Application Deadline
The application deadline for the refugee awards is January 31st of each year. Successful applicants will be notified within six weeks of the application deadline.
Description
Each of the refugee awards is awarded to a refugee who has shown courage and determination while adapting to a new language and new culture in Canada. Each refugee award is valued at $4,000.
Each of the TCF refugee awards is awarded to an applicant who meets the following criteria.
- Entered Canada as a refugee
- Completed Grade 12 at a secondary school in British Columbia OR has completed high school equivalency, for example the GED.
- Studied English language [EL] in British Columbia or elsewhere in Canada. A transcript is required documenting successful completion of a minimum of one English language course.
- Applicants who are secondary [high school] students are required to submit a mark transcript documenting completion of a minimum of one English language course in British Columbia or Canada.
- Applicants who are not secondary students are required to submit documentation showing successful completion of a minimum of one English language course completed in British Columbia or Canada.
- Please note that preference will be given to applicants who studied the English language [EL] in British Columbia.
- Wishes to study in a vocational or academic program at a post-secondary institution in British Columbia
- Has documented school and/or community volunteer service.
Application Requirements
Applicants for one of the refugee awards are required to submit:
- Two Personal Essays:
- A written description of the applicant’s life before and after coming to Canada. The description must be approximately 500 words in length and double-spaced.
- A personal essay with the original copy signed by the applicant. The essay must be two pages in length, double-spaced and approximately 500 words in length. Applicants must address the following two questions in their essay:
- How will having a post-secondary education make a difference in the applicant’s life?
- What post-secondary program is the applicant planning to enter and what is the reason for choosing that specific program?
- Two Letters of Reference:
- One from a teacher or instructor regarding the applicant’s academic performance
- One from an administrator, counselor, coach, sponsor, or coordinator regarding the applicant’s school or community volunteer service
- Documented proof that the applicant entered Canada as a refugee and has permanent residency or Canadian citizenship.
- Transcripts documenting a minimum of one English language course completed in British Columbia or Canada.
- Please note that preference will be given to applicants who studied English language [EL] in British Columbia.
- A letter of acceptance from a post-secondary vocational or academic institution.
- Please note that preference will be given to applicants who are able to attach a letter of acceptance from a post-secondary vocational or academic program.
- A completed application form by January 31st.
Disbursement of Funds
- Funds will be disbursed as follows:
- The recipient must commence post-secondary education and the funds must be disbursed within 12 months of acceptance of the award, except upon receipt of a written request for extension due to unforeseen circumstances.
- The recipient must submit registration receipts from a BC post-secondary institution prior to the disbursement of funds.
- Disbursements will only be made after the institution’s deadline date for withdrawal from the program.
Application Submission
Applications for the refugee awards must be submitted by January 31st.
Completed online applications will be submitted directly to the TCF at BC TEAL. If, however, you were unable to upload or copy and paste any required document(s) into this form, please email the document(s) to tcf.admin@bcteal.org. On your email with the documents, include your name and the line, ‘Refugee award application documentation”.
The TEAL Charitable Foundation is committed to accessibility. If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact tcf.admin@bcteal.org for help.
