The VPABC Bursary is awarded to students who meet the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled, or planning to enroll in September of this year, at any public post-secondary institution or trade school in British Columbia.
• One of the student’s parents must be of Vietnamese descent, OR the student has volunteered with a Vietnamese-Canadian non-profit organization for more than twelve months.
• The student has not received a VPABC Bursary Award within the past four (4) years.
• Have a proven track record of volunteering with non-profit organizations in BC (volunteering with Vietnamese-Canadian organizations is considered a bonus), OR involved in any school, provincial, or national sport or academic teams.
• Consideration will also be given to any employment held by the student to help fund their education or ease their family’s financial burdens, which may have affected their ability to participate in extensive volunteer work.
• British Columbia must be the student’s home province.

• Notice of enrollment or welcome letter from a public post-secondary institution or trade school.
• Most recent report card.
• Two reference letters, with at least one verifying your involvement in a non-profit organization (volunteer service), a school/provincial/national team coach or supervisor, or from an employer.
• Your essay and your resume.
• Essay (maximum 600 words): “Describe your achievements in relation to your career goals, and how you will leverage them to support and strengthen the Vietnamese-Canadian community in BC. Please provide specific examples/strategies, and outline how you plan to stay engaged with the community.”
• Proof of status (Canadian citizenship or permanent resident): Required only if selected as a recipient.
• Proof of Vietnamese heritage (at least one parent), OR proof of at least 12 months of volunteer service with a Vietnamese-Canadian non-profit organization (reference letter): Required only if selected as a recipient.
• Please note that personal information is being collected in accordance with the VPABC Privacy Policy, which can be found here: https://www.vpabc.ca/privacy-policy/

• Notice of enrollment or welcome letter from a public post-secondary institution or trade school in British Columbia.
• Two reference letters, with at least one verifying your involvement in a non-profit organization (volunteer service), a school/provincial/national team coach or supervisor, or from an employer.
• Essay (maximum 600 words): “Please write a short essay describing your background, your journey to your present situation, and how you have overcome adversity to pursue your goals. The adversity may include, for example, financial hardship, family circumstances, health challenges, immigration experience, etc.”
• Proof of status (Canadian citizen or permanent resident): Required only if selected as a recipient.
• Proof of Vietnamese heritage (at least one parent), OR proof of at least 12 months of volunteer service with a Vietnamese-Canadian non-profit organization (reference letter required): Required only if selected as a recipient.
• Your 2025 Tax Assessment (including your parents’ Tax Assessment if they are part of your current household): Required only if selected as a recipient.
• Please note that personal information is being collected in accordance with the VPABC Privacy Policy, which can be found here: https://www.vpabc.ca/privacy-policy/