Bursary deadline approaching
By Eric Wilkins, Sports Editor
Douglas College students looking for some financial assistance, and haven’t done so yet, should get a move on. Applications for bursaries are due on the first of October.
According to the Government of Canada, a year’s worth of post-secondary tuition can range from $2,500 to $8,000. With these figures not factoring in other costs such as supplies and living expenses, students should be investigating every possible avenue for financial relief. While many students simply burden themselves with student loans while juggling a job on the side, bursaries are, if not the answer, good supplements to lighten students’ loads.
Bursaries are neither loans nor scholarships. A loan is money borrowed that has to be repaid, and a scholarship is an award generally given out based on outstanding levels of achievement. However, to obtain a bursary, one doesn’t have to be a straight A-student. A bursary is a sum of money presented to someone chiefly upon the basis of financial need; the applicant will usually need to meet minimal academic standards as well. Bursaries can be obtained by both full- and part-time students.
At Douglas College, students need to have a C-average (minimum 2.0 grade point average) to qualify for a bursary. Priority is shown to full-time students with no other financial options, but all are encouraged to apply. Douglas College offers over 100 bursaries, many of which are open to all students regardless of program, and they can be found at www.douglas.bc.ca/services/financial-aid/awards-bursaries-scholarships/bursaries.html.
For information on other awards and bursaries, visit www.studentawards.com or www.scholarshipscanada.com. Alternatively, students can visit the Financial Aid office at either campus for an in-person consultation:
Room 2740 New Westminster 604-527-5487
Room A1030 Coquitlam: 604-777-6189
