Scholarships

Many of our Global Studies students are not only strongly dedicated to their academics, but are also highly involved within local and international communities. Having these kinds of experiences can be very beneficial when applying to some awards, scholarships, and bursaries. If you feel you have taken on a leadership role in your community, have been dedicated to volunteer work, or have excelled in your academic work, one of the funding opportunities listed below could be applicable to you. The opportunities listed below are just some examples. There are many other funding opportunities available to VIU students. View the full list provided by the Scholarship, Award and Bursary Program at VIU. 

Audrey Gordon Award

  • 2 awards, $1,000 each; Available to students who demonstrate outstanding character, effort and diligence, and whose contributions to the community as a whole deserve recognition and encouragement. Financial need will also be considered. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the fall semester.

David and Margaret Bradbury Award

  • 1 award, $500; Available to full-time students in any program, with selection based on GPA and a demonstrated history of community service. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 3 deadline. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the fall semester.

David Yates Award

  • 1 award, $500; For leadership shown through contributions to student government, student newspaper, athletics, or other student activities. Available to students continuing to second, third or fourth year who demonstrate financial need. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the fall semester.

E. Jean Garside Memorial Award

  • 1 award, $1,000; Available to graduating fourth year students in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Students must have completed courses in Women's Studies, and participated in a minimum of 100 hours of community involvement. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds issued in May.

Frank Sarton Memorial Award

  • 1 award, $500; Available to support third or fourth year students in the Humanities or Social Sciences, who are facing financial difficulties. Applicants will be required to attach a letter of recommendation from faculty demonstrating their commitment to social justice, (local, national or international). To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds will be issued as a cheque upon selection.

Freedom 55 Financial Fitness and Community Wellness Award

  • 2 awards, $1,250 each; Available to students enrolled in a Masters program, or in their fourth year of academic studies, with demonstrated community involvement, volunteerism and/or some participation in community based social improvement. Preference will be given to VIU Varsity athletes. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the fall semester if continuing, or as a cheque if graduating.

International Internship Award

  • 2 awards, $3,000 each; Available to students participating in an internship of at least 3 months in a development country in the global south. Preference will be given to students whose internships are aligned with CIDA priorities and themes. Applicants must demonstrate, by means of a personal written statement, strong links between their proposed internship, academic program, volunteer activities and career goals. The recipient will be expected to follow up with a VIU or community presentation. Students who have received SFD funding are not eligible for this award. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds will be applied to Study Abroad fees where applicable.

Irving K. Barber Scholarships

  • One World Scholarships of between $1,000 – $3,500 are awarded to students participating in study, or work-abroad programs that are either experiential learning opportunities (language or cultural training), or that provide credits toward the BC academic credential they are working towards.

  • Premier’s International Scholarships are $10,000 scholarships for credential granting study abroad and are awarded to students demonstrating exceptional academic achievement and community service.

Additional information on the Irving K.Barber Scholarships

Koki Sato International Scholarship

  • 1 award, $300; Available to full-time Canadian or International students, based on academic excellence and demonstrated leadership in international and community development and relations. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the fall semester.  

Morvah Award for International Development

  • 1 award, $500; Available to Canadian students working on short-term projects overseas; based first on overall abilities and life goals, then GPA. Awarded on the basis of the Centre for International Studies evaluation of a short proposal demonstrating the following objectives: 1) furthering international awareness and understanding of the economic barriers to poverty alleviation, contributing to initiatives that may be able to overcome these barriers, in a sustainable manner; 2) bringing tangible benefits to both VIU and the host country counterparts, and 3) where possible to leverage co-funding of development projects from other sources (eg CIDA, Province of BC, CCC), to maximize the awards' impact. Recipient would be expected to follow up with a community presentation of learnings and results event, (inclusion in local media such as newspaper articles, etc.), and to meet with the donors. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds will be applied to Study Abroad fees where applicable.

Pieter de Reuver Foundation Social Sciences Scholarship

  • 2 awards, $1,000 each; Available to top students enrolled in a Faculty of Social Sciences program at VIU. Preference to those who reside in the Parksville/Qualicum area. No application necessary. Recipients selected in May, with funds issued in June.

