Student Initiative Fund

Receive up to $500 for your choice of professional development opportunity.

Learn More!

Student Competition Fund

Receive funding to represent BCIT at competitions.

Learn More!

Annual Achievement Awards

Receive a prestigious financial reward for your contribution to student life at BCIT.

Learn More!

BCITSA Funds

Student Initiative Fund

Every year, the BCITSA Student Initiative Fund (SIF) allocates funding for students to access professional development opportunities. Students can access funding for initiatives that align with their field of study and further their professional development. You must be currently enrolled as a student (full-time or part-time) and can access funding for one initiative, once per academic year. Funding is provided as reimbursement, and SIF will cover 75% of the total cost, up to a maximum of $500.

Requirements:

  • You must be enrolled as a BCIT student in the current academic term (full-time or part-time).
  • Funding can only be used for registration costs (not for travel, hotels, etc.).
  • Funding is only available for initiatives that relate to your field of study at BCIT and support your professional development.

Examples of professional development initiatives include, but are not limited to:

  1. Industry conferences, webinars, and events (in person and virtual)
  2. Professional networking events
  3. Industry-related training and learning resources (e.g., non-credit courses from online learning platforms, or or access to other platforms for practice with coding or other relevant topics)
  4. Initiatives pertaining to communication skills, time management, studying tools, effective teamwork, leadership, etc.

Funding is not available for the following requests:

  1. Competitions, co-ops, or internships
  2. LinkedIn subscriptions
  3. Professional memberships, associations, or club fees
  4. Certifications or accreditations (course/exam fees), including First Aid
  5. Personal development initiatives (hobbies) or anything unrelated to your field of study
  6. Textbooks or course materials
  7. Courses for credit; courses offered by BCIT or other post-secondary institutions (credit or non-credit)

These examples are not exhaustive. All decisions are made at the discretion of the committee.

Application and Approval Process

  1. Submit your application (including your signed FOI form) by 4 PM on the deadline for your chosen intake.
    *If you submit your application late, it will be processed in the following intake.
  2. All applications are reviewed by a committee, which meets the week after the application deadline.
  3. If your request meets the criteria, the committee will approve it, and you will be notified by email. (If your application is not approved, you will also be notified by email, and you may re-apply if you choose.) You will receive these emails 10-12 days after the application deadline.
  4. Once you receive notice that your initiative has been approved, you will be prompted to submit documents to us, including your T4A (tax document), bank details/void cheque for direct deposit, and receipt showing your proof of payment. You will have two weeks to submit these documents.
  5. At the end of this two-week window, we will begin to process your documents and you will be reimbursed via direct deposit. This reimbursement will be for 75% of the total amount shown on your receipt, up to a maximum of $500.
    * Please note that if you are late submitting your documents, your payment will not be processed until the following SIF intake, which means your reimbursement will be delayed by 2+ months.
  6. If you are late submitting your documents by 8 weeks or more, we will consider your application to be expired and we will be unable to issue payment.

Deadline to Apply:

September 29, 2025,
by 4:00 pm

November 17, 2025,
by 4:00 pm

January 19, 2026,
by 4:00 pm

March 2, 2026,
by 4:00 pm

April 13, 2026,
by 4:00 pm

May 18, 2026,
by 4:00 pm

Apply here

BCIT Student Competition Fund

The BCIT Student Association (BCITSA) allocates funds on behalf of BCIT to support student clubs with their participation in competitions. The maximum funding request is $5,000, or 75% of the competition costs (whichever is less). A maximum of 20 students can be funded per club, and a maximum of $250 can be funded per participating student. Funding is available for student clubs that aren’t from the School of Business.* BCIT provides the funding, and a committee allocates it. Decisions are made based on the availability of funds, and if the clubs meet the criteria. Clubs can only apply once per academic year. Please note, at this time, funding is quite limited, and all requests may not be able to be accommodated.

Eligibility Requirements

Funding is to be used for competition costs such as travel expenses and accommodation costs. As a BCIT student, you MUST be:

  • Enrolled as a part-time or full-time student
  • Attending the competition within your attending year(s)
  • Maximum $250 per participating student
  • Maximum 20 students funded per clubFunds are only to assist in the costs of the flights and hotels and only up to 50% of those cost. The registration fees, materials, supplies, and meals are the direct responsibilities of the participating Clubs and student members.

Funding is NOT available for:

  • Registration fees
  • Costs incurred for hosting a competition
  • Materials and supplies
  • Meal expenses
  • Competitions against only BCIT Students
  • School of Business Students and/or competitions*

*Funding is available for School of Business students/clubs through their school directly. Contact your Program Head or Associate Dean for more information.

Deadline to Apply:

September 29, 2025,
by 4:00 pm

November 17, 2025,
by 4:00 pm

January 19, 2026,
by 4:00 pm

March 2, 2026,
by 4:00 pm

April 13, 2026,
by 4:00 pm

May 18, 2026,
by 4:00 pm

Apply here

BCITSA Annual Achievement Awards

BCITSA Volunteer Award

The BCITSA Volunteer Award celebrates students who have shown exceptional dedication by volunteering their time and energy to support Student Association services, events, and initiatives. Through their efforts, these students help build a vibrant, inclusive, and engaged campus community Each academic year, two students will be awarded $500 in recognition of their contributions.

Application Deadline

April 20, 2026, by 4:00 pm

Application Process - read first
Application Form

Laurie Jack Award

Laurie Jack was a BCIT student and the President of the BCITSA from 1971–1972. He tragically died in a plane crash in 1975. His parents and the BCITSA together sponsor two annual awards of $500 in his honour. These awards are given to two students in their graduating year who have made outstanding contributions to BCIT, creating a lasting, positive impact on student life.

Application Deadline

April 20, 2026, by 4:00 pm

Application Process - read first
Application Form

Distinguished Set Rep Award

Set Reps are eligible to apply for the Distinguished Set Rep Award. This award recognizes Set Reps who have gone above and beyond in supporting their peers and who consistently take initiative to foster the growth and success of their set. Seven $500 awards will be distributed to outstanding Set Reps—one from each BCIT School, one from the Downtown campus, and one from the specialty campuses.

Application Deadline

April 20, 2026, by 4:00 pm

Application Process - read first
Application Form

Distinguished International Student Award

The Distinguished International Student Award recognizes international students who have made a meaningful contribution to enhancing student life for their fellow international students. The award aims to encourage connection and mutual support among international students. At the end of each academic year, two students will be awarded $500 each for their efforts in this area.

Application Deadline

April 20, 2026, by 4:00 pm

Application Process - read first
Application Form
Awards

BCITSA, as a registered charity, can accept donations (either cash or gifts-in-kind) from individuals and/or companies. We are always looking for prizing and giveaways at our events. Additionally, the BCITSA works on several initiatives each year that help us invest in our students.

BCITSA Donations Policy governs the solicitation, acceptance and stewardship of all donations to BCITSA and BCITSA Student Clubs. Its purpose is to ensure that all facets of BCITSA remain compliant with the Income Tax Act and Revenue Canada-established practices and standards.