Transferring from one post-secondary institution to another is no easy, or inexpensive, task.
But, for four lucky North Okanagan students, the burden was mitigated after each received a $5,000 scholarship.
Vernon’s Jasmine Hofsink, who transferred to the University of Northern BC from the College of New Caledonia; Taylor Ostrass, who transferred to the University of BC from Okanagan College and Sarah Wood, who transferred to Vancouver Island University from College of the Rockies, and Armstrong’s Jocelyn Boonstra, who transferred to the Unviersity of BC from Okanagan College are among 163 B.C. students who received a record $815,000 this year from the Ike Barber Transfer Scholarship program.
“Congratulations to each of these students – I wish you every success in your studies,” said Melanie Mark, advanced education, skills and training minister. “The ability to easily transfer academic credits from one post-secondary institution to another is a unique feature of our post-secondary system. The academic credit transfer system saves students’ time, effort and money by not having to repeat previously completed, equivalent credits.”
The scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduate students who have completed at least one year at a public post-secondary institution in B.C. and are transferring to another institution to complete their studies.
Funds for the Scholarships come from the returns on a $15 million endowment established by the province in 2006. To qualify for a transfer scholarship, students must demonstrate strong academic achievement and significant volunteer service to their school or community.
“The academic freedom that comes with a student’s ability to transfer from one institution to another ultimately creates better opportunities in competitive environments,” said Rajiv Gandhi, chair of the Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society, which administers the transfer scholarship program and other scholarships. “IKBBC is pleased to help create new possibilities for students in otherwise challenging times.”
The Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society offers scholarships and awards to B.C. students attending public post-secondary institutions. The Society is named after entrepreneur and philanthropist Irving K Barber, who had a long history of supporting public post-secondary education in British Columbia before his death in 2012.
Since its founding in 2006, the Society has awarded over $14 million in scholarships and awards to thousands of BC students. The Society is administered by the Victoria Foundation.
Applications for 2018 Ike Barber Transfer Scholarships will be available on Dec. 5, 2017.
To find out more about the Society’s programs, call 1-844-478-4645 or visit www.ikbbc.ca.
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