Fundraising Priorities
The University of Winnipeg Foundation continues to focus its development efforts on University priorities. These efforts are coordinated through the Foundation’s Lead Giving, Individual Giving, Planned Giving, Collegiate Engagement and Donor Stewardship programs.
Student Awards: The Opportunity Fund
Located downtown on Treaty One land, in the heart of the Métis homeland, we represent the diverse demographics of our province: 13 per cent of incoming students identify as Indigenous and almost one-third of the student body identifies as from a racialized community. UWinnipeg has created numerous supports to remove barriers for non-traditional students such as an expanded campus daycare, contemporary affordable housing including family apartments, and targeted financial assistance.
Our goal is to remain an accessible and welcoming place where all students belong and thrive. The Opportunity Fund was established in 2007 and is designed to assist students who are traditionally under-represented in higher education. Recipients must demonstrate financial need and come from one (or more) of the following groups: Indigenous students, recent immigrants, students with refugee backgrounds, students who are first in their family to attend post-secondary, and/or mature students.
Youth-In-Care Tuition Waver Program
In 2012, The University of Winnipeg launched a trial program unique in Canada which has since been emulated by a number of other post-secondary institutions across the country. There are more than 9,500 children and youth in foster care in Manitoba. The majority are First Nation and Métis, and it is estimated that in the past, less than 5% were able to pursue post-secondary education. The Opportunity Fund Tuition Waiver program provides new pathways to education for these students. UWinnipeg waives tuition fees and the Province of Manitoba child welfare authorities cover living expenses for current or former wards, including housing, textbooks and meal plans. Tuition waivers are renewable for an additional five years as long as the student maintains a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average. These youth also receive support from a designated advisor.
Work-Integrated Learning
UWinnipeg knows that work-integrated learning builds workforce capabilities, as well as the skills and individual prospects of students as members of the community and Canada’s labour force.
In an interconnected global economy, a diverse, well-educated, and highly skilled workforce is critical not only to innovation, productivity, and economic growth but also to maximizing human potential. Work-integrated learning is strongly endorsed by universities as well as employers and community partners as an important component of the overall student experience. Many UWinnipeg students take part in co-op programs, internships, field placements, or some other form of experiential learning or “work-integrated learning”. Our goal is to expand students’ access to experiential opportunities by offering new programs within a variety of departments.
The Collegiate at the University of Winnipeg
The Collegiate tradition is one of academic excellence and accessibility, in an environment of critical thinking and community spirit. Continuing in its worthy traditions, The Collegiate at The University of Winnipeg is committed to offering Grade 9, 10, 11, and 12 students high school programs that provide a transition to post-secondary education. The Collegiate philosophy emphasizes the need for students to become mature individuals within an atmosphere of self-generated discipline, where students can discover freedom and its complement, responsibility.
See the Collegiate Campus Campaign webpage!
The Collegiate Priorities
Dean’s Continuing Scholarship Fund
Many students begin their journey at the Collegiate supported by its strong entrance scholarship program and the Dean’s Bursary Fund. With many students’ first-year expenses covered, our newest priority is to expand the student award program to better aid students in their second, third, and fourth years of study. To this end, the Collegiate has established the Dean’s Continuing Scholarship Fund in honour of all Collegiate Dean’s who provided a fundamental, educational experience for each Collegiate student. With donor support, these scholarships will recognize the academic achievements of the Collegiate’s existing student body and will encourage students to continue their hard work throughout their academic careers.
Millennium Entrance Scholarships
These are awarded to students with averages over 90% who did not receive the regular Entrance Scholarship. This scholarship ensures the best and brightest are not only able to attend The Collegiate, but can enter with pride knowing their hard work has been recognized.
The Model School
The Model School at The University of Winnipeg Collegiate provides students with the opportunity and the support needed to graduate from high school and prepare for post-secondary education. The students enrolled in the program are from backgrounds that have traditionally been under-represented in both high school and post-secondary graduation rates. Learn more about The Model School.
For more information about The Collegiate, please contact Collegiate Engagement Officer, Elena Anciro, at e.anciro@uwinnipeg.ca or visit the Collegiate website.