Over $37,000 up for grabs for local students!

Are you or someone you know pursuing a post-secondary education? Do you live in the South Okanagan Similkameen or have graduated from a high school located in the boundaries of the Regional District of Okanagan – Similkameen in the last five years? If so, you may be eligible for bursaries from the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan | Similakmeen (CFSOS).

The CFSOS has expanded its educational awards program and is now offering bursaries ranging from $250 to $6000. Bursaries are financial-need based awards that do not rely on academic achievements nor have to be repaid.

“There are five different endowment funds that will be offering bursaries to local students of all ages. These endowment funds have been created by local donors who believe in the value of education and its power to improve quality of life for an individual and their family. Each endowment fund has certain specifications about who they want their funds to be awarded to,” explains Aaron McRann, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan | Similkameen.

The Sharon Amos Legacy Fund for the Arts was established after the death of well-known community leader, Sharon Amos.  The Fund awards bursaries to students pursuing education in music and arts, preferably performing arts.  The Fund has awarded $8,400 to local students since its creation in 2010.

The Dr. John & Kathy Scarfo Bursary Fund awards to students who live an active and healthy lifestyle and who are pursuing education in an effort to improve life for themselves and their families. In 2015, this Fund awarded four $6000 bursaries to local students who are in financial need.

The South Okanagan Aboriginal Education Fund was established in 2013 by anonymous donors from the area.  Shortly after the announcement of this new Fund another anonymous donor came forward and donated an additional $10,000 to the bursary fund.  The Fund has awarded $2,190 in the past three years to local Aboriginal students pursuing an education.

The Thea Haubrich Legacy Fund was created after the tragic death of Thea Haubrich in 2013.  Thea was a leading practitioner and promoter of Encaustic Art.  The endowment fund was established with the goal of providing ongoing financial support to artists, with a focus on encaustic art, wanting to further their education.  The Thea Haubrich Legacy Fund has awarded $700 in the past two years.