Bursaries
BURRARD Charitable Foundation Bursary [#8028]
A $1,750 bursary is offered annually by the Burrard Charitable Foundation, through funds administered by the Vancouver foundation, for students with disabilities. Preference will be given to students with visual impairment. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Cheryl MCKAY Bursary for the Visually Impaired [#8089]
Bursaries totalling $1,200 have been made available through an endowment established with a bequest from Cheryl McKay. The awards are made to assist students with a visual impairment. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Isabel G. MCMILLAN Bursary [#7864]
Bursaries totaling $1,100 have been made available through an endowment established by Isabel G. McMillan, a member of the first graduating class at the University of British Columbia, are offered to one or more students with visual impairments. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
PEO Sisterhood Chapter B Bursary For the Blind [#8044]
Bursaries totalling $6,300 have been made available through an endowment established by the PEO Sisterhood Chapter B in memory of Helen Mitchell and by the Estate of Hazel Lena Wilson in memory of John Mortimer Patrick, to assist students with a visual impairment. The bursary is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Paul E. THIELE Bursary [#8313]
Bursaries totalling $1,450 have been made available through an endowment established for students with disabilities in recognition of Paul Thiele’s 32 years of service to The University of British Columbia. Paul Thiele, along with his late wife Judith, was instrumental in the establishment of the Crane Library and Resource Centre, expanding it from a collection of Braille books to an internationally recognized library and support service for persons requiring print alternatives. As UBC’s student population grew, the Crane Library and Resource Centre integrated into the Disability Resource Centre (DRC) to better support students on campus with disabilities. The DRC is now known as the Centre for Accessibility. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Marion COPP Bursary [#7980]
A bursary of $400 has been made available through an endowment established by family and friends in memory of Marion Copp who for many years resided in northern British Columbia and the Yukon. The award is made to students from rural areas and preference is given to students with a visual impairment or a physical disability. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Robert C. GIBSON Memorial Bursary [#7861]
Bursaries totaling $1,350 have been made available through an endowment established in memory of Robert C. Gibson. The awards are made to assist students with disabilities from rural areas and preference is given to students with a visual impairment or physical disability. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Lena ADAM Memorial Bursary for Students with Disabilities [#8471]
Bursaries totalling $5,400 have been made available through an endowment established with a bequest from Lena Adam for students who have a physical disability and who demonstrate financial need. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
William Donald Mills AGNEW Memorial Bursary [#8187]
Bursaries totalling $1,400 have been made available through an endowment established with a bequest from Doris Kinloch Agnew in memory of her husband William Donald Mills Agnew. The award is offered to students who are paraplegic or quadriplegic. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
GRADUATING Class of 1970 Bursary [#7595]
A $1,050 bursary, made available through an endowment established by the Graduating Class of 1970, is awarded to a student or students in any year and faculty. Special consideration will be given to those with physical disabilities. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Rick HANSEN Special Needs Bursary [#8065]
In recognition of Rick Hansen’s outstanding accomplishments, one or more bursaries totalling $1,900 are offered for students who have special needs brought about by some physical disability. Funds for these awards were raised at the celebrity concert and auction held at UBC in March, 1987, and matched by the Alma Mater Society. The award is made on the nomination of the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Douglas T. KENNY Bursary for Disabled Students [#7867]
Bursaries totalling $1,400 are awarded to provide financial aid to students with a disability. The funds have been made available through an endowment established by the Honourable Thomas A. Dohm. Q.C., LL.D., and are intended especially for those students with a physical disability who need wheelchairs or other artificial aids to carry out their studies at the University. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Steven VOLRICH Memorial Bursary [#8045]
A $3,550 bursary has been made available through an endowment established by the members of the Law Class of 1984 in memory of their classmate, Steven Volrich. His classmates wish to honour the courage and undaunted spirit displayed by Steven in his battle with cancer. The bursary is awarded to a law student who requires financial assistance with preference given to a law student with a medical or physical disability. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Nini M. Harris-Lowe Bursary for Chronic Conditions and Disability [#8683]
Bursaries totaling $1,950 have been made available through an endowment established by Mr. Rick Lowe (B.Sc. 1982) and matched by the University of British Columbia, in memory of his spouse, Mrs. Nina M. “Nini” Harris-Lowe, for students entering or pursuing any eligible degree program who cope with chronic pain, chronic conditions or illness, disabilities or any other impairment that impacts their university studies. Recommendations are made by Enrolment Services in consultation with the Centre for Accessibility.
