117 Aboriginal students receive over $300,000 in education awards

VICTORIA – The Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society has granted a total of $311,500 to 117 B.C. Aboriginal students  for study in B.C. this year.

The B.C. Aboriginal Student Award is funded from the returns on a $10 million endowment fund established by the Province in 2007 as part of its strategy to improve Aboriginal achievement and access to education. Awards of $1,000 – $3,500 are given annually to Aboriginal students pursuing post-secondary education in B.C.

“Through the Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society, we are supporting Aboriginal learners to take post-secondary education and training so they’re ready to fill the jobs of tomorrow, which is an important part of the BC Jobs Plan,” said Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of Advanced Education. “Congratulations and best wishes to the recipients as they continue their studies.”

The Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society works with the Victoria Foundation to provide scholarships to students attending public post-secondary institutions throughout the province and internationally. To date, the Society has awarded more than $3.8 million from its six scholarship programs.

“Our society board has adopted steps to ensure a stable level of awards each year,” said Hugh Gordon, society chair. “It’s part of our commitment to ensuring access to education for deserving students from throughout the province.”

To make a donation or to find out more about the B.C. Aboriginal Student Award and the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society, visit http://www.bcscholarship.ca/web/ or call the Victoria Foundation at 250-381-5532.

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Media information contact:
Stephanie Slater, Director of Communications, Victoria Foundation
Phone: 250-381-5532, cell 250 686-8477
E-mail: sslater@victoriafoundation.bc.ca

Download the list of recipients here.

 

Background: The Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society was formed in 2004 as a result of a $15 million contribution made to the University of B.C. by philanthropist Irving K. Barber. The Government of B.C. matched the contribution and put it into an endowment for student scholarships. To date, the government has granted the scholarship society $38 million for endowment funds.

The funds and programs of the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society are managed by the Victoria Foundation, Canada’s second oldest and sixth largest community foundation. 

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