Foundation Bursary Program

Our 2023 bursary recipients have been announced. In total, more than $49,000 was awarded this year.

Our sincere congratulations go to the following students:

Dr. John and Kathy Scarfo Bursary Fund (11 awards): Erin Campbell; Javier Carlos; Anika Freidt; Gradon Freidt; Lindsey Jones; Alexandria Johnstone; Alyse Kohler-Mergel; Spencer Kingzett; Kalezafar Lawrence; Jessica ter Wolbeek; Megan Tiessen 

L&R Supplementary Bursary Fund: Jessie Fleet 

Eva and Herbert Rosinger Scholarship Fund: Jamison Foster, Josie Nickle 

Culver Family Bursary Fund: Amy Lucich 

Irene and Charles Armstrong Bursary Fund: Kaitlyn Nightingale 

South Okanagan Indigenous Education Fund (2 awards): Cassidy Burns, Kayla Burns 

Sharon Amos Legacy Fund for the Arts (4 awards): Maya Halverson; Samuel Kliever; Emily Nguyen; Ellia Schutz  

Alana Matthew Fund: Miles Murphy 

Lynn and Brian Jackson Endowment for Fine Arts: Hannah Ruttan 

Thea Haubrich Legacy Fund: Miles Murphy 

General Eligibility Requirements

The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen offers bursaries to both graduating and returning students (Including adult students) in the South Okanagan Similkameen.

Eligible applicants must:

  • be graduating from high school in the Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen this year, or have graduated from high school in the RDOS within the last five years; OR
  • have been a resident of the South Okanagan Similkameen region for at least the last five years.

For inquiries about the bursary program, please contact Kevin Ronaghan at grants@cfso.net.

When to Apply

Applications will be accepted from April 1 through June 2, 2023. Please see the following table for the complete 2023 bursary program timeline:

April 1, 2023June 2, 2023June 5 – 30, 2023Starting July 2023Starting July 2023
Bursary cycle opensBursary cycle closes.
All applications must
be received by 5pm.
Applications are reviewed
and recommendations are made.
All applicants are notified
and award forms are sent out.
Awards are sent
to institutions
and/or paid out to students.

Application Process

PLEASE NOTE: We use a online application system.  If you are unable to apply online, please contact our Grants Administrator at (236) 500-1243.

To begin your application: click on the “Apply Now” button below. You will be redirected to the online application system where you will be asked to create an account with a login name and password.

If you have applied to our bursary program in a previous year, please log in with your existing username and password. If you don’t remember your existing login information, please click the “Forgot Password” link.

Once you have created your account, you can start your application by clicking on the “Application – 2023 CFSOS Bursary” link. 

You can access your application at anytime prior to final submission by logging in with your username and password.  

Available Bursaries

In 2023, the following endowment funds will offer bursary awards:

  1. Sharon Amos Legacy Fund for the Arts
  2. Dr. John & Kathy Scarfo Bursary Fund
  3. Thea Haubrich Legacy Fund
  4. South Okanagan Indigenous Education Fund
  5. Culver Family Bursary Fund
  6. Lynn & Brian Jackson Endowment for Fine Arts
  7. Irene & Charles Armstrong Bursary Fund
  8. L&R Supplementary Bursary Fund
  9. Eva & Herbert Rosinger Scholarship Fund
  10. Alanna Matthew Fund
  11. Kaleden Bursary Fund (please see instructions below to apply for this fund)

Eligibility criteria for each of these funds are found by clicking on the fund name below. Please carefully review the criteria before starting your application.  Applicants are welcome to apply for multiple bursaries, provided they meet the criteria of each bursary they apply for.

How to qualify:

  1. Pursuing education in the Fine Arts, preferably performing arts
  2. Preference given to those with financial need
  3. Open to youth and adult students

Award amounts:

This fund will typically offer three $500 awards.

How to qualify:

  1. Pursuing any form of education to improve their lives and better support their families
  2. Must demonstrate financial need
  3. Open to youth and adult students
  4. Must live an active & healthy lifestyle (no smoking/no drugs)

Award amounts:

This fund typically will offer about ten $3,000 awards.

How to qualify:

  1. Pursuing education in art and artistic training.
  2. Preference given to those with financial need
  3. Open to youth and adult students

Award amounts:

This fund will typically offer one or two awards from $250 to $500 each.

How to qualify:

  1. Student self-identifies as Indigenous
  2. Pursuing post-secondary education to improve their lives and better support their families
  3. Preference given to those with financial need
  4. Open to youth and adult students

Award amounts:

This fund will typically offer two or three $700 awards.

How to qualify:

  1. Preference given to students entering at least the second year of an undergraduate degree program, or entering a graduate program in modern languages or linguistics, classic languages and native languages
  2. Second preference given to students at least the second year of an undergraduate degree program, or entering a graduate program in Humanities which may include, philosophy, anthropology or sociology.

Award amount:

This fund will offer one $1,400 award.

How to qualify:

  1. Must be pursuing post-secondary education in a fine arts program at a university, college or trade school with recognized degrees or certificates.

Award amount:

This fund will offer one $500 award.

How to qualify:

  1. Pursuing any form of education to improve their lives and better support their families
  2. Must demonstrate financial need
  3. Open to youth and adult students
  4. Open to students who have a permanent mental health impairment recognized by the appropriate ministry of the Province of British Columbia

Award amount:

This fund will offer one $1,000 award.

How to qualify:

  1. Pursuing any form of education to upgrade employment qualification (i.e. trades programs)
  2. Must demonstrate financial need
  3. Preference given to single parents

Award amount:

This fund will offer one $800 award.

How to qualify:

  1. Must be entering into or continuing studies in engineering or physical sciences (such as chemistry, physics, astronomy, biology, etc.)
  2. Demonstrated financial need
  3. The character of the individual, as determined by the Grants Committee
  4. Demonstrate commitment to complete schooling

Award amounts:

This fund will offer one or two awards totalling $3,530.

How to qualify:

  1. A person wishing to advance their education in the arts (including writing, dance, performing arts and visual arts)
  2. Demonstrated financial need

Award amount:

This fund will offer one award for $240.00

How to qualify:

  1. Must live or have lived in the Kaleden area (including Twin Lakes/White Lake Road and St. Andrews by the Lake) and have attended Kaleden Elementary School. Mailing address must be in the Kaleden area (V0H 1K0)
  2. NOTE: You must apply for this bursary directly to the Kaleden Bursary Committee. Please click here to download the application instructions.

Apply Now (Deadline: June 2, 2023 @ 5 p.m.)

Featured Stories