3 students walking outside on VIU Nanaimo Campus

VIU Scholarships Awards and Bursaries

Entrance awards for new students 

application open now until January 31, 2026

Thinking about starting VIU in the fall of 2026? Apply here for an Entrance Award. 

Our community supports VIU students

We gave students more than $6.7 million in VIU scholarships, awards and bursaries and grants during the 2024-25 year. VIU scholarships, awards and bursaries are funded by the University, government grants and donations from hundreds of private donors.

The VIU Awards Committee handles the application process. It sets the rules for the VIU scholarship, award and bursary program. It also selects recipients. Representatives from across VIU make up the committee. Each award has its own criteria, and students that submit their profile application will be considered for all awards they are eligible for. 

Important dates

  • September 1: Student Awards Profile application opens for current full-time VIU students
  • October 30 at midnight: deadline to apply for bursaries
  • November 1 to January 31: Entrance Award Application only for prospective students open
  • Early January: students selected for bursaries will be notified by email and tuition credits applied before the tuition due date once we confirm enrollment
  • February to March: students selected for Entrance awards will be notified by email
  • March 30 at midnight: deadline for current students to apply for scholarships and awards
  • March 31 to August 31: profile closed for internal updates and awards selections
  • May to July: students selected for other awards and scholarships will be notified by email
  • September: enrolment is checked for students who have been selected for awards and scholarships; tuition credits applied before the tuition due date

Find more information

Criteria

Scholarships reward good grades. They may also require the recipient to show qualities that match the donor's priorities, like community involvement.  To qualify for a scholarship, students must meet the following:

  • Achieve a semester and cumulative GPA of 3.50 (A- average).
  • Maintain a semester course load of 80%. This is 12 credits for most programs.
  • Students with a documented permanent disability can take a reduced course load of 60%. This is 9 credits for most programs.

Awards recognize academic achievement. They may also require the recipient to show special qualities. These qualities must match the priorities of the donor, such as community involvement or financial need.  To qualify for an award, students must meet the following:

  • Achieve a semester and cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B+ average).
  • Maintain a semester course load of 60%. This is 9 credits for most programs.
  • Students with a documented permanent disability may have a reduced course load of 40%. This is 6 credits for most programs.

Bursaries are for students who demonstrate a financial shortfall and high financial need. To qualify for a bursary, students must meet the following:

  • Achieve a semester and cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C average)
  • Maintain a semester course load of 60%. This is 9 credits for most programs.
  • Students with a documented permanent disability may have a reduced course load of 40%. This is 6 credits for most programs.

In all cases, students who are enrolled with a higher course load will be given first consideration for awards.  Split enrollments do not qualify as part of the required course load.

If you have received an award, you must contact the Financial Aid Office if you make any enrolment changes or withdraw from any classes.

Interested in donating funds for students?

Please contact our Advancement and Alumni Relations Office