Joyce Family Foundation Bursary

What you will need

• ✓ Completed RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic) General Application
• ✓ Reference letter from an individual who can speak to your resilience and potential for success
• ✓ For Youth in Care Tuition Bursary applicants: application form from the Futures Forward website
• ✓ Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or protected person status
• ✓ Manitoba residency
• ✓ High school graduation within the last three years

About this award

You can receive one of ten bursaries valued at up to $5,000 each to help cover your tuition fees. This is a bursary, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. These awards are given out annually. This is for you if you are a youth in care or have faced significant financial barriers and adversity, though it is open to any student meeting the basic requirements. Your deadline depends on your status. If you are a current or former youth in care, you must apply by March 31. For all other applicants, the deadline is June 30. You will receive instructions on how to submit your documents after you send your application. Winners are chosen based on your demonstrated financial need, as decided by RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic), and a reference letter that speaks to your resilience and potential for success. Selection criteria for the exact number of winners per category aren't published — ask RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic) how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic) 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, you must commit to working with a mentor throughout your studies. Renewal conditions for future years aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic) whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be a resident of Manitoba and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a protected person (someone with refugee or protected-person status in Canada). You must have graduated from high school within the last three years and be entering the first year of any full-time program at RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic) as a full-time student. While anyone meeting these bars can apply, the program focuses on assisting youth in care; therefore, applicants for the Youth in Care Tuition Bursary are given priority, and a preference is extended to Indigenous students.

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 high school students
• ✓ Resident of Manitoba

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

• ReferenceAvoid a generic letter that only confirms you were a student. Instead, ask your referee to provide specific examples of how you overcame obstacles and showed resilience. Give your referee a few bullet points about your challenges to help them write a detailed letter.
• SupportAvoid choosing a reference who doesn't know your personal struggles. Instead, pick someone who is truly aware of your circumstances and can vouch for your strength. Ensure your referee is comfortable speaking about your adversity in a professional way.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the June deadline if you are a former youth in care. Instead, aim for the March 31 deadline to ensure you are considered in the priority group. Submit your RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic) General Application as early as possible to allow time for document requests.
• RealismAvoid assuming that meeting the basic residency and citizenship rules guarantees the fund. Instead, remember that there are only ten awards available annually and priority is given to youth in care. Apply for other bursaries at the same time to diversify your funding options.

Questions students ask

Similar awards

• RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic)Manitoba Co-operative/Rural/Economic Development Education Award$1,500
• RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic)Manitoba Hydro X Club Winnipeg Chapter Bursary$500
• RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic)Joey Restaurant Culinary Award$1,000
• RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic)Ricoh Canada Award for First-Year Application Development and Delivery Students$1,000
• RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic)Gervin Alexander Dobbin Memorial Award$1,000
• RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic)Stu and Heather Charles Award$1,000
• RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic)C2 Custom Furnishings Award$1,000
• RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic)Jaime and Edward Acuna - Hike Manitoba Nursing Award$1,000