Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards
Kwantlen supports students in their journey to success with numerous scholarships, bursaries and awards, made possible through the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in education as a means to building community and creating a vibrant social and economic foundation for our society.
Many students struggle financially while obtaining their education. With the average full-time tuition at more than $3,000 annually, in addition to other essentials such as books, course materials, housing and other living costs, students often find it challenging to complete their education – and when they do, many graduate with substantial student debt. Student awards not only ease the financial burden students face, but also provide encouragement and incentive to strive for academic excellence and complete their programs.
There are three types of awards:
- Scholarships are granted on the basis of academic merit, enabling Kwantlen to attract and retain the best students.
- Bursaries provide students with limited financial means opportunities to obtain a Kwantlen education.
- Awards make it possible to honour student excellence based on criteria created by the donor, including academic performance, community service, and financial need.
Kwantlen’s vision is to be an innovative, transformative and ambitious university that inspires students to excel in their careers, lead in their communities, and succeed in their lives. Your gift will serve to strengthen that inspiration, and motivate our students to achieve their very best at Kwantlen and beyond.
Learn how to create a Named Award.
Learn about our priority areas for new Awards.
Establishing a named award is a meaningful way to honour a loved one, commemorate a special occasion, or create a legacy. Kwantlen is pleased to offer donors the opportunity to name an award with a family or individual name, a company name, or a community group name. The name you choose often has special significance to your student recipient, who can draw inspiration from the story behind the name.
There are two methods of funding a Named Award:
- Endowed Award: The donor makes a lump sum gift to create an endowment fund. The award is funded through interest generated from the capital in the endowment. To create an endowment that can provide a $1,000 award annually, a minimum gift of $20,000 is required.
- Annual Award: The donor makes a gift each year in the amount of an award. A minimum annual gift of $1,000 is required, and must be pledged for at least five years.
We work with you to tailor selection criteria that reflect your objectives and interests, and will provide a suitable and lasting way to appropriately honour the name you have selected.
Please contact us to discuss your intention to create a named award.
Kwantlen currently have four areas of priority for the creation of new awards:
1. Underrepresented Program Areas
3. Inspiring Degree Achievement – Scholars Program and President’s Scholarship Program
4. President’s Scholar and Service Award
1. Underrepresented Program Areas
Over the years, donors have given generously to create more than 600 awards across all Kwantlen faculties and programs. However, there are a number of programs that are ‘underrepresented’, programs that have proportionately less awards available for students choosing to study in specific areas. Donors who choose to contribute to any of the following areas can be assured their gift will have a significant impact, as their awards will serve as an inspiration for students in these programs. The following program areas are in immediate need of new awards:
- The Faculty of Humanities, offering programs in Creative Writing, English, Fine Arts, Modern Languages, Music, and Philosophy.
- The Faculty of Social Sciences, with diverse programs such as Anthropology, Asian Studies, Criminology, Geography, History, Journalism, Political Sciences, Psychology, Sociology.
- The Faculty of Academic and Career Advancement, a unique Faculty that tailors programs for individuals to help them achieve the credentials they need to enter university, as well as offering courses for people with disabilities and non-native speakers of English.
- The Faculty of Science and Horticulture, offering programs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Health Sciences, Horticulture, and Environmental Protection.
2. Attracting Students into Kwantlen’s New Degree Programs
Kwantlen is launching a number of new degree programs over the next two years. In keeping with our polytechnic mandate, each program combines theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experiences designed to prepare our graduates for successful and rewarding careers.
One of the best possible ways to attract students into these programs is to offer scholarships, bursaries and awards dedicated to new degree program areas. In most cases, there are few awards associated with these programs; therefore gifts to these areas will serve as an incentive to the best and brightest students to consider joining the first graduating classes in these degree programs.
