Bursaries

The Belonging Network’s bursary programs are the manifestation of our belief in the value and potential of fostered and adopted youth. Thanks to our valued donors, we’re proud to help ambitious young people defy stereotypes and achieve their dreams. 

About our bursaries

The Belonging Network’s bursary programs provide funding to help youth go to college or university, pursue a trade, or attend other training programs. Bursaries can be applied to tuition or to related expenses, including living costs while studying. 

The Belonging Network runs three annual bursary programs:

• the BC Orca Bursary Program
• the Joy MacPhail Bursary
• the Vancouver Film Studios Indigenous Bursary

BC Orca Bursary Program

The BC Orca Bursary Program was established by a generous group of philanthropists who want to help current and former youth in government care pursue post-secondary studies. 

Twenty-seven bursaries were awarded in 2023.

Read more about the BC Orca Bursary Program and its application requirements.

Joy MacPhail Youth Bursary

The Joy MacPhail Youth Bursar provides financial support for post-secondary studies to a young person who joined their family by legal adoption or other forms of permanency. It was established in 2022 with funding from the Face the World Foundation.

One $3,000 bursary will be awarded annually from 2022-26. 

Read more about the Joy MacPhail Youth Bursary and its application requirements.

Vancouver Film Studios Indigenous Bursary

The Vancouver Film Studios Indigenous Bursary Program was established in 2022 in partnership with Vancouver Film Studios. It provides financial assistance to Indigenous people who plan to pursue any kind of formal or informal career-related education or training in British Columbia. This includes, but is not limited to:

• post-secondary education
• short or long certification programs
• diplomas
• skill-building programs
• training programs

There is $12,000 of funding to be distributed. Bursary amounts vary depending on applicant needs. The maximum amount awarded to one applicant is $3,000.  

Read more about the Vancouver Film Studios Indigenous Bursary and its application requirements.

Guidelines

The following guidelines apply to all three bursary programs. Each bursary also has its own eligibility requirements. See the application forms for details.  

All applications that fulfil eligibility requirements and are complete and submitted on time will be forwarded for initial screening. The strongest applicants will be presented to the selection committee.

• Bursary applicants may apply for both the BC Orca Bursary Program and the Joy MacPhail Youth Bursary, but can only be chosen for one of these awards per year.
• Applicants are eligible for the Vancouver Film Studios Indigenous Bursaries program even if they have been selected for another Belonging Network award. 
• Previous Belonging Network bursary award recipients are permitted to re-apply in a new bursary year.
• All Belonging Network program clients are permitted to apply for our bursaries.
• Current Belonging Network staff, board members, committee members, contractors and their respective children are not eligible to apply for Belonging Network bursaries.
• Former Belonging Network staff, board members, committee members, contractors, and their respective children are eligible to apply for bursaries 12 months after their organizational role has concluded.

Here’s what our past winners say…

“Your investment in former foster youth, like myself, demonstrates your belief in the transformative power of post-secondary education and your commitment to make positive differences in youth who have experienced childhood adversity.”

– 2023 BC Orca Bursary recipient

“This means a lot to me and will be hugely helpful in helping me achieve my educational goals.”

– 2023 Vancouver Film Studios Indigenous Bursary recipient

“Often university can feel isolating, or you can feel like you are in the fight alone, however, help from organizations like yours gives me renewed confidence that someone also believes in my potential and what I do matters!”

– 2023 BC Orca Bursary recipient