YWCA Scholarships

Active participation (within six months) in one or more YWCA programs including but not limited to:

• Heron’s Nest Young Parents Services/YWCA Emma's Childcare

• YWCA Single Mothers’ Support Groups

• YWCA Crabtree Corner

• YWCA Second stage transition housing/Single Mothers Housing

• YWCA Employment Services (includes WorkBC)

• YWCA Strive

• YWCA Early Learning and Child Care

YWCA Scholarships are designed for single mothers* living on low incomes who are committed to pursuing post-secondary education to enhance their family's future.

*A single mother is defined as a person not living with an intimate partner, with dependent children under the age of 19 living with them at least 40% of the time.

The Futures Scholarship is available to single mothers in financial need with at least one child aged 12 or under.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully read through the following details and ensure they meet all the requirements prior to completing the Pre-registration form.

Exclusions: Current YWCA employees and their family members are ineligible.

Eligibility Criteria

• YWCA Participant
• Canadian Citizen or Permanent Residency
• Low-income
• Live in Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley
• Applicants must currently be accepted or enrolled in a post-secondary program
• Schools must be accredited and recognized by the industry. List of Designated Educational Institutions (note: public post-secondary institutions are preferred)
• Pre-requisite training is acceptable
• Programs may be full-time or part-time
• Programs must align with strong labour market demand
• Applicant is lacking marketable skills to obtain sustainable employment
• Applicants must demonstrate how they will cover living expenses during their studies (e.g. student loans, employment income)
• Master's programs will be considered if required for licensing purposes and up to the discretion of the Scholarship Committee
• Current YWCA employees and their family members are ineligible

• The scholarship serves as secondary funding, requiring applicants to contribute financially through sources such as student loans, government grants, family support, employment or other scholarships

• The scholarship can cover tuition and fees, and books paid directly to the school

• This scholarship will not pay for any balance in arrears to a post-secondary institution

• Application intake is in the Fall and Spring each year

• Other guidelines as outlined on the YWCA Scholarship Application

A Scholarship package should include the following. Please be prepared to submit the documentation listed below:

• Completed YWCA Scholarship Application
• TWO current letters of reference, one from a YWCA staff and one personal (e.g. teacher, employer, counsellor, clergy, a volunteer coordinator)
• Official proof of registration at a post-secondary institution (must include contact information for verification purposes)
• Copies of transcripts
• Current resume
• Proof of income (e.g. most recent T4 or tax assessment)
• StudentAid BC Notice of Assessment (if applicable)