer within your community.

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, undergraduate or graduate students
• ✓ Resident of British Columbia
• ✓ Studying Nursing, Medicine, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Cardiac Technician or Respiratory Technician

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

   Submit your application

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

Tips for applying

• ReferencesAvoid using references who only know you casually. Instead, ask two people who were directly involved with your studies or your community service to write your letters of reference.
• StrategyAvoid submitting a partial application. Instead, double-check your checklist for the letter, two references, and transcripts, as BC Interior Community Foundation will not consider incomplete packages.
• RealismAvoid assuming that being in a health program guarantees a win. Instead, focus on highlighting your local BC roots and your specific volunteer contributions to stand out from other health students.

Questions students ask

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