Scholarships and Bursaries

Your Bowen Island Community Foundation manages various scholarship and bursary funds. Information and instructions for applying are below:
If you have any questions with respect to our scholarships and bursaries, please e-mail [email protected]

Bowen Island Community Foundation Trades & Training Award

You’d rather build a house than a spreadsheet; test a recipe than your academic knowledge. We understand, and that’s why we’ve created the Bowen Island Community Foundation Trades & Training Award. Anyone with a demonstrable connection to Bowen Island, proof of enrolment in either a trade or technical school or a vocational training program, and a letter of reference describing their ability or inclination to pursue a career in the trades or other form of vocation, is encouraged to apply.

There are five $1,000 BICF Trades & Training Awards available, granted on a “first come, first served” basis. Applications for this award are accepted year-round and there is no age restriction for candidates applying for the award. Please note that there is a limit of one award per person per calendar year.

Some examples of studies that would be eligible for this award include:

– Carpentry
– Mechanics
– Plumbing
– Culinary arts
– Cosmetology
– Health care assistant

If you are unsure if your course of study is an appropriate fit for this award please contact us at [email protected].

To apply for the award, please prepare an application with the following:

-a letter discussing your connection to Bowen Island
-a reference letter from a mentor, employer, instructor or other person who can speak to your interest in pursuing a career in the trades or other vocational path
-proof of enrolment in a Canadian technical school or vocational training program

Please attach all documents as one SINGLE .pdf file and send your completed application to: [email protected].

Improperly prepared applications will not be considered.
Application Deadline: NONE (applications accepted year-round)

 

Bowen Island Community Foundation Academic Scholarship

Any student with a demonstrable connection to Bowen Island, strong grades, and proof of enrolment in a post-secondary institution is encouraged to apply for a $2,500 Bowen Island Community Foundation Academic Scholarship.  Preference will be given to students entering their first year of post-secondary studies.  Applicants with the highest grade point average will be selected. If multiple competing applicants have identical averages, a preference will be given to the student demonstrating a stronger commitment to the community.

To apply for this Scholarship, please prepare an application with the following:

-a letter summarizing your connection to Bowen Island and your volunteer activities
-a transcript including your Grade Point Average for your two most recent semesters
-proof of enrolment in a Canadian post-secondary institution

The winner will be selected based on overall GPA. In the event of a tie to two decimal places, preference will be given to the student demonstrating more community involvement.

Please attach all documents as one SINGLE .pdf file and send your completed application to: [email protected].

Improperly prepared applications will not be considered.
Application Deadline: 11:59pm July 5th

 

Aaron Sluggett Memorial Scholarship 

Are you breaking ankles with your crossover? Crushing your dance recitals on the regular? Maybe you’re always the last one picked and you have a closet full of ‘Participant’ awards but you love sports all the same. You might want to apply for the Aaron Sluggett Memorial Scholarship.

Aaron Sluggett, a community minded and sports loving 19 year-old Bowen Islander, looked poised to succeed in sciences at Simon Fraser University when his life was tragically cut short. Aaron did not have the chance to complete his studies but it is the hope of his family that the $1,500 Aaron Sluggett Memorial Scholarship will help someone else on their journey.

High school students interested in applying for the award should prepare an application including the following:

-A letter of reference from a teacher, mentor, coach or other person who can attest to your dedication to community involvement and/or sports
-A high school transcript
-A brief letter discussing your connection to Bowen Island

Please attach all documents as one SINGLE .pdf file and send your completed application to: [email protected].

Improperly prepared applications will not be considered.
Application Deadline: 11:59pm July 5th

 

Maggie Cumming Legacy Bursary

Do you know all the secret trails on the island? Can you hike Mt. Gardner in the dark backwards? Are you happiest when you’re lost in the woods? The Maggie Cumming Legacy Bursary might be your speed.

Maggie Cumming, a devout hiker and environmentalist, left more than her footprints on Bowen Island. She generously created a legacy fund to preserve, and expand, Bowen’s trail system. She also directed that a $500.00 award, the Maggie Cumming Legacy Bursary, be granted to a Bowen Island student of good academic standing who shares Maggie’s love of the environment and needs a little financial help.

Please prepare a letter explaining why the Bursary will make a difference to you and attach your most recent academic transcript.

Please attach all documents as one SINGLE .pdf file and send your completed application to: [email protected].

Improperly prepared applications will not be considered.
Application Deadline: 11:59pm July 5th

 

Knick Knack Nook Scholarship for Environmental Sustainability

Are carbon emissions your arch nemesis? Feel sick to your stomach thinking about the garbage vortex in the Pacific Ocean? Do you have mother nature’s back at every turn? The Knick Knack Nook Scholarship for Environmental Sustainability is probably your cup of kombucha. Award amounts vary based on the student and their relative need.

Review the application criteria here.

Please attach all documents as one SINGLE .pdf file and send your completed application to: [email protected].

Improperly prepared applications will not be considered.
Application Deadline: 11:59pm July 5th

 

Bowen Island Golf Association Scholarship

Did you know the Bowen Island Golf Course offers scholarships for Juniors heading off for Post Secondary Education? Applicants must have been a full play junior or intermediate member of the Bowen Island Golf Club for at least two (2) years. Scholarships will be awarded to students proceeding from grade 12 to any academic, vocational, or technical institution. Post-secondary students may also apply.

Download the application here.

