Do I have to apply for each individual bursary at my school?

At most BC schools, no — a single general bursary application pools you for all eligible institutional bursaries. Some named bursaries do require separate applications.

Are these bursaries renewable?

Most are one-time. A few large named bursaries are multi-year. Each school's financial aid page lists the renewable ones.

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Bursary (non-repayable, need-based)

School-Based Bursaries (UBC / SFU / UVic / BCIT / KPU / Capilano / Douglas / VCC)

Who funds it: Each BC public post-secondary institution administers its own bursary funds — donor-funded and institutionally funded.
Who qualifies: Enrolled students at the institution. Eligibility varies by individual bursary — by program, year, identity, financial need, academic standing, or specific donor criteria.
Amount range: Typically $250–$5,000 per bursary. Some larger named bursaries reach $10,000+.
How to apply: Each school has its own application portal. Most accept a single annual general bursary application that the school then matches against multiple individual bursary funds.
When to apply: Most schools open the annual cycle in spring (March–April), close summer (June), award fall.

Common pitfalls we see

Missing the deadline — most schools have ONE annual application that pools eligibility for all institutional bursaries; if you miss it, you wait a year.
Skipping the financial need section because you think you do not qualify — most general bursaries weigh need but consider it alongside other factors.
Not following up with the financial aid office — they often know about specific bursaries that fit your profile but are not listed prominently.

FAQ

Do I have to apply for each individual bursary at my school?: At most BC schools, no — a single general bursary application pools you for all eligible institutional bursaries. Some named bursaries do require separate applications.
Are these bursaries renewable?: Most are one-time. A few large named bursaries are multi-year. Each school's financial aid page lists the renewable ones.

Our take

School-based bursaries are the single most under-applied BC funding source — most students do not even know their school has them. The Skillucate consultation always asks about your school and walks you through the bursary catalog before suggesting external sources.

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Skillucate is independent — not StudentAid BC, not the Government of British Columbia, not the Government of Canada, not a school. We do not make funding decisions and do not guarantee approval, eligibility, amounts, or timelines. Information current as of 2026-05-10; verify with the funding body before applying.