Joyce Family Foundation Award - Yukon University

What you will need

• ✓ Completed Student Financial Award Application Form
• ✓ A letter, audio, or visual file answering: Which program do you wish to transition into?, What challenges have you overcome to be here?, and How will your program of choice support your future hopes and aspirations?
• ✓ A community reference letter, audio, or visual file that speaks to your resilience in the face of adversity and your potential for success in post-secondary studies (suitable sources include education mentors, coaches, First Nation Post-Secondary Education Coordinators, First Nation Council members, Elders, pastors, current employers, or community organization members)

About this award

You can receive one of two $3,000 bursaries. As a bursary, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. You may be able to renew this award up to two times if you maintain good academic standing and actively participate in the Peer to Peer Mentor program. This is for you if you are a first-time student at Yukon University who has faced significant financial barriers and can show that you have overcome obstacles and adversity to pursue your education. For 2027, applications open March 1 and you must submit yours by July 15. When you apply, ask Yukon University / Joyce Family Foundation how and when you will hear back — whether by email, phone, or through the student portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Yukon University / Joyce Family Foundation how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Yukon University / Joyce Family 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. To keep this award for multiple years, you must remain in good academic standing and be an active participant in the Peer to Peer Mentor program. Since specific renewal steps aren't listed, confirm with Yukon University / Joyce Family Foundation exactly what you need to maintain to secure the funding for a second or third year.

Who qualifies

You must be a first-time student at Yukon University entering Year One of the University Access Pathways program. You must be no more than 23 years of age on the first day of classes. You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a protected person (someone with refugee or protected-person status in Canada) from Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, or from the region north of the 55th parallel in Alberta or British Columbia. A preference will be given to those who are ineligible to access other sources of funding. You must also be in good academic standing.

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.

• ✓ Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
• ✓ Open to undergraduate students
• ✓ Resident of Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alberta or British Columbia
• ✓ Studying University Access Pathways program

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

   Submit your application

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

Tips for applying

• Personal StatementAvoid giving generic answers about your goals. Instead, tell a specific story about the challenges you overcame to get to this point and how your chosen program connects to your future aspirations. Record an audio or video file if you feel you can express your resilience more powerfully through speaking than writing.
• ReferencesAvoid using a generic character reference. Instead, ask a mentor, coach, Elder, or First Nation Post-Secondary Education Coordinator to write about your specific ability to handle adversity. Ensure your referee focuses on your potential for success in post-secondary studies.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the July 15 deadline to gather your documents. Instead, reach out to your community references early so they have time to record their files or write their letters. Submit your materials via email or in-person at the Ayamdigut Campus Office of the Registrar as soon as they are ready.
• RealismAvoid counting on this award just because you meet the age and location requirements. Instead, remember that only two bursaries are available annually and preference is given to those without other funding options. Focus your application on proving your resilience and your need for this specific support.

Questions students ask

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