Improperly prepared applications will not be considered.
Application Deadline: 11:59pm June 30th

 

Kipp Thompson Bursary for the Performing Arts

Kipp Thompson was a young man who grew up on Bowen Island; he was a talented musician who also experienced difficulties with drug dependence, and died at the age of 24. The Kipp Thompson Memorial Bursary celebrates the many strengths of his life. As many of his friends and family have noted, he was happiest on stage, performing. This annual bursary of $1000.00 will provide funds for a Bowen Islander to pursue the performing arts, in Kipp’s memory.

Bowen Islanders between the ages of 15 and 29 interested in applying for the bursary should prepare an application including the following:

-A letter of reference from a teacher, mentor, coach or other person who can attest to your dedication to a performing art.
-A brief letter discussing how your interest and talent in your chosen performing art has inspired you.

Please attach all documents as one SINGLE .pdf file and send your completed application to: [email protected].

Improperly prepared applications will not be considered.
Application Deadline: 11:59pm July 5th

 

Margaret Witty Bursary Fund

The Marg Witty Endowment Fund was created and funded by the Witty Family in honour and recognition of Marg Witty’s contributions to Island Pacific School and the Community of Bowen Island. Marg served on the board of IPS as chair for the 1996 – 1997 school year. Her phenomenal personality and her reputation in the community were invaluable.  The Fund’s intent is to provide an annual bursary to one or more deserving IPS students.

Please contact Scott Herrington at Island Pacific School for further details:
Scott Herrington, Head of School
EMAIL  scott.herrington@islandpacific.org
PHONE 604-947-9311

Island Pacific School Endowment Fund

The Island Pacific School Endowment Fund has been created by Island Pacific School, to be managed by the Bowen Island Community Foundation, and will provide an annual bursary (or bursaries) to one or more deserving students of Island Pacific School. Once a student is admitted to Island Pacific School, the family can then apply for financial aid directly to the school as needed.

Please contact Scott Herrington at Island Pacific School for further details:
Scott Herrington, Head of School
EMAIL  scott.herrington@islandpacific.org
PHONE 604-947-9311

Brian Biddlecombe Memorial Award

The Brian Biddlecombe Memorial Award provides for $3000 to be available to members of the Bowen Island Volunteer Fire Department (and their immediate families) to pursue post-secondary education or vocational training.

Brian Biddlecombe gave 44 years of dedicated service to the Bowen Island Fire Department, 11 years as fire chief. He was a fine leader and mentor. In addition, his company, Cormorant Marine, was an important provider of water taxi and ambulance transport services. Bowen Island has much to be grateful to Brian for. This award in his memory will support his considerable legacy of community service to live on.

All applicants for the award are required:

– To be residents of Bowen Island or have strong ties to Bowen Island
– To be a Bowen Island Volunteer Firefighter or an immediate family member of a Bowen Island Volunteer Firefighter
– To have contributed to the Bowen community in some way

There is no age restriction for the award. Its focus is community involvement and contribution. Academic achievement will be considered but will not be weighted more than community involvement.

If you fulfil the requirements and are interested in the award to pursue some study or vocational training*, please prepare an application that includes a letter confirming the following

– That you are a resident of Bowen Island or have other, strong ties
– That you are a Volunteer Firefighter with the Bowen Island Fire Department or an immediate family member.
– What your contribution to the Bowen community has been.
– Your plan for academic study or vocational training and any place that you may have obtained at a Canadian institution.
– How your study or training will make a difference to you.

* NOTE: the award will be paid to the institution providing the course that you plan to attend when a place is confirmed.

Please attach all documents as one SINGLE .pdf file and send your completed application to: [email protected].

Improperly prepared applications will not be considered.

Application Deadline: 11:59pm July 5th.

Bowen Island Football Club Founders Award Scholarship

In recognition of its fifteenth anniversary, BI Football Club is proud to offer a Scholarship to its former players. This $1,000 award is available Applicants who:

  • Participated in at least one year of BIFC league play, no matter at which level (i.e. U8-U12);
  • Have continued to embody the spirit of the BIFC beyond their membership in the club and
  • have contributed to the Bowen community in some way;
  • There is no age limit or minimum for applicants

All aspects of an Applicant’s life will be taken into consideration. It is not necessarily the most academically strong applicant who will be chosen.

Please submit a letter taking into the account the criteria noted above. Please attach all relevant documents as one SINGLE .pdf file and send your completed application to: [email protected].

Application Deadline: 11:59pm July 5th

Logan Family Health Care Scholarship

This $2,500.00 award is available for a student pursuing a career in Health Care, or for someone wishing to increase their knowledge or certification in a Health Care related discipline.

All applicants must:

  • Be a resident of Bowen Island or have strong ties to Bowen Island.
  • Demonstrate aspiration to a career in Health Care or desire for further training.
  • Provide proof of acceptance in a relevant course at a recognized Canadian institution.

There is no age limit or minimum for applicants.

All relevant aspects of an applicant’s life will be considered including extracurricular activities, and their unique experience. Wherever possible, preference will be given to an applicant who is deserving of an opportunity in the eyes of the selection committee. NOTE:  This is not necessarily the most academically strong applicant.

Please submit a letter taking into the account the criteria noted above. Please attach all relevant documents as one SINGLE .pdf file and send your completed application to: [email protected].

Application Deadline: 11:59pm July 5th

The Bowen Island Community Foundation wishes all applicants the very best of luck.
May the force be with you and you be the force for change 😉