Education: CFUW Kelowna Academic Awards Program
CFUW Kelowna is an organization that strives to improve the status of women and encourage higher education for women so our awards are aimed at those who identify as female. To meet this goal we offer academic awards for students enrolled at Okanagan College through the Okanagan College Foundation, for students graduating from high school through the Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society (COBSS), and one award for a female student in Engineering at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan (UBCO). The many thank you notes and conversations from appreciative award winners confirm that our efforts are making a difference. They help relieve some of the financial pressure students face and provide emotional support, encouragement and validation. More than one student has indicated that receiving an award has allowed them to pursue a higher education because it eased their financial stress. The community also benefits from our support for students studying locally. Research from UBCO shows that 60 percent of graduates remain in the Okanagan, helping to meet employment, expertise, and economic needs of this area. Approximately $19,000-20,000 in awards is presented annually. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia for awards provided through funds from gaming grants.
To apply for any of the following awards, please refer to the institution websites.
Okanagan College students
CFUW Kelowna Bursaries from Gaming Funds
One or more $1,000 awards for a self-identified female with preference given to single mothers, who have completed a minimum of one semester in any degree or diploma program at the Kelowna Campus of Okanagan College and will be returning the following semester for further study. One of these awards is designated for a female in the Trades Foundation program. In 2023-2024 four awards of $1000 each were given.
CFUW Kelowna Endowment Awards Fund
At least one bursary of a minimum of $750 for a self-identified female student, with preference given to a single parent, who is enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program at the Kelowna Campus of Okanagan College. The award will be based on financial need. The number and amount of the bursaries each year is based on the value of the endowment fund. In 2023-2024 three awards of $1,100 each given.
CFUW Kelowna Additional Awards
The criteria and amount change depending on available CFUW funds and discussion with OC Foundation for areas of greatest need. In 2023-2024 no awards were given. We will be giving a memorial award in honour of one of our members in 2024-2025 for a student in the Therapy Assistant program.
The awards at Okanagan College are based on academic achievement and financial need, with an emphasis on financial need.
Selection will be made by an Okanagan College awards selection committee in conjunction with (a) representative(s) of the Canadian Federation of University Women – Kelowna.
Graduates from Secondary Schools in School District 23 through COBSS (Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society)
CFUW Kelowna Bursary (from Gaming funds)
One award of $2,000 for a student who identifies as female going on to study in BC. The award will be based on financial need critical to their ability to attend. In 2023-2024 one award of $2,000 was given.
CFUW – UBCO Bursary (from Gaming funds) Two awards of $2,000 for students who identify as female going on to study at UBCO. The awards will be based on financial need critical to their ability to attend. In 2023-2024 two awards of $2,000 each were given.
CFUW Kelowna Scholarship (from Endowment Fund)
This award is from the Endowment Fund established at COBSS by CFUW Kelowna and is in the amount of $2,000 annually for a student who identifies as female with a grade average greater than 90% who will be entering a post secondary institution with an intent to work in a health-related field. In 2023-2024 one award of $2,000 was given.
CFUW Kelowna Bursary for Creative Arts (from Club fund-raising, see bottom of page)
This award is generated from the fundraising done by CFUW Kelowna members. It is awarded to a student who identifies as female with demonstrated ability in a Creative Arts field who is pursuing post secondary education in that area. The award will be based on financial need critical to their ability to attend. In 2023-2024 one award of $2,000 was given.
Eligible applicants will be pre-selected by COBSS personnel with members of CFUW Kelowna choosing the successful applicants.
University of British Columbia Okanagan students
CFUW Kelowna Bursary in Engineering
Bursaries of $2,000 for female students entering third or fourth year in the School of Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus. The bursaries will be adjudicated by Enrolment Services. In each of 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 one award of $2,000 was given.
Additional Awards
When funds permit we are able to offer additional awards from time to time. Some recent ones are listed below.
2021-22 $4,000 was added to the CFUW Kelowna Bursary Trust Fund at COBSS
2020-21 2 additional awards at OC to celebrate the 60th anniversary of CFUW Kelowna
1 additional award at UBCO to celebrate the 60th anniversary of CFUW Kelowna
1 additional award at COBSS to celebrate the 60th anniversary of CFUW Kelowna
Award in memory of Sheila Paynter to an OC Early Childhood Education student
Award in memory of Denise Nahirney to a Health Sciences student at OC
An award for an indigenous student in Health Sciences at OC
2019-20 3 additional awards at OC to celebrate the 100th anniversary of CFUW National
2 additional awards at UBCO to celebrate the 100th anniversary of CFUW National
CFUW Kelowna is an organization that strives to improve the status of women and encourage higher education for women so our awards are aimed at those who identify as female. To meet this goal we offer academic awards for students enrolled at Okanagan College through the Okanagan College Foundation, for students graduating from high school through the Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society (COBSS), and one award for a female student in Engineering at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan (UBCO). The many thank you notes and conversations from appreciative award winners confirm that our efforts are making a difference. They help relieve some of the financial pressure students face and provide emotional support, encouragement and validation. More than one student has indicated that receiving an award has allowed them to pursue a higher education because it eased their financial stress. The community also benefits from our support for students studying locally. Research from UBCO shows that 60 percent of graduates remain in the Okanagan, helping to meet employment, expertise, and economic needs of this area. Approximately $19,000-20,000 in awards is presented annually. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia for awards provided through funds from gaming grants.