QE II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship

  • Vancouver Island University (VIU) will award more than $800,000 in prestigious scholarships to 31 undergraduate, graduate and international students through the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) program.With funding from the QES program, VIU will award scholarships to Canadian VIU students at the undergraduate and graduate levels so they can participate in internships or academic study for periods of three to six months in Belize. Scholarships will also be available to students from Belize to complete one of VIU’s six Master’s degree programs. Both inbound and outbound students will be selected based on the contribution of their work to strengthening the resilience of coastal communities.

More information regarding the QE II award

Rotary Club of Lantzville Award

  • 1 award, $400; Available to continuing students who exemplify the Rotarian qualities of humanitarian service, based on academic achievement and financial need. Applicants must submit a written statement in order to demonstrate a history of volunteer work for school and/or community functions (participation in student council, management for school teams, organization or running of intramural programs or clubs, etc). Statement must provide a self-evaluation of how applicant meets the following Rotarian principles: truthfulness, fairness, contributions to building goodwill and better friendships, and actions that will be beneficial to all concerned. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the fall semester.

Rotary Club of Nanaimo - Helmut Graf International Award

  • 1 award, $500; Available to presently enrolled students planning to pursue further studies outside Canada. The period of international study must take place in the calendar year in which the award is received (includes field school, study abroad, etc). Recipient must be a graduate of a Nanaimo High School. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the fall semester.

Tony Sorchy Study Abroad Award

  • 1 award, $1,000; Available to a Global Studies student, who has an appreciation for global learning, and is studying abroad. Selection is based on demonstrated financial need, volunteerism and a letter of recommendation by VIU Faculty. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds will be applied to Study Abroad fees where applicable.

VIU President Scholarship for Continuing Students 

  • 6 awards, full tuition (less ancillary fees); Available to top academic 2nd year students, who will be continuing to 3rd year of their studies at VIU. One scholarship available to each of the following academic faculties: Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Health and Human Services, Education, Management, Science and Technology. Students must have achieved a minimum semester and cumulative GPA of 3.50 in their first two years, while enrolled in an 80% course load (12 credits). No application necessary. Recipient selected in March, with funds awarded as a tuition credit for year three of studies, with eligibility for renewal each year until graduation, providing students maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of 3.50, with a minimum 80% course load and is in "good standing" as per the Student Conduct Policy.

Vivian and Gerry Streader Award

  • 1 award, $1,000; Available to students who are, or will be, participating in a field school semester. Selection will be based on financial need. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds will be applied to Study Abroad fees where applicable.

W.L. Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarship 

Two classes of Mackenzie King Scholarship are available to graduates of Canadian universities: the Open Scholarship and the Travelling Scholarship. Both are to support graduate study. 

  • The Open Scholarship is available to graduates of Canadian universities who pursue graduate study in any discipline, in Canada or elsewhere.  One Open Scholarship is awarded each year. The value has recently been about $10,000 but it is subject to change.
  • The Travelling Scholarship is available to graduates of Canadian universities who pursue graduate study in the United States or the United Kingdom in the areas of international relations or industrial relations.  Recently four scholarships of $11,000 each have been awarded annually, but the number and the amount are subject to change.

More information on the W.L. Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarship

Young Professionals of Nanaimo Award

  • 2 awards, $1,000 each; Available to continuing students enrolled at the Nanaimo Campus, who demonstrate leadership through a balanced quality of life as defined by the YPN’s 4 pillars (Business Networking, Social Networking, Professional Development and Community Involvement). Applicants are required to submit a statement in order to demonstrate a history of volunteer work for school and/or community (student council, management of school teams, organization or running of intermural program or clubs, etc). A brief essay (max 500 words), must also be submitted responding to the question: What would make Nanaimo a better city? Preference will be given to 3rd or 4th year students. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the fall semester.

Zonta Club of Nanaimo Scholarship 

  • 1 award, $500; Available to continuing female students at the Nanaimo campus who are enrolled in a program leading to a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Arts (Women's Studies), or International Studies. Selection will be based on academic performance and demonstrated community service. To apply, update and submit your "Scholarship/Award/Bursary Profile" from your student record by the March 31 deadline. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the fall semester.