BC Housing Education Awards Program

The Education Awards Program helps residents in a household directly receiving subsidy from BC Housing, or receiving rental assistance through the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) at the start of courses pursue their educational goals as a way to achieve success and personal growth. The bursaries and awards are for post-secondary education and training programs.

We offer seven education awards and bursaries. We encourage you to apply for as many awards as you’re eligible for. We grant one award a year to each successful applicant based on academic achievement and financial need.

Annual Dates & Deadlines

• January – Annual program launch
• April 30 – Application Deadline – All applications must be received by 2 pm
• July 31 – Notifications sent to applicants (congratulations and regrets)
• August 30 – Deadline for Award – Winners must confirm their September enrolment

Award & Bursaries

BC Housing Bursary

Award winners receive $750 for tuition and other school-related expenses.

Eligibility:

• You are between the ages of 17 and 64 and are a resident in a household directly receiving subsidy from BC Housing or receiving rental assistance through the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) at the start of courses.
• You must be registered at a recognized B.C. post-secondary or vocational institution on a full- or part-time basis in September of the application year (part-time is considered to be two courses attended in September of the application year).

BC Housing Award for Full-Time Studies

Award winners receive $1,000 for tuition and other school-related expenses.

Eligibility:

• You are between the ages of 17 and 64 and are a resident in a household directly receiving subsidy from BC Housing or receiving rental assistance through the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) at the start of courses.
• You are registered at a recognized B.C. post-secondary or vocational institution on a full-time (60 percent course load) basis in September of the application year.

BC Housing Indigenous Peoples Award

Award winners receive $1,000 to assist Indigenous Peoples in pursuing post-secondary education.

Eligibility:

• You are an Indigenous person between the ages of 17 and 64 and are a resident in a household directly receiving subsidy from BC Housing or receiving rental assistance through the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) at the start of courses.
• Registered at a recognized B.C. post-secondary institution in September of the application year.

Registered as a full-time student (60 percent course load).

The Steven Bibby Humanitarian Award

Steven Bibby was a passionate leader in the field of emergency management over his 28-year career with BC Housing. Notably, Steven was a central Figure in developing a post-disaster building assessment framework and emergency lodging guidelines. This Award of $1,000 in his memory recognizes excellence in emergency management or building resilient communities.

Eligibility:

• Students between the ages of 17-64.
• Residing in a household directly receiving subsidy from BC Housing or receiving rental assistance through the Rental Assistance Program at the start of courses.
• Registered at a recognized B.C. post -secondary educational or vocational institute on a full-time (60 percent course load) basis in September of the application year.
• Pursuing opportunities in disaster management or a related field.

Katherine McParland Bursary

Katherine McParland was a passionate and well-respected advocate for youth experiencing homelessness; she was also a member of BC Housing’s Board of Commissioners when she passed away unexpectedly in 2020. As a former youth in care, Katherine knew how few supports exist for youth at risk of homelessness, and spent her career fighting tirelessly to create youth-specific housing with individual supports.

This award recognizes Katherine’s many significant contributions, and assists young adults (18-25) who have experienced housing instability and who are pursuing an education in social work or community services. Award Winners receive $1,000 bursary.

Eligibility:

• Students between the ages of 18-25
• Experienced past housing instability
• Residing in a household directly receiving subsidy from BC Housing or receiving rental assistance through the Rental Assistance Program at the start of courses
• Registered at a recognized B.C. post-secondary educational or vocational institute on a full-time (60 percent course load) basis in September of the application year
• Pursuing opportunities in social work or community services

Who can be a nominator: A family member, social worker, teacher, community leader or employer

Margaret Mitchell Outstanding Achievement Award

Margaret Mitchell was a dedicated housing advocate and played a key role in the development of the BC Housing Education Awards Program. This award is named in her memory. Award winners receive $1,000 for a graduating Grade 12 student who demonstrates excellence in academics, sports, the arts or community involvement.

Eligibility:

• You are graduating from Grade 12 with a record of achievement in academics, sports, the arts or community involvement.
• You have been nominated by a fellow student, teacher, community leader or neighbour.
• You are a resident in a household directly receiving subsidy from BC Housing or receiving rental assistance through the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) at the start of courses.
• You are registered in post-secondary education or vocational training at a recognized B.C. post-secondary institution in September of the application year as a full-time student (60 percent course load).

Who can be a nominator: A family member, fellow student, a teacher, a community member, a neighbour, etc.

Gail Burak Bursary

This award recognizes Gail Burak's key leadership role as former BC Housing senior housing and health services manager, and her pioneering work in developing an integrated model of housing and health services. Award winners receive $1,000 for tuition and other school-related expenses for those pursuing educational opportunities in a health-related field.

Eligibility:

• You are between the ages of 17 and 64 and are a resident in a household directly receiving subsidy from BC Housing or receiving rental assistance through the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) at the start of courses.
• You are registered at a recognized B.C. post-secondary or vocational institution in a health-related field on a full-or part-time basis in September of the application year.
• On completion of the program, you must be eligible to register with a professional regulatory body (for example, social work, nursing or vocational rehabilitation)