Education is more important today than ever before and the costs of education continue to increase. So, how do our students cope? Some get support from their families, but many rely heavily on part-time work and loans. Most students could benefit from more financial assistance.
You can help by investing in their education. It is not just the money you give, it is the time it buys. Through our Scholarship and Bursary Program, you can provide recognition to outstanding students, ease their financial burdens, and allow them to focus solely on their studies. Keep in mind that above all else, your generosity is an expression of confidence in our students and their talents.
When considering whether you will support our students by establishing a scholarship or bursary, you need to ask yourself the following questions:
- Will I establish a scholarship or bursary?
- Do I wish to establish an endowed or an annual scholarship or bursary?
- Do I want my support to go to academic or career program students, to students involved in athletics, or to students who focus on a particular field of study?
- Do I wish to contribute to an existing scholarship or bursary in my particular area of interest?
What is the Difference Between a Scholarship and a Bursary?
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and recognize outstanding academic achievement. Some scholarships have additional criteria such as registration in a specific program or a certain level of studies, or evidence of community involvement.
Bursaries are awarded to students who have a demonstrated financial need as well as satisfactory academic standing. Some bursaries have additional criteria such as a specified minimum academic standing, specific program registration or level of studies.
An Endowed or an Annual Award?
As a donor, you can choose to establish an endowed or an annual award and you may designate your gift to a specific area of the College.
Endowed Scholarships and Bursaries are gifts that keep on giving. The capital (the donation) is held in perpetuity and invested, with the interest from the investment being distributed as the annual award. Endowments provide an ongoing source of income for scholarships and bursaries. Donors may name endowed scholarships or bursaries in memory of a loved one, in honour of anniversaries or events, or in recognition of the their commitment to a specified area of interest. It is important to note that Langara College has a Matching Gift Program for endowed donations which converts a contribution to double its value.
Annual Scholarships and Bursaries are awards where your donation is made each year and all of the funds received are disbursed to students in that year. These awards are another major source of financial aid to our student body and unlike endowed awards, these awards cease to exist when the annual donations cease. In addition, annual awards are not matched by the College.
To discuss how you can create a new student award or contribute to an existing one, please contact us today or download the Donation Form to accompany your gift (Cheque, Visa, Mastercard), and mail it to the address identified on it. We will contact you upon receipt of your gift to create the criteria that guides our distribution of funds.
