Interior Savings nearing $5 million in bursaries awarded

Interior Savings is nearing a major milestone with its bursary program to help students.

Since launching the Million Dollar Bursary Program nine years ago, the financial institution has awarded just over $4 million in bursaries and hopes to reach the $5 million mark by the end of this year.

Students have until the end of February to apply.

The bursary is part of the credit union’s Member Rewards Program which returns profits to members in the form of patronage rewards and bursaries.

Over the corse of the program, Interior Savings has awarded $236,000 in bursaries to students from Vernon, including 24 bursaries awarded last year.

“This is one of the ways we thank our members for their business while also investing in the future leaders of our community,” said Kathy Conway, CEO of Interior Savings “For the ninth year in a row, we’ve made a commitment to award up to $1 million in bursaries and, with our recent expansion into Prince George, we’re hopeful that this will be the year that we award the full million.”

According to the Credit Union, it takes less than 10-minutes to apply and 75 per cent of those who apply are approved.

“The challenge has been getting the word out to students that this funding is available. Unlike many other bursaries and scholarships, the application doesn’t require an essay and it’s not based on financial need or top academic achievement – it is a reward for being a member of Interior Savings and a way for the credit union to encourage ongoing education,” Conway explained.

To be eligible for the bursary, you must be between 17 and 24 years old and an active member of Interior Savings. If not already a member, students have until February 28 to join the Credit Union and set up a free student account.

So far this year, Interior Savings has received about 500 applications for the 1000 awards that are up for grabs and there is just over a month left before the February 28 application deadline.

To learn more or apply, visit www.milliondollarbursary.com