Bursaries

About | Applications | Guidelines | Eligibility | Contact | Donate

Applications for the BC Orca Bursary Program and the Joy MacPhail Youth Bursary are now closed for 2023. Applications for the Vancouver Film Studios Indigenous Bursary are now closed. Check back later for information about 2023 applications. 

About

AFABC’s bursary programs provide funding to assist youth in pursuing post-secondary education. Bursaries can be applied to tuition and related expenses, including living costs while studying. 

The BC Orca Bursary Program was established by a generous group of philanthropists who want to provide financial and other support to current or former youth in government (foster) care who are pursuing post-secondary studies. Twenty bursaries will be awarded in 2023. Read more about the BC Orca Bursary Program.

The Joy MacPhail Youth Bursary, established in 2022 with funding from the Face the World Foundation, aims to provide financial support for post-secondary studies to a young person who joined their family by legal adoption or other forms of permanency. One $3,000 bursary will be awarded annually from 2022-26. Read more about the Joy MacPhail Youth Bursary.

The Vancouver Film Studios Indigenous Bursary Program was established in 2022 in partnership with Vancouver Film Studios. It is intended to award financial assistance to Indigenous persons 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, etc. There is $12,000 of funding to be distributed; bursary amounts will vary depending on applicant needs. The maximum amount awarded to one applicant is $3,000. 

Applications

Applications are closed for the 2023 BC Orca Bursary Program and the Joy MacPhail Youth Bursary. 

Applications are closed for 2022 for the Vancouver Film Studios Indigenous Bursary Program. Check back later for information about 2023 applications. 

Guidelines

The following guidelines apply to all three bursary programs. In addition, each bursary has its own eligibility requirements; see the application forms for details. 

• All approved applications, (completed, meeting all eligibility requirements and submitted on time) will be forwarded for an initial screening process. 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 AFABC award. 
• Previous AFABC bursary award recipients are permitted to re-apply in a new bursary year.
• All AFABC program clients are permitted to apply for AFABC bursaries.
• Current AFABC staff, board members, committee members, contractors and their respective children are not eligible to apply for AFABC bursaries.
• Former AFABC staff, board members, committee members, contractors and their respective children are eligible to apply for AFABC bursaries 12 months after their organizational role has concluded.

Here's What Our Past Winners Say...

“It helped me be able to go to school full time so I will be able to achieve my dream career!”
- 2017 Howard Legacy Youth Fund Winner

“This bursary helped me get my foot in the door of the world of ECE [early-childhood education].”
- 2018 AFABC Youth Bursary Winner

“This Bursary will go a long way for me and the future of my family, it will allow me to focus on my school and be the first person in my family to pursue higher education."
- 2021 Howard Legacy Youth Fund Winner

Meet 2021 bursary recipient Elizabeth Hunter

Eligibility Requirements

BC Orca Bursary Program 

• You are currently a BC resident.
• You must be a full-time student. 
• You are a youth in or from government care in BC (according to the definition above specified by the Ministry of Child and Family Development- MCFD- with special consideration for extenuating circumstances)
• You are 26 years of age or younger at the application deadline.
• You are registered, or plan to be registered, in a post-secondary program at an accredited BC institution resulting in a degree or diploma. Your start date must be within one year of the application deadline. *Proof of enrollment will be required if selected as a recipient.

Joy MacPhail Youth Bursary

• You are currently a BC resident.
• You must be a full-time student.
• You are a youth who has joined their family by legal adoption or other forms of permanency.
• You are between the ages of 17 and 26 by the date of the application deadline.
• You are registered, or plan to be registered, in a post-secondary program at an accredited BC institution resulting in a degree or diploma. *Proof of enrollment will be required if selected as a recipient*

Vancouver Film Studios Indigenous Bursary Program

• You are currently a BC resident.
• You identify as an Indigenous person.
• You are applying for this funding in order to pursue an educational, training or skill-based opportunity for the purpose of advancing your career. 
• Special consideration will be given to those who have spent time in government care.
• There is no age requirement for this bursary.

Contact

If you have any questions or need assistance, please email bursaries@bcadoption.com.

Donate

AFABC is actively fundraising for the BC Orca Bursary Program. To donate:

• Visit our online donation page and indicate your giving preference
• Contact info@bcadoption.com or 604-320-7330 ext 100