Kwantlen’s newest degrees include:
-
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Anthropology (First intake Sept. 2011)
-
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Asian Studies (First intake Sept. 2011)
-
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Creative Writing (First intake Sept. 2011)
-
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Philosophy (First intake Sept. 2011)
-
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Policy Studies (First intake Sept. 2011)
-
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Sociology (First intake Sept. 2011)
-
Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Counselling (First intake Sept. 2011)
-
Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Management (Next intake May 2011)
-
Bachelor of Design, Product Design (soft goods) (First intake Sept. 2012)
-
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Arts (Next intake May 2011)
-
Bachelor of Horticulture Science, Major in Urban Ecosystems or Plant Health (First intake Sept. 2011)
-
Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts (first intake Sept. 2011)
-
Bachelor of Science in Health Science (first intake TBC)
-
Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology (first intake Sept. 2011)
-
Bachelor of Technology in Trades Innovation (First intake Sept. 2012)
3. Inspiring Degree Achievement
Key to the successful implementation of our University mandate is student retention, persuading the best and brightest students to finish their undergraduate studies at Kwantlen. Kwantlen has created two new types of awards with this objective in mind:
In order to motivate students to see their degree through to fruition at Kwantlen, we are seeking donors to help us establish the Scholar Program.
These scholarships will establish a group of ‘Scholars’ in each faculty, helping to create a culture of excellence in each program area. Scholars will receive $1,000 per year for each of their four years providing they are admitted to Kwantlen with a minimum 80% average based on their best four Provincially Examinable Grade 12 courses (including English 12), are enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits per semester, and maintain a minimum 4.0 grade point average for the duration of the award period.
Annual option: Donors may establish a named ‘Scholar’ group with a gift of $4,000 annually. This will provide a $1,000 award to a returning student in year 2, 3 and 4, as well as a $1,000 award to a student entering Kwantlen for the first time. We ask that donors initially commit to 5 years of support at the $4,000 level, for a total commitment of $20,000, in order to establish this award, after which the award can be renewed annually. Donors will be asked to sign an Annual Award Agreement when the award is established.
Endowed option: A donor or a group of donors may permanently establish a named ‘Scholar’ fund with a gift of $80,000, which will yield 4 annual awards of $1,000 in perpetuity. The University will use only the investment income generated by the capital to provide the annual award. Any additional interest generated will be carried forward for deposit into the capital account, thus building the fund for the future. These awards will be distributed to a returning student in year 2, 3 and 4, as well as a $1,000 award to a student entering Kwantlen for the first time. To establish this type of award, an Endowment Trust Agreement must be agreed upon by the donor and by the University, establishing the criteria of how the fund will be administered.
Scholars from each Faculty will have the opportunity to participate in an engaged and motivated community of peer leaders who will complete their degrees at Kwantlen. It is envisioned that donors to the Scholar Program will be an integral part of this learning community, celebrating student achievement and helping to motivate the scholars to complete their degrees.
Scholar Programs can be established in any of Kwantlen’s Degree Program areas.
B. President’s Scholarship Program
This new, prestigious scholarship program is being created to honour a student entering their 3rd year of their undergraduate program who has maintained an exceptional academic record and has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills in the community. This $100,000 endowed award will yield a $2,500 scholarship in each of the student’s 3rd and 4th year of their undergraduate program; thus inspiring the best and brightest students at Kwantlen to complete their studies. Our initial goal is to establish one President’s Scholarship in each Faculty.
Students will be selected at the end of their second year of study, upon successful completion of 60 credits at Kwantlen. Applicants must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits per semester and meet a minimum 4.0 cumulative grade point average criteria. In addition, a written submission will be required, and must include a description of their contribution to community and a clearly demonstrated career path.
4. The President’s Scholar and Service Award
It is Kwantlen’s objective to establish a new, $2,500 award exclusively available to students enrolling at Kwantlen for the first time. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence in their studies, commitment to serving their local community, and be currently facing financial barriers. Our initial goal is to establish two annual awards for students from each of our four communities (Surrey, Richmond, Cloverdale and Langley). Students will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Minimum 85% average based on the student’s best four Provincially examinable Grade 12 courses, including English 12
- Demonstrated community involvement, leadership and volunteerism
- Demonstrated financial need
- Enrolled in any bachelor’s degree program at Kwantlen, full-time (minimum 12.0 credits)
This award will help to demonstrate Kwantlen’s commitment to help the best and brightest students in our communities. Donors may choose to pledge their support annually, for a total gift of $12,500 over 5 years, or alternatively, to endow a President’s Scholar and Service Award with a gift of $50,000.
View Our Brochure
