NVIT Hands Out Immediate Entry Bursary to All 2018 SD58 Graduates

NICOLA VALLEY – For the first time, the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology has announced it will offer all Grade 12 graduates from School District 58 an Immediate Entry Secondary School Transition Bursary in the amount of a maximum $2,525.00 of tuition for one-year of study. This Bursary will be awarded to those learners who are admitted and registered into 1st year studies on or before July 31, 2018.

In President Ken Tourand’s words, “Results of the 2012 BC Census Socio Economic Indices rates the Nicola-Similkameen School District region at 12 out of 57 (ranked from worst-off to best-off regions). Our local area has one of the lowest grade 12 graduate immediate entry to post-secondary transition rates in the Province – almost 17% lower than the Provincial norm. We know cost and fears of failure and the unknown are often determining factors related to entering post-secondary studies. Further evidence suggests that those who attend a post-secondary institute or college within their local school district region have 17% higher retention rates than those that realocate to start their post-secondary journey. NVIT saw an opportunity to reduce the barriers to access post-secondary, possibly increase the grade 12 graduate transition rates in our local district – and ideally, over time, these post-secondary graduates will return to the Nicola-Similkameen and positively impact the quality of life for this Region.”

As a Provincial Institute situated in BC’s southern interior, it appears there exists much opportunity for NVIT to respond to the provincial and local immediate entry grade 12 graduate learner transition rates. NVIT is the local post-secondary provider for SD58. Evidence suggests that post-secondary learner retention is higher when learners attend a local post-secondary institute. By releasing this bursary in response, NVIT continues to strive to provide opportunities to share Indigenous knowledge with youth from all ethnicities.

Criteria for the Immediate Entry Bursary are below:

• Must be a grade 12 graduate from SD 58 and a direct entry from high school;
• Must apply, be accepted and registered at NVIT by July 31st;
• Must take a minimum 60% course load each semester (2018 Fall and 2019 Spring)
• Bursary is non-transferable (Can’t transfer to anyone else)
• Bursary is non deferrable – program of study must start before March 31, 2019
• Bursary is for tuition only – no books, supplies or student fees
• Bursary is for first year college level and higher course work only
• $2,525 maximum for the year. If they do not use the whole amount because they only take a 60% course load they cannot carry the left over funds to the next year.

“NVIT was founded in the Nicola Valley by our 5 local bands and NVIT is the post-secondary provider for School District 58,” says Tourand. “NVIT is excited to welcome all of our local grads to come and study at NVIT. With the expansion of programs and the opening of our new building which includes a brand new gymnasium and fitness Centre, students will experience the NVIT difference while realizing significant savings. The Bursary covers first year tuition, but the real cost of post-secondary is living away from home. All of our courses are fully transferable, so Grads can start HERE and go anywhere!”