Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
Local youth can apply for more than $120,000 in scholarships and bursaries this year thanks to donors through the Columbia Valley Community Foundation (CVCF).
Students pursuing further education at universities, colleges, technical and trade schools are encouraged to apply for these funds if they have spent their formative (K-12) years in the Columbia Valley, defined as the area stretching from Spillimacheen to Canal Flats.
These awards are not just for new high school graduates heading off to college or university, according to CVCF Executive Director Thiloma Hofer. She noted that community members are eligible to receive awards twice in their lifetime and can apply between the ages of 17 and 35. “So, if you have embarked on a new career and are retraining, we encourage you to investigate this opportunity,” she said.
For example, the Arnold Ellis Scholarships, Bidder Bursary and Erwin Kloos Memorial Scholarship are applicable to any field of study. The Alan J. Witherspoon Memorial Fine Arts Fund provides support to those pursuing a career in the fine arts.
“Past recipients consistently express gratitude not only for the funds that alleviate the financial burden of higher education, but also the sense that the rest of the Valley is cheering them on,” Hofer said, expressing her thanks to the donors.
