Financial Aid and Awards
Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries
Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries are funding that the student does not need to repay.
Whether you are starting your very first semester or continuing your studies, a student award in the form of a scholarship or bursary can help you achieve your goals. Awards are available for full-time or part-time students in certificate, diploma or degree programs.
Application information
In order to apply for awards, you must have an Okanagan College ID number. You can view and apply for awards through your myOkanagan account.
How to apply for OC awards
Login to your myOkanagan account to apply for awards.
- Navigate to the Financial Aid and Awards section on the student or applicant page.
- Select apply for awards.
- Select the applications you want to submit and click on start application now to start your application.
- Follow the instructions on the application.
- Read the award criteria and select yes for the awards that you are eligible for.
- Select yes to the personal declaration.
- When application is successfully submitted, a green checkmark will be displayed
If additional documents are required, submit them by email to awards@okanagan.bc.ca in either a Word or PDF format. Please include your student ID number in your email.
Note: You do not need to submit the same document for multiple awards requiring it (e.g., reference letters, statements.)
Application dates
For self-identified Indigenous students
Fall semester
March 1 to September 15
Winter semester
December 15 to February 15
Summer semester
March 1 to May 31
For Students Entering their First Semester of Post-secondary Study at Okanagan College
High School entrance awards
December 1 - March 8 (award deadline) / March 15 (documentation deadline)
Fall semester
March 1 to September 15 - All Campuses, Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm and Vernon
Winter semester
December 15 to February 15 - All Campuses, Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm and Vernon
Summer semester
March 1 to May 31 - All Campuses and Kelowna
For students who have completed at least one semester of post-secondary study at Okanagan College
Fall semester
March 1 to July 31 - All Campuses, Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon
March 1 to May 31 - Salmon Arm
August 1 to September 15 - Okanagan College Tuition Bursary
Winter semester
December 15 to February 15 - All Campuses, Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm and Vernon, Okanagan College Tuition Bursary
Summer semester
March 1 to May 31 - All Campuses
For students who have or will complete their studies at Okanagan College by June of the current year
Winter semester
Mar 1 to May 31
For trades students who completed their studies between July 2022 to June 2023
Application deadline extended to April 30, 2023.
Trades Completion
February 1 to March 31
Okanagan College International Study Exchange Awards (up to 10 awards of $1,500 each) for students going on study exchange, activity and/or experience.
Deadline:
Ongoing until all available funds are committed.
Derek Cook Memorial Award for Global Exchanges (One or more annual awards of $500 each)
Deadline:
May 31.
Okanagan College Global Education Mobility Grant for Domestic Students (One or more awards from $1,000 to $10,000 each)
Deadline:
Ongoing until all available funds are committed.
Exchange award applications must be submitted prior to going on exchange. Applications submitted after the exchange may not be considered.
See the External Awards section for more information on exchange awards through other organizations.
High school entrance awards
Okanagan College President’s Entrance Scholarships
Eight Awards of up to $5000 for students entering full time studies in any university studies, degree or diploma program or any full-time certificate in Trades, Health or Continuing Studies. Students must be registered in a full 100% courseload.
Okanagan College Community Spirit Awards
Up to 40 awards of up to $1000 for students entering full time studies in any university studies, degree or diploma program or any full-time certificate in Trades, Health or Continuing Studies. Students must be registered in a minimum 80% courseload.
Okanagan College Board of Governors Entrance Awards
Three or more awards of $1000 for students entering full time studies in any university studies, degree or diploma program or any full-time certificate in Trades, Health or Continuing Studies. Students must be registered in a minimum 80% courseload.
Rick and Yasmin Thorpe & Friends Scholarship for Secondary School Graduates
Up to four awards of $2500 each for students graduating from a secondary school located in Penticton or Summerland. Students must be registered in a minimum 80% courseload.
Okanagan College Penticton Campus High School Entrance Scholarships
Two awards of $1000 for students entering the first year of full-time study in any university studies, degree, diploma, certificate or Trades Foundation program at the Penticton campus. Students must be registered in a minimum 60% courseload.
Johnstone Memorial Award
Two awards of $2400 for students entering full-time study in the social, physical, biological sciences, humanities or visual, practical or performing Arts at the Salmon Arm Campus. Students must be registered in a minimum 80% courseload.
Tony Sellar Leadership Entrance Scholarship
One award of approximately $800 for students entering full time studies in any university studies, degree or diploma program or any full-time certificate in Trades, Health or Continuing Studies at the Vernon Campus. Students must be registered in a minimum 80% courseload.
McGillivray Entrance Award for Business
One award of up to $5500 for student entering the Business Administration degree or diploma program at the Kelowna Campus. Students must be registered in a full 100% courseload.
Okanagan College Board of Governors Chairs' Entrance Award
One or more awards of $500 for students entering full time studies in any university studies, degree or diploma program or any full-time certificate in Trades, Health or Continuing Studies. Students must be registered in a minimum 80% courseload.
Fall 2024 High School entrance awards application: December 1, 2023 - March 8, 2024
**additional documentation will be accepted no later than Friday, March 15, 2024**
To apply for awards you will need apply through your myOkanagan portal. Login using your OC student email address (typically firstname.lastname@myokanagan.bc.ca) and password.
Prior to logging in you may need to setup the following:
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your mobile device to access your account. MFA information can be found here.
- Once you have MFA set up, you should receive a prompt to create a new password. If you encounter any difficulties, contact the IT Password Hotline at 250-862-5444 to secure your account, if you have not already done so.
- If you are having problems logging into your account, contact awards@okanagan.bc.ca for assistance.
Awards requirements (as soon as available or no later than the documentation deadline):
- an interim transcript to be sent directly to the Financial Aid & Awards department
- at least one reference letter from their school
- additional references from community/extracurricular/leadership involvement may also be beneficial
- email all additional documentation to awards@okanagan.bc.ca
Please see individual award criteria for specific course load requirements.
Thank you matters
If you receive an award, we ask that you acknowledge the generosity of the donor(s) by writing a thank you letter. You can inform the donor of how their donation has made an impact on you, about your aspirations, activities and future plans.
To help students we have prepared a thank you letter template (Word Document). This is only a guide to help you compose your letter, your letter does not have to follow this format.
If you are a recipient of multiple awards, please write a letter for each donor contact (these details will be provided in your confirmation of award).
If you are attending an award presentation, please bring your Letter of Thanks with you.
External awards
External awards are administered by organizations and agencies outside of OC. You can find additional award information below.
Lieutenant Governor’s Medal
The Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation was created to recognize students who excel in their studies and contribute to the life of their institution or community by promoting inclusion, democracy and/or reconciliation.
Eligible students include BC residents, out-of-province and international students enrolled in an eligible program of study at Okanagan College and will be graduating this academic year.
Awards are made possible thanks to generous community donors.