Scholarships
Scholarships
The Scholarship Foundation of the Pacific awards a new scholarship every calendar year to a deserving Haida Gwaii student in conjunction with Simon Fraser University.
Earned through outstanding academic achievement in high school, a qualifying Essay program and arduous interview process, each prestigious award includes tuition, airfare, meal/accommodation plan plus all books and fees.
Working closely with Simon Fraser University and through the generous support of individual and corporate benefactors, the Foundation has created an endowment at Simon Fraser University to support the scholarship students.
In addition, two significant fund-raising events per year, a golf tournament in March and our Langara Fishing Adventures Trip in August, augment our financial campaign.
Our goal is to raise the bar where we can and to change the future through education on Haida Gwaii.
HOW TO APPLY
Scholarship & University Application Process
1. Apply to Simon Fraser University (SFU)
Submit your application to Simon Fraser University
Deadline: January 31
2. Prepare and Submit Scholarship Application
Submit to Beverley Kniffen: beverley@cascadiarealty.ca
Deadline: Last week of January of your graduation year
3. Required Application Content
Your application should include:
Future plans
Programs you are applying for
Reasons for choosing your field of study
Post-graduation goals
Personal background and life experiences
4. Required Documentation
Applicants are required to submit the following:
Official transcripts
Letters of recommendation from:
- School officials
- Community representativesPersonal letter outlining educational and career goals
Submission Instructions:
All materials must be forwarded to the Executive Director of the Scholarship Foundation of the Pacific
Timeline: January of the student's graduating year
5. Addltional Supporting Materials
Please also include:
Three letters of reference
High school grades (last two years)
List of special programs completed
Volunteer work
Sports and extracurricular activities
Note: The selection committee reviews all factors - grades are NOT the only consideration.
6. Apply for Student Housing
Apply to the housing waitlist as soon as possible
Visit: sfu.ca/students/residences
Students are encouraged to live in residence during their first year
7. Additional Resources
Review SFU prospective student booklets
Visit the SFU website for more information on degree programs
8. Key Benefit
This scholarship offers a valuable opportunity to graduate with little to no substantial debt, helping you begin your post-university life on strong financial footing.
If you have any questions about SFU degree programs or the application process, please contact:
Madison Chad, Indigenous Student Recruitment Coordinator
indigenous_students@sfu.ca
or
Sarah Willson or Alexander Rosende-Tabunar,
Student Recruitment Coordinators for BC School District #50 (Haida Gwaii)
regionalmgr_sa@sfu.ca
Good Luck and we look forward to meeting each of you.Students in their graduating year in a Haida Gwaii high schools who wish to apply for the scholarship at Simon Fraser University should notify their teachers and principal of their intentions at the beginning of their final year of high school. The required documentation includes transcripts, letters of recommendation from school officials and community representatives and a letter from the applicant describing their educational and career goals. This documentation is to be forwarded to the Executive Director, Scholarship Foundation of the Pacific in December of the student’s graduating year.
The Foundation works on Zoom with the schools to develop a short list of candidates who are then invited to a face to face interview with representatives of the Board of Directors of the Foundation.
The Foundation will select the scholarship recipient who will complete an application to Simon Fraser University. The recipient will forward a transcript of their final grades to the university as soon as they are available.
Significant impact
The scholarships have had a significant impact on the communities of Haida Gwaii. The program is well known throughout the Islands and the students often begin to prepare themselves to compete for the scholarships from the time they enter Grade 8. The students, school administrators and parents appreciate that these are rare opportunities and as such, the scholarships are highly sought—after and highly valued.
Since 2001, the Foundation has awarded 19 scholarships. Each of these students have distinguished themselves with the majority maintaining a 3.5 GPA.
“This scholarship is not just about financial support—it is about belief, belonging, and standing alongside our students as they pursue their goals. The Scholarship Foundation of the Pacific embodies this spirit by not only easing financial barriers, but by affirming each student’s potential and walking with them on their journey. When students feel that kind of encouragement behind them, they are empowered to achieve far beyond what they may have imagined.”
“In addition to students who have excelled in school and have a real desire to continue their education, we are looking for individuals who have demonstrated leadership in their peer group and are involved in some volunteer capacity in their community.”
“Beyond the obvious financial relief that the Scholarship Foundation of the Pacific has provided our family, it has given all of us a tremendous sense of pride in Kaiya’s hard work and accomplishments. The scholarship had been her goal for many years and to see this come to fruition was extremely rewarding for all of us. The scholarship also carried extra meaning for our family as my wife and I worked for Langara Fishing Adventures at the time of the scholarship’s inception and I had a personal connection to Roger Earle and Kane Fernandez, the two long time Langara guests in whose memories the scholarship was created to honour. I had the chance to guide Roger Earle fishing on Haida Gwaii and I picked local flowers that were spread from a helicopter into the waters around Langara Island in a moving celebration of life ceremony for Kane Fernandez. I feel fortunate to have made these connections as the passion that they shared for Haida Gwaii was contagious and continues to manifest itself through the legacy of the scholarship. Our family feels so much appreciation for both of these men and the foundation that is dedicated to carry on the legacy. We can’t help but feel that things have come full circle in a wonderful way! ”
