BC Aboriginal students receive over $259,000 in Scholarships

Eighty-seven Aboriginal students were rewarded for their hard work today.

They received scholarship awards totaling $259,000, as their funding was announced by the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society today.

“These awards help open new doors for BC’s Aboriginal people,” said Hugh Gordon, chair of the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society.

“They are an investment in their skills and talent.”

Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 are awarded each year to Aboriginal students to help them pay for post-secondary education in British Columbia. Preference is given to students looking to enroll in the trades and certificate programs.

“Post-secondary education and training is a high priority for our Government, and we have placed a strong focus on creating and supporting opportunities for Aboriginal peoples,” said The Minister of Science and Universities, Ida Chong.

These awards will help students attend schools such as Okanagan College, Simon Fraser University, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, and the University of British Columbia

“I’d like to congratulate all of the recipients of this award, and wish them the best of luck and success on their educational journey.”

The B.C. Aboriginal Student Award has been helping BC’s aboriginal youth pave the road to their future since 2007. They received a $10 million endowment fund from the Province, with the goal of improving Aboriginal access and achievement by encouraging and rewarding young self-starters.