Bursary application opens June 16, 2025.
Deadline for application submission is Midnight (EST), September 15, 2025.
Please visit the RNFBC Bursaries page to review available bursaries for which you may be eligible.
All applicants will be requested to provide documents to confirm:
- Current status: enrolled, recently accepted, or completed studies in 2025
- Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency
- BC Residency
Before beginning your application, review the How to Apply and FAQ sections below to prepare the correct documents.
Application:
There are two categories of Bursaries
- General Bursaries:
Based on level of study – certificate, diploma, undergraduate, graduate - Specific Bursaries:
Based on level of study AND criteria set out by the donor
Standard RNFBC Bursaries are $1500, with some exceptions for certificate and specialized bursaries.
Applicants may re-apply each year they are enrolled in nursing studies, even if they have applied/been a recipient in previous years.
Selection Process:
RNFBC Bursaries are drawn at random from eligible applicants, and recipients are notified via the email provided in the application. Applicants cannot receive more than one bursary in one year, although they are encouraged to apply for all bursaries for which they meet the criteria.
The application form can be started and will remain open to edits (use the Save and Continue feature) until the submission deadline.
Once submitted, your application form cannot be edited.
Step 1
Register for a user account. Applicants from last year can access the Applicant Dashboard directly by using their email address as the username.
APPLICANT REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE AS OF JUNE 16, 2025
REGISTER HEREStep 2
You will also receive an email from RNFBC containing the activation link. You must click on the link in the email to finish the user account creation process. After activation, you may return to this page and click on the Applicant Dashboard in Step 3.
Contact us if you run into difficulties.
Step 3
Log in to the applicant dashboard.
APPLICANT DASHBOARD
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Completed applications must be received BEFORE midnight, Monday, September 15, 2025.
After you SUBMIT your application, it will no longer be available for edits.
You may apply for all bursaries for which you are eligible. However, please note that applicants cannot receive more than one bursary.
General Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be residents of British Columbia.
- Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- Include any specific documentation that proves eligibility based on the requirements listed.
- Provide documentation that confirms continuing enrollment or graduation in the current calendar year. Applicants selected to receive bursaries will be notified by email and will then be required to provide proof of current enrolment (i.e. in the Fall term) or graduation within the calendar year.
Nursing Definition
For the purposes of the bursary application process, “nurse” is defined as:
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
- Nurse Practitioners (NP)
- Registered Nurses (RN)
- Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN)
RNFBC Bursary Supported Education Programs
Nursing Education Studies
Nursing Education Studies or re-entry program to practice nursing in BC (LPN, RPN, RN). The list of nursing education programs recognized by BCCNM is available on their website under Study to be a Nurse.
Graduate Studies
Graduate studies specific to nursing, or that advance professional nursing practice. Examples include:
- Masters in Nursing
- Nurse Practitioner
- Masters in Education, Health Leadership, Public Health, Research or other related healthcare field
- Doctorate in Nursing
Accredited Certificate Studies
Accredited certificate studies that are NOT employer-funded and advance professional nursing practice. Examples include:
- Informatics
- Wound Ostomy Continence
- Foot Care
- Public Health
- Health Care Leadership
- Forensics
- Education
- Research
- Nursing area of specialty offered through CNA or approved by BCCNM
Bursary applicants will select from 3 cost options, and be requested to upload a receipt: - Certificates $501-$1000 will be eligible for a $500 bursary
- Certificates $1001 – $1500 will be eligible for a $1000 bursary
- Certificates $1501 and up will be eligible for a $1500 bursary
Certificates under $500 are not eligible for a bursary.
Please note: Professional development education (graduate or certificate) may not be supported unless it advances professional nursing practice. Programs and courses not described above will be reviewed by the RNFBC Bursary Committee for eligibility. Thank you.
Yes. You can apply for all the bursaries for which you are eligible. Please note each applicant is awarded a maximum of one bursary.
Selected recipients will be notified via email, using the email provided in the application for. We regret that due to the volume of applicants, only selected recipients will be notified. We encourage all applicants to continue to apply for bursaries each year that they are enrolled in nursing studies. Thank-you!
Applicants at the diploma and undergraduate level are not eligible for a bursary if studying outside BC. However, the distance learning via Athabasca is eligible. Graduate applicants are eligible for a bursary if studying outside BC. All applicants must provide proof of BC residency and either Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.
You must provide proof of BC residency in order to be eligible for an RNFBC bursary.
Accepted proof of residency includes:
- Valid BC driver’s license
- BC Services card
- Utilities bill with address and your name dated within the last 3 months
We are unable to accept:
- Passports
- Permanent Residency
- Birth Certificates
You must provide proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residence in order to be eligible for an RNFBC bursary.
Accepted proof of residency includes:
Canadian birth certificate, permanent resident card, or photo page of your Canadian passport.
o Recently accepted: copy of acceptance letter (must include date, your name, and school)
o Currently enrolled: copy of course list for current term (must include date, your name, and school)
o Completed: copy of certificate of completion/graduation (must be dated in 2025, with your name and school)
Acceptable documents include photocopy of the graduate’s diploma and/or letter of explanation including relationship to graduate.
You are required to provide your Social Insurance Number if you are selected to receive a bursary in order to issue a T4A tax form. This personal data is kept confidential and secure.
Bursaries are for the current calendar year. If you completed your studies in the current calendar year, proof of course completion must be submitted.
You will both see a message on your screen confirming successful submission and receive an email. If you do not receive an email within 2 days there may be a problem with the email address provided.
If you have submitted your application but not received confirmation, please email administrator@rnfbc.ca
Eligible applicants are drawn at random, and each has an equal chance of receiving an award.
NOTE: RNFBC Bursaries are not awarded based on the severity of financial need. It is our understanding that any applicant undertaking studies has a degree of financial need.
You will be notified by email if you are selected to receive a bursary, at which time you will be required to:
- Sign an agreement
- Agree to notify RNFBC if your mailing address changes before the bursary has been issued
- Provide proof of course studies – current year enrollment / course list (studies must be within 2025)
- Students: copy of registered course list for current term
- Certificate programs: current registration or certificate of completion (if completed within the calendar year)
- Provide your current mailing address
- Provide your social insurance number (in order to issue a T4A tax form)
- Submit a letter of thanks to the bursary donor