Awards and Financial Aid

The Opportunity Fund

The Opportunity Fund was created in 2007 by The University of Winnipeg to help make it possible for inner-city youth to dream big. Unique among universities in Canada, the Opportunity Fund comes as a direct result of the Access Task Force on Post-Secondary Education commissioned by President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lloyd Axworthy. The goal of the University is to build a $10 million bursary fund that will help ensure access to higher learning, bridge the graduation gap, and transform lives through education.

Fast-Track Bursary Program

The first element of The Opportunity Fund is an in-course bursary program designed to help youth and adult learners who have financial need and are from under-represented groups. The bursaries are intended to assist students with their direct education costs (tuition and books), and are based on the individual financial need of the applicant. So far 1158 bursaries have been awarded to current students at The University of Winnipeg and 238 recipients have graduated since 2007.

Eligibility: You may be eligible for this bursary program if you meet the following criteria:

• Have at least a 2.00 (C) grade point average

• Demonstrate financial need

• Belong to a population currently under-represented at The University of Winnipeg (recent immigrant or refugee, Aboriginal, adult learner, low-income family, student with disability, or first generation student).

The deadline to apply for the 2012-13 academic year was August 22, 2012. Please check back in June 2013 for more details on the 2013-14 program.

Tuition Credit Program

Tuition Credits allow you to “earn as you learn”. Students as early as Grade 4 can begin to earn their tuition by staying in school, maintaining good grades, graduating and participating in their community. By the time you earn a high school diploma, the support will be there to help cover your tuition costs at The University of Winnipeg.

Value: Tuition credits are deferred awards. Depending on your activities in Grade 4-12, you could potentially earn an award of up to $4,000 towards your post-secondary education. Here is how it works:

Grades 4 through 8:

• $150 for each school year completed

• $50 for extra-curricular activities

Grades 9 through 12:

• $500 for each school year completed

• $150 if you get a 70% average or better

• $100 for extra-curricular activities.

Eligibility: To be enrolled in this program, you must be actively involved in one of the following programs:

• The University of Winnipeg Eco-Kids

• Inner City Junior Wesmen Basketball team

• Model School at The University of Winnipeg Collegiate.

Youth-in-Care Tuition Waivers

The University of Winnipeg is committed to breaking down the barriers to university education for Youth in Care. The Youth-In-Care Tuition Waiver Program is a part of the Opportunity Fund, and it is intended to cover undergraduate tuition fees. Tuition Waivers are based on the individual financial need of the applicant and will be selected by the Awards and Financial Aid Office in partnership with the Child and Family Service Authorities. 

Eligibility: You may be eligible for this tuition waiver if you meet the following criteria:

• Have been given an offer of admission to the University for the upcoming Fall

• Over the age of 18 or turning 18 in the 2013/2014 academic year

• Demonstrate financial need.

How To Apply:  In order to be considered for this program, please contact the Authority listed below that is most appropriate to you. Each Authority will nominate candidates in their area and forward them to the University for final selection. Notification if you have been selected for the program will take place in July/August. 

General Authority
Jennifer Fallis, Program Specialist
phone: 204.984.9283
email: jennifer.fallis@gov.mb.ca

Metis Authority
Desiree Gillespie, Service Specialist
phone: 204-949-0220
email: dgillespie@metisauthority.com

Southern Authority
Jolene Cameron, Service Support Team Supervisor
phone: 204.783.9190
email: jolene.cameron@southernnetwork.org

Note: For those who are with the Northern Authority and are graduating high school this year or have graduated within the last year, please contact Kathy Rogozik at k.rogozik@uwinnipeg.ca or 204-789-1460.