Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society

As a result of a $10 million endowment fund established by the Province of BC in 2007 and a $500,000 grant provided in 2008, the Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society has launched a new award that will support Aboriginal students accessing post-secondary education in BC.

In announcing the program at the Provincial Aboriginal Educators Conference in Vancouver, Minister of Advanced Education Murray Coell said, “Establishing the BC Aboriginal Student Awards will increase access, provide more choices and more opportunities for Aboriginal people closer to home.”

Awards of $1,000 - $3,500 will be given annually to Aboriginal students pursuing post-secondary education in BC. The number of awards granted will depend on the type of programs students are enrolled in and the revenue generated by the endowment fund.
Board Chair of the Society Mike Apsey said, “These awards are an opportunity to open new doors for Aboriginal students to BC’s educational system.”

The Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society works in partnership with the Victoria Foundation to provide funding for students attending post-secondary institutions both throughout the province and internationally. To date, over $1.8 million has been awarded to students pursuing post-secondary education.