Interior Savings is accepting applications for its Million Dollar Bursary Program, which offers awards of $1,000 to 1,000 students.
The program has been running for eight years, after launching in 2013, and has passed $3.5 million in awards, $31,000 of which have gone to Clearwater students.
With less than seven weeks left before this year’s application deadline (Feb. 28), there is over half a million in bursaries still available — yet only about 500 applications have been recevied so far.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made it tougher to reach students and with many feeling the financial pinch, the credit union is determined to make one final push to reach local students in need of help with tuition and are urging anyone who is eligible to apply.
Applying for the program is simple, with one caveat — they need to be an Interior Savings member. However, there are no lengthy essays, references required or high academic grades needed, said the Credit Union in a meda release. To qualify, applicants simply need to be 17 to 24 years old, use their Interior Savings account regularly and provide proof of enrolment and tuition payment to a designated post-secondary institution.
“There’s still time for students to become an Interior Savings member to qualify for a bursary and to take advantage of the benefits membership offers, including one-on-one financial coaching, a share of our profits and a free account for youth,” said Interior Savings CEO, Kathy Conway.
The credit union said this is one of the ways they give back to their members. Interior Savings shares 22 per cent of profits with its members through dividends, cash rewards and bursaries, as it is a co-operatvively-owned financial institution.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 28. Visit www.milliondollarbursary.com for more information or to apply. For those who do not meet the requirements of this program, the credit union also supports Credit Union Foundation of BC awards and numerous Lifelong Learner Bursaries.
“We’re here to help our members with the finanicial tools and advice they need through every stage of their life journey,” said Conway. “And what better way to set our young members up for success than to support their education.”