Dr. Wilbert G. Bos Bursary in Physics [#8682]
Bursaries totalling $4,050 have been made available through an endowment established in memory of Dr. Wilbert G. Bos, and matched by The University of British Columbia, for undergraduate students in the Department of Physics who demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to students who have overcome adversity. The bursaries are adjudicated by Enrolment Services in consultation with Access and Diversity.
DELTA Kappa Gamma Society International, British Columbia Bursary [#7868]
Bursaries totalling $1000 have been made available through an endowment established by the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, British Columbia (Women Educators Society International), for visually impaired students in any program or year of study and preference will be given to students from British Columbia. The bursaries are adjudicated by Enrolment Services, in consultation with the Centre for Accessibility.
Scholarships
Patricia Ann MACDONALD Memorial Scholarship [#629]
A $1,950 scholarship may be awarded either in total or in part to a student with a visual impairment or physical disability. The recipient must be in a program leading to a degree, with definite vocational goals and a high grade average. The scholarship has been made available through an endowment established in memory of Patricia Ann Palmer Macdonald, who was born in Kaslo, attended Notre Dame University, Nelson and studied privately with several members of the UBC Music faculty, earning 3 Music Conservatory degrees. She was an accomplished musician, singer, performer and a dedicated community worker and teacher of the blind, who was blind herself at birth. She passed away in April 1982 at the age of 36. The scholarship is intended to honour a student who exhibits some of Patricia Macdonald’s qualities and talents. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Judith C. THIELE Memorial Scholarship [#677]
A $3,950 scholarship for students with a visual impairment or physical disability has been made available through an endowment established by family and friends in memory of Judith C. Thiele, B.A., B.L.S., co-founder and Reference and Collections Librarian, Crane Library and Resource Centre, UBC. Ms. Thiele was one of the very few totally blind professional librarians in North America, an educator, academic, researcher, internationally recognized expert on Braille transcription and special information technologies and community worker and activist on behalf of persons with disabilities. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities with preference given to a candidate who has been active in the area of community services.
Dennet KUAN Memorial Award [#1438]
Awards totalling $1,950 have been made available through an endowment established by Janet, Jennifer and Ryan Kuan in memory of Dennet Kuan (MBA, BSc) for undergraduate or graduate students with a physical disability in any year and faculty. The award was established as a reflection of Dennet’s dedication to assisting people with a physical disability and to helping those who wish to continue their education. Dennet was a UBC alumnus who, in 2000, set up a UBC scholarship in memory of his father, Mann Kuan. When Dennet’s son was born in 1992 with complex challenges, Dennet’s “we can” attitude shaped and supported Ryan in facing their world. After a successful career in Forestry, Dennet made a career change. In his new career, he used his direct knowledge of the obstacles faced by individuals with a physical disability to help them and their families access a variety of equipment and assistive technology needs. Dennet passed away in 2009 at the age of 53. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Harriet Sarah BYRNE Scholarship [#3512]
A scholarship of $1,100 has been made available through an endowment established in memory of Harriet Sarah Byrne. The award is intended to encourage a student with a disability or a student demonstrating an interest and ability in the problems of individuals with disabilities. Preference is given to a woman undertaking studies in the health sciences. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Elizabeth M. CRICHTON-CARVER Memorial Scholarship [#1261]
A $150 scholarship has been made available through an endowment established by the late John A. Carver in memory of his mother, Elizabeth M. Crichton-Carver, for a student in the Faculty of Arts. Preference is given to students with a disability. Financial circumstances of the candidate may be considered. The award is adjudicated by the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
TEJPAR-LADAK Award [#1478]
Awards totalling $1,800 have been made available through an endowment established through a fundraising campaign led by Ameera Ladak (B.Com. 2016) for Bachelor of Commerce students with disabilities related to neurodiversity and/or mental health. Ameera received the Lauren Wilmot Memorial Award during their time at UBC, giving them confidence and helping them to feel not just recognized but positively valued as a part of the UBC Sauder School of Business community. Ameera, who is neurodivergent, a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and open about their experiences living with mental illness during their time at UBC, is now proud to be in the position to support students who may have encountered a range of challenges on their routes through education. The awards are made on the recommendation of the Committee on Awards for Students with Disabilities.
Additional resources
- Awards: scholarships and bursaries
- Financial planning
- Dates and deadlines
- Special circumstances for students receiving awards
If you have questions
If you have questions, please contact your Enrolment Services Advisor directly.
For general questions, please call 604 822 9836 or submit a question through the online form.
If you’re a UBC Okanagan student, please contact Okanagan Student Services. For scholarship, award, and bursary inquiries, email srfs.ubco@ubc.ca.