To apply for any of the following awards, please refer to the institution websites.
Okanagan College students
CFUW Kelowna Bursaries from Gaming Funds
One or more $1,000 awards for a self-identified female with preference given to single mothers, who have completed a minimum of one semester in any degree or diploma program at the Kelowna Campus of Okanagan College and will be returning the following semester for further study. One of these awards is designated for a female in the Trades Foundation program. In 2023-2024 four awards of $1000 each were given.
CFUW Kelowna Endowment Awards Fund
At least one bursary of a minimum of $750 for a self-identified female student, with preference given to a single parent, who is enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program at the Kelowna Campus of Okanagan College. The award will be based on financial need. The number and amount of the bursaries each year is based on the value of the endowment fund. In 2023-2024 three awards of $1,100 each given.
CFUW Kelowna Additional Awards
The criteria and amount change depending on available CFUW funds and discussion with OC Foundation for areas of greatest need. In 2023-2024 no awards were given. We will be giving a memorial award in honour of one of our members in 2024-2025 for a student in the Therapy Assistant program.
The awards at Okanagan College are based on academic achievement and financial need, with an emphasis on financial need.
Selection will be made by an Okanagan College awards selection committee in conjunction with (a) representative(s) of the Canadian Federation of University Women – Kelowna.
Graduates from Secondary Schools in School District 23 through COBSS (Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society)
CFUW Kelowna Bursary (from Gaming funds)
One award of $2,000 for a student who identifies as female going on to study in BC. The award will be based on financial need critical to their ability to attend. In 2023-2024 one award of $2,000 was given.
CFUW – UBCO Bursary (from Gaming funds) Two awards of $2,000 for students who identify as female going on to study at UBCO. The awards will be based on financial need critical to their ability to attend. In 2023-2024 two awards of $2,000 each were given.
CFUW Kelowna Scholarship (from Endowment Fund)
This award is from the Endowment Fund established at COBSS by CFUW Kelowna and is in the amount of $2,000 annually for a student who identifies as female with a grade average greater than 90% who will be entering a post secondary institution with an intent to work in a health-related field. In 2023-2024 one award of $2,000 was given.
CFUW Kelowna Bursary for Creative Arts (from Club fund-raising, see bottom of page)
This award is generated from the fundraising done by CFUW Kelowna members. It is awarded to a student who identifies as female with demonstrated ability in a Creative Arts field who is pursuing post secondary education in that area. The award will be based on financial need critical to their ability to attend. In 2023-2024 one award of $2,000 was given.
Eligible applicants will be pre-selected by COBSS personnel with members of CFUW Kelowna choosing the successful applicants.
University of British Columbia Okanagan students
CFUW Kelowna Bursary in Engineering
Bursaries of $2,000 for female students entering third or fourth year in the School of Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus. The bursaries will be adjudicated by Enrolment Services. In each of 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 one award of $2,000 was given.
Additional Awards
When funds permit we are able to offer additional awards from time to time. Some recent ones are listed below.
2021-22 $4,000 was added to the CFUW Kelowna Bursary Trust Fund at COBSS
2020-21 2 additional awards at OC to celebrate the 60th anniversary of CFUW Kelowna
1 additional award at UBCO to celebrate the 60th anniversary of CFUW Kelowna
1 additional award at COBSS to celebrate the 60th anniversary of CFUW Kelowna
Award in memory of Sheila Paynter to an OC Early Childhood Education student
Award in memory of Denise Nahirney to a Health Sciences student at OC
An award for an indigenous student in Health Sciences at OC
2019-20 3 additional awards at OC to celebrate the 100th anniversary of CFUW National
2 additional awards at UBCO to celebrate the 100th anniversary of CFUW National
The coffee and knitted animals, hats, leg warmers, Christmas items (and much more than can be shown) are a CLUB FUNDRAISER for the Education Awards. All knitted items are hand crafted and are sought after annually at craft fairs and through club members. We invite you to purchase knitted/crafted items or Femenino coffee by clicking below.
Click here for seller contact information [email protected]
(The coffee is grown by women on land they own and they receive a little extra per pkg above the fair trade organic price. The coffee is roasted in Salmon Arm by Shuswap coffee. And it is delicious! An agreed-upon amount from each item of coffee sold is contributed to CFUW Kelowna's Academic Awards programs. The sale of coffee and knitted items generates several thousand dollars for the Awards program annually, a significant amount enabling increased monies awarded to students locally.)
Click here for seller contact information [email protected]
(The coffee is grown by women on land they own and they receive a little extra per pkg above the fair trade organic price. The coffee is roasted in Salmon Arm by Shuswap coffee. And it is delicious! An agreed-upon amount from each item of coffee sold is contributed to CFUW Kelowna's Academic Awards programs. The sale of coffee and knitted items generates several thousand dollars for the Awards program annually, a significant amount enabling increased monies awarded to students locally.)