Getting into the university of your choice can be exciting but getting and not paying a thing is even better. UFV offers a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to choose from. However, the best is undoubtedly entrance scholarships. If you can prove yourself academically and externally (through community service or volunteer efforts) by landing a GPA of 3.5 or higher, you can potentially have a full-ride scholarship at UFV. First, let’s cover the basics. Entrance scholarships are usually worth around $5000 to $2,500 in the first semester and $2,500 towards the next semester.
Additionally, an entrance scholarship can be renewable for up to three years totalling $20,000. Deadlines for scholarships are due by March 1st, and GPA calculation is based on your grades 11-12. You’ll also need to provide a cover letter that details all your volunteering efforts as well as any academic achievements. Finally, you’ll need to provide a reference list to back up all your accomplishments. That said, here are the top 3 entrance scholarships you can get at UFV.
UFV Excellence Entrance Scholarship
First off is the UFV entrance scholarship award; this award has a very achievable GPA standard at a 3.0 GPA or B average. More importantly, this scholarship is only available to students attending high school within the Fraser Valley. It’s a great incentive for local students to attend their local university to boost domestic numbers. Thus, if you take your courses seriously enough in high school, this scholarship can potentially be yours. The payout equates to $3,000 in total for a year, split between $1,500 per semester. However, if you fall below a 3.0 GPA, then your scholarship will not be renewed. The best aspect of these scholarships is its relatively low GPA average to be eligible to apply for it, as well as a comfy (potentially) $3,000 to cushion your first year at UFV, which is plenty for a full course load for two semesters. The next scholarship focuses more on retaining a high GPA average.
UFV/Community Endowment Entrance Scholarship
The UFV entrance scholarship is exclusive, meaning that you cannot claim this scholarship and another one. The UFV scholarship is potentially a full-ride scholarship and is no joke; with a maximum of $20,000 over 4 years, you’ll be graduating without worrying about tuition, that is, if you can keep your grades up. The caveat to this scholarship is the higher GPA requirement of a 4,0 GPA from your high school transcript, as well as maintaining a 3.5 GPA or higher once you’re in the program you’ve applied for at UFV. This is a highly competitive scholarship because it’s not region locked and like the first scholarship.
UFV President’s Entrance Scholarship
Finance wise the UFV president’s scholarship is just as viable; however, with a max of $16,000 over four years, it can get tight (or stressful), especially for students living independently. The good part is that this scholarship has a lower GPA requirement sitting at a 3.0 GPA, just like the excellence scholarship. However, an interesting part about this scholarship is that it gives you more breathing room during your first year, with an extra $1,000 over the excellence scholarship. Nevertheless, once you’ve received the scholarship, you’ll have to maintain that 3.0 GPA limit, else you forfeit any renewal periods. The con to this is that it’s even more competitive due to the lower GPA average needed to apply, and there’s not much you can do to supplement your grades.
One of the easiest things you can do to prepare for your first semester at UFV is by taking a look at all the scholarships and bursaries available on their site (link here). More often than not, many bursaries sit because students simply don’t apply, whether out of defeatism or because they don’t feel like it. Earning a couple hundred dollars to cushion those tuition fees can be monumental for some people. So just take a look before it’s too late.
