The Columbia Basin Trust is encouraging local students in need of financial assistance to apply for its region-wide Bursary Program.
The program aims to provide post-secondary students living in the Kootenays with up to $1,500 to study at College of the Rockies and Selkirk College and up to $500 to study at Okanagan College Revelstoke, alleviating some financial burden and allowing them to stay in the community and study locally.
The bursary has supported regional students with $122,000 in the last year and $1.1 million since 2012.
College of the Rockies student Ashley Giesbrecht and Selkirk College Program student Jaden How have made use of program while completing nursing degrees at their respective schools.
Giesbrecht graduated recently with a Bachelor of Science in nursing and is now working as a registered nurse, while How is currently completing her second year in nursing at Selkirk.
“Instead of dividing my focus between part-time jobs, the bursary gave me the chance to concentrate on my studies and immerse myself in practicum opportunities, which are so important to the hands-on nature of my nursing program,” said Giesbrecht.
“I was able to stay in my community, be in school with my friends and get the support I needed from my family," she added. "Doing my nursing degree in Cranbrook was an amazing experience, and I have great mentors here who will really support me as a new graduate. This is where I want to live and start my career.”
How said she appreciates being able to study at a school with smaller class sizes.
"The smaller class sizes support my learning needs and have helped me build personal connections," she said. "I like living in a smaller community, and having that support network has made a real difference in my education."
