The Bank of Nova Scotia is hoping a giant cheque will make a big difference for aboriginal students entering university.
Thursday morning, it presented a $150,000 cheque to the First Nations University (FNUniv) to establish the Scotiabank aboriginal entrance award. Aboriginal students with good marks and demonstrated community involvement are eligible to apply.
Five $1,200 scholarships will be awarded each year beginning next fall.
Scotiabank vice president, Karen Birss, said she sees the scholarships as an investment in the future.
“The scholarships are an investment in better communities and we really strategically pick our places where we like to invest and this has been something we have been working on for the last two years and it has finally come to fruition,” she said.
Kecia Cook is just completing her four-year degree in Indigenous social work. She was lucky enough to receive a scholarship when she entered university a few years ago, and says it made a big difference.
Cook says university is a great choice for young people who are willing to push themselves.
Her message to those youths is to “step outside of the box, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and always ask for help – that’s how I got here.”
Aboriginal students entering the FNUniv or the University of Regina can apply for the Scotiabank aboriginal entrance award.