STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
The Chief Joe Mathias British Columbia Aboriginal Scholarship Fund (the “Fund”) is a nationally registered charity established in memory of the late Chief Joe Mathias to support his vision of post-secondary education for all First Nations people. The Fund is an incorporated society under the BC Societies Act.
The purpose of the Fund is to advance education by providing scholarships to deserving British Columbia First Nations students who demonstrate merit and financial need. Through this support, the Fund aims to improve access to post-secondary education so that First Nations students in British Columbia can acquire the knowledge and skills needed to participate in a changing economy and society.
Established with the financial assistance of the Ministry of Education and Child Care, and our donors, the goal of the BC First Nations Teacher Scholarship Program is to provide scholarships for First Nation students enrolled in teacher education programs offered by public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia, that lead to a Certificate of Qualification to teach in K–12 schools.
The Fall 2026 application process is a one time special intake that is occurring in addition to the spring 2026 teachers scholarship application process. Students who received funding in August 2026 are not eligible to apply for this intake.
All eligible applicants will be considered for scholarships of up to $5,000 annually.
ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS
The Fund will grant scholarships only to individuals who:
Are recognized members or citizens of a British Columbia First Nation;
Have been accepted into, or are currently enrolled in, a teacher education program at one of the following public post-secondary institutions as either a full-time or part-time student:
Simon Fraser University
Thompson Rivers University
University of British Columbia
University of Northern British Columbia
University of the Fraser Valley
University of Victoria
Vancouver Island University
Are in teacher education programs leading to a Certificate of Qualification offered by the above institutions are eligible, including:(a) Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree; or(b) post-degree professional or post-baccalaureate teacher education programs (where a student has already completed a bachelor’s degree in another discipline).
Please note: that Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Education Assistant programs are not eligible for this scholarship. Students enrolled in these programs or other programs that do not fit the above criteria may apply under the multi disciplinary Chief Joe Mathias BC Aboriginal Scholarship Application, which is broader in scope and available for application in spring 2027.
APPLICATIONS
Applications will be reviewed at a special meeting of the Board of Directors held for the purpose of awarding scholarships. All scholarship applications must conform to the requirements outlined in the following application form.
2026 BC First Nations Teacher Scholarship Application
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
The Chief Joe Mathias British Columbia Aboriginal Scholarship Fund (the “Fund”) is a nationally registered charity established in memory of the late Chief Joe Mathias to support his vision of post-secondary education for all First Nations people. The Fund is an incorporated society under the BC Societies Act.
The purpose of the Fund is to advance education by providing scholarships to deserving British Columbia First Nations students who demonstrate merit and financial need. Through this support, the Fund aims to improve access to post-secondary education so that First Nations students in British Columbia can acquire the knowledge and skills needed to participate in a changing economy and society.
Established with the financial assistance of the Ministry of Education and Child Care, and our donors, the goal of the BC First Nations Teacher Scholarship Program is to provide scholarships for First Nation students enrolled in teacher education programs offered by public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia, that lead to a Certificate of Qualification to teach in K–12 schools.
The Fall 2026 application process is a one time special intake that is occurring in addition to the spring 2026 teachers scholarship application process. Students who received funding in August 2026 are not eligible to apply for this intake.
All eligible applicants will be considered for scholarships of up to $5,000 annually.
ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS
The Fund will grant scholarships only to individuals who:
Are recognized members or citizens of a British Columbia First Nation;
Have been accepted into, or are currently enrolled in, a teacher education program at one of the following public post-secondary institutions as either a full-time or part-time student:
Simon Fraser University
Thompson Rivers University
University of British Columbia
University of Northern British Columbia
University of the Fraser Valley
University of Victoria
Vancouver Island University
Are in teacher education programs leading to a Certificate of Qualification offered by the above institutions are eligible, including:(a) Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree; or(b) post-degree professional or post-baccalaureate teacher education programs (where a student has already completed a bachelor’s degree in another discipline).
Please note: that Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Education Assistant programs are not eligible for this scholarship. Students enrolled in these programs or other programs that do not fit the above criteria may apply under the multi disciplinary Chief Joe Mathias BC Aboriginal Scholarship Application, which is broader in scope and available for application in spring 2027.
APPLICATIONS
Applications will be reviewed at a special meeting of the Board of Directors held for the purpose of awarding scholarships. All scholarship applications must conform to the requirements outlined in the following application form.