For nearly 30 years, students in B.C. have been able to earn scholarships and awards to help continue their studies beyond high school.

Now, to better align with the objectives of the BC Skills for Jobs Blueprint and the move towards a more personalized education system, the ministry is seeking feedback on how to restructure the Provincial Awards Program.

Each year more than 20,000 individual awards totalling $15.6 million are distributed to students throughout the province based on a variety of criteria including academic performance, excellence in non-academic fields and the completion of apprenticeship courses.

In 2012 the ministry consulted education stakeholders on how these awards could better support the unique interests of students and recognize the different paths students take to earning a Dogwood Diploma. The response at the time was a desire for a broader, more robust program that is tailored to local needs and values achievement beyond grades and exam marks.

For the next five weeks, British Columbians are encouraged to visit: engage.gov.bc.ca/scholarships

Here they can suggest how to improve the program, including how the program’s funding should be allocated to best support B.C. students. As part of this consultation, the ministry has also asked a number of stakeholders and partner organizations to provide written submissions which will be posted publicly on the site.

Following the consultations, the ministry will host three stakeholder meetings to share the public feedback received and to begin to develop recommendations on new guiding principles, selection criteria, allocation and distribution processes.

In addition to visiting the website, feedback on the scholarships and awards program can be submitted by phone 250 356-7561 or email at: Scholarships@gov.bc.ca

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963

BACKGROUNDER

Ministry of Education’s Provincial Awards Program

The Provincial Awards Program currently has five types of awards:

Graduation Program Exams Scholarships
5,000 scholarships at $1,000 each; 20 scholarships at $2,500 each
The award is based on academic achievement on provincial exams in grades 10, 11 and 12.

District/Authority Awards
5,500 scholarships at $1,000 each
The award is allocated by Grade 12 enrolment and determined by criteria set by local District Scholarship Committee/Independent School Authority.

Pathway to Teacher Education Scholarship
20 scholarships at $5,000 each
The award is based on academic achievement, resume and references and the commitment and aptitude for a teaching career.

Secondary School Apprenticeship Scholarships
500 scholarships at $1,000
The award is based on the completion of Secondary School Apprenticeship courses, work-based training hours and registration with the Industry Training Authority.

*Passport to Education Awards
Scholarships for Grade 12s at $500
There are 9,000 stamps pro-rated amongst eligible schools in B.C. The award is based on two-thirds academic achievement, one-third school-specific criteria (student effort, work habits, community involvement).

*This award is in the process of being phased out. Funds will be reassigned to other awards and the final allocation will be to Grade 12 students only in the 2015/16 school year: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2013/08/revisions-to-the-provincial-awards-program.html

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963