VIU President's Scholarship Program Waives Tuition for More Than 30 Island Students

Top scholars from regional high schools choose Vancouver Island University

From developing new medical technologies, to pursuing careers in research, to teaching students with disabilities, the latest round of President’s Scholars began their studies at Vancouver Island University (VIU) this fall with lofty goals and fewer financial worries.

VIU awarded 31 full-tuition scholarships to students through four different programs: The Chancellor’s Entrance Scholarships for Aboriginal High School Students; The President’s Entrance Scholarships for Vancouver Island High School Students; The President’s Entrance Awards for Scholar Athletes; and the President’s Scholarships for Continuing Students. The President’s Scholarship program, which began in 2008, is intended to encourage and support top scholars to complete their undergraduate degrees at VIU.

“This scholarship has given me an opportunity to focus on my post-secondary education instead of on my finances,” says Sophie Paisley, a Bachelor of Arts student and recipient of a Chancellor’s Entrance Scholarship. “It gives me that push and allows me to explore what I want to do with my life. At VIU, I’m hoping to experience a wide range of teaching techniques and gain a complex understanding of the English language so I can one day teach English as a second language.”

More than 250 students have benefitted from the President’s Scholarship program since its inception. The new scholars were welcomed at a special recognition event on Wednesday, September 27, which recipients from previous years also attended.

“We are excited to welcome top scholars from our region to VIU,” says Dr. Ralph Nilson, VIU President and Vice-Chancellor. “Supporting academic excellence is a key focus for the University. I look forward to seeing what these students accomplish and the positive influence they will have on our community.”

Joseph Monaghan, a third-year Bachelor of Science student, has been enjoying his time at VIU. For the past couple summers, he’s worked in the Applied Environmental Research Laboratories on campus – a world-class environmental chemical analysis research lab – and the experience has him considering graduate studies once he finishes his undergraduate degree.

“I’m blown away by the quality of the teaching at VIU,” he says. “My professors are absolutely invested in my understanding of the material and are happy to help, often outside office hours. I’m also blown away by the students – the days are few and far between when you can’t find someone struggling through the same topic that hopefully you can comprehend and drill into each other’s heads together.”

The Chancellor’s Entrance Scholarships for Aboriginal High School Students are available to six top academic Grade 12 students, selected from First Nations communities, Friendship Centres or Métis organizations on Vancouver Island, Powell River and Bella Bella. The President’s Entrance Scholarships for Vancouver Island High School Students are available to one top academic Grade 12 student from each Vancouver Island public and private high school, including Powell River and Bella Bella. The President’s Entrance Awards for Scholar Athletes are available to eight top academic student athletes upon entrance to first-year studies at VIU. All entrance scholarships are renewable for up to a maximum of five years, provided the student maintains a certain GPA and courseload. The President’s Scholarships for Continuing Students are awarded to top VIU students completing their second year and who are continuing their studies at VIU.

For more information on the scholarships, awards and bursaries available at VIU, please visit the Financial Aid homepage.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Jenn McGarrigle, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University

P: 250.740.6559 | C: 250.619.6860 | E: jenn.mcgarrigle@viu.ca | T: @VIUNews