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) sets aside $15,000 in funding for professional development opportunities. SIF offers financial support to initiatives that enhance students’ experience and further their professional development. Students must be enrolled full- or part-time and can only be approved for one initiative, once per academic year, for up to $500 (please note that SIF reimburses the student 75% of their total cost, up to $500).

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Funding is only available for the registration costs (we do not cover travel, hotel, etc.).
  • Funding is only available for initiatives that are directly related to your field of study/current program at BCIT.
  • Funding is available for initiatives that focus on professional development.

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

  1. Webinars (check industry associations for online options of workshops they typically offer in-person)
  2. Conferences
  3. Online Conferences
  4. Leadership Training & Industry Best Practices (e.g. Online Subscriptions like MasterClass, Udemy, Coursera, Skillshare, etc.)
  5. Virtual Networking (e.g. LinkedIn Premium)
  6. Opportunities also pertain to communication skills, time management, effective teamwork, etc.

Funding is not available for the following requests:

  1. Professional Membership Fees
  2. Competitions
  3. Clubs, Associations, and Accreditations
  4. Courses for Credit
  5. Co-ops or Internships
  6. First Aid and CPR
  7. Personal Development Initiatives
  8. Initiatives unrelated to the applicant’s field of study
  9. Courses offered by BCIT or any other post-secondary institutions

Deadline to Apply:

If your application is approved, BCITSA reserves the right to ask you to verify how you used the funds. BCITSA conducts random checks to ensure all funds are spent on the declared initiative. If you cannot provide this proof you will be asked to repay the funds.

September 29, 2023,
by 4:00 pm

November 10, 2023,
by 4:00 pm

January 12, 2024,
by 4:00 pm

March 1, 2024,
by 4:00 pm

April 12, 2024,
by 4:00 pm

May 17, 2024,
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. 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 met 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, registration fees, accommodation costs, and competition materials. As a BCIT student, you MUST be:

  • Enrolled as a part-time or full-time student
  • Attending the competition within your attending year(s)

Funding is NOT available for:

  • Costs incurred for hosting a competition
  • 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, 2023,
by 4:00 pm

November 10, 2023,
by 4:00 pm

January 12, 2024,
by 4:00 pm

March 1, 2024,
by 4:00 pm

April 12, 2024,
by 4:00 pm

May 17, 2024,
by 4:00 pm

Apply here

BCITSA Awards

SA Champion Award

The mission of the Student Association of BCIT is to be an advocate for students and provide student-centred, responsive, and proactive services that support and enhance the quality of student life.

The SA Champion award recognizes BCIT students who have made a strong contribution to promoting the services and membership benefits of the Student Association to BCIT students. At the end of each academic year, five (5) students from across BCIT campuses will be awarded $500 including one recipient from each of BCIT’s five campuses: Aerospace Campus (ATC), Annacis Island Campus (AIC), BCIT Marine Campus (BMC), Burnaby Campus (BBY), and Downtown Campus (DTC).

The BCITSA Champion award recognizes BCIT students who have made a strong contribution to the mission of the SA and is designed to encourage leadership amongst students.

The Set Rep program is a great way to get involved with your program and is also a great way to work towards the SA Champion Award.

Application Deadline

April 22, 2024, by 4:00 pm

Laurie Jack Award

Laurie Jack was a BCIT student and the President of the BCITSA from 1971 – 1972. He tragically died in an airplane crash in 1975. His parents and the BCITSA have together sponsored two (2) annual awards of $500 in his honour. These awards are given to two (2) students in their graduating year who have contributed to life at BCIT, and who have been nominated by another BCIT community member (staff, faculty, or student).

Application Deadline

April 22, 2024, by 4:00 pm

Distinguished Representative Award

Classroom representatives are eligible to apply for the Distinguished Representative Award. The award will be given to a deserving representative that has gone above and beyond their duties. Each school will give out one award of $500 per year to selected representatives.

Application Deadline

April 22, 2024, by 4:00 pm

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.