“The new awards cover a wide variety of programs,” said Regional Dean Jane Lister. “We worked with members of our Regional Advisory Committee to identify community needs and have allocated awards to specialty Arts programs, Continuing Studies certificates and an entrance award for Aboriginal students.
“We are encouraging all students who are considering attending Okanagan College in September to visit our financial aid website for complete award criteria. The deadline for applying is May 31.”
Four of the $750 awards are dedicated to Continuing Studies programs – two for students entering the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) certificate and two for students in the Esthetician certificate program. Each of the awards will be granted as a tuition credit toward the program.
Students applying for the GIS award must be 2012 high school graduates who intend to register in the GIS certificate program in August at the Vernon Campus. Consideration will be given to students who demonstrate financial need, present career research in GIS occupations, and have community service contributions.
Students applying for the Esthetician award must also be 2012 high school graduates who intend to register in the Esthetician Certificate program in September at the Vernon campus. Consideration will be given to students who demonstrate financial need, present career research in esthetics occupations, and who have community service contributions.
Two entrance awards are available for specialty Arts diploma programs – one for the Environmental Studies diploma and one for the Writing and Publishing diploma.
Students applying for either of the Arts diploma awards must be 2012 secondary school graduates in Schools District 22 or 83 and be entering first year full-time studies at the Vernon campus in September. When applying for the Environmental Studies award, applicants should provide details of any community or school based activities focused on environmental and/or social contributions. Selection of the award recipient will be based on volunteer community/school involvement and academic achievement.
Students applying for the Writing and Publishing award must submit one piece of writing (poetry, prose or essay) completed in the last 12 months. Selection of the award recipient will be based on the writing submission and academic achievement.
The Aboriginal Student entrance award of $750 is available to Non-Status or Métis Aboriginal Students graduating in 2012 from School Districts 22 and 83. Applicants must be registering for a minimum course load (60%) of studies in September 2012 at the Vernon campus in any university program, any diploma or vocational certificate, or in any trades or health certificate program. Selection of the award recipient will be based on a combination of academic achievement (minimum of 60% average in senior secondary school grades) and financial need, with emphasis on financial need.
For complete information about the awards and their criteria, visit: www.okanagan.bc.ca/financialaid. The final date for submissions is 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 31.