YWCA Scholarships
YWCA Metro Vancouver awards scholarships to encourage and support single mothers to go back to school to upgrade their skills.
Please review the eligibility criteria and details below. If interested applicants meet all the criteria, they are invited to complete the Pre-registration form. All eligible candidates will be emailed a scholarship application.
Active participation (within six months) in one or more YWCA programs including but not limited to:
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Heron’s Nest Young Parents Services/YWCA Emma's Childcare
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YWCA Single Mothers’ Support Groups
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YWCA Crabtree Corner
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YWCA Second stage transition housing/Single Mothers Housing
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YWCA Employment Services (includes WorkBC)
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YWCA Strive
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YWCA Early Learning and Child Care
YWCA Scholarships are designed for single mothers* living on low incomes who are committed to pursuing post-secondary education to enhance their family's future.
*A single mother is defined as a person not living with an intimate partner, with dependent children under the age of 19 living with them at least 40% of the time.
The Futures Scholarship is available to single mothers in financial need with at least one child aged 12 or under.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully read through the following details and ensure they meet all the requirements prior to completing the Pre-registration form.
Exclusions: Current YWCA employees and their family members are ineligible.
Eligibility Criteria
- YWCA Participant
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Residency
- Low-income (according to the low income cut-off table)
- Live in Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley
- Applicants must currently be accepted or enrolled in a post-secondary program
- Schools must be accredited and recognized by the industry. List of Designated Educational Institutions (note: public post-secondary institutions are preferred)
- Pre-requisite training is acceptable
- Programs may be full-time or part-time
- Programs must align with strong labour market demand
- Applicant is lacking marketable skills to obtain sustainable employment
- Applicants must demonstrate how they will cover living expenses during their studies (e.g. student loans, employment income)
- Master's programs will be considered if required for licensing purposes and up to the discretion of the Scholarship Committee
- Current YWCA employees and their family members are ineligible
- The scholarship serves as secondary funding, requiring applicants to contribute financially through sources such as student loans, government grants, family support, employment or other scholarships
- The scholarship can cover tuition and fees, and books paid directly to the school
- This scholarship will not pay for any balance in arrears to a post-secondary institution
- Application intake is in the Fall and Spring each year
- Other guidelines as outlined on the YWCA Scholarship Application
A scholarship package should include the following. Please be prepared to submit the documentation listed below:
- Completed YWCA Scholarship Application
- TWO current letters of reference, one from a YWCA staff and one personal (e.g. teacher, employer, counsellor, clergy, a volunteer coordinator)
- Official proof of registration at a post-secondary institution (must include contact information for verification purposes)
- Copies of transcripts
- Current resume
- Proof of income (e.g. most recent T4 or tax assessment)
- StudentAid BC Notice of Assessment (if applicable)
Each year, several generous YWCA donors provide financial support to assist single mothers who are participating in *YWCA programs to achieve economic independence.
*YWCA programs are free and available to the public
YWCA Scholarships are offered in both the fall and spring. Deadlines are: Friday, April 10, 2026 and Friday, October 2, 2026
Anne Dobbie Bursary
Assisting women in need who wish to continue their education so that they can be financially independent.
Frankie Tillman Scholarship for Single Mothers
This scholarship honours Frankie Tillman, a long-time YWCA volunteer and activist who dedicated her life to supporting women in need. This scholarship will be awarded to women who are working to overcome significant difficulties in their lives and living up to their true potential.
Futures Scholarship for Single Mothers
Support for single mothers with low incomes involved in YWCA programs with at least one child under the age of 12. The YWCA Futures Scholarship will provide up to a maximum of $15,000 per year per applicant and you may apply for multiple years to aid your studies.
Jennifer Wade and Family Scholarship
Jennifer Wade provides scholarships at various educational institutions across Canada.
Kamal Basra, Sophia Financial Group Scholarship
Assisting women in need who want to continue their education so they can become financially independent and develop their own personal leadership.
Kathy Johns Memorial Scholarship for Young Single Mothers
YWCA donors offer this scholarship in memory of Kathy Johns, a YWCA employee who worked with single mothers and believed in the potential of every woman.
Marnie Marley Scholarship for Single Mothers
This scholarship honours Marnie Marley a long-time employee with YWCA Metro Vancouver who retired in 2013 after 24 years supporting women to achieve economic independence.
Pamela Skinner Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship, established by her family, honours Pamela Skinner. She was a passionate, powerful, and well-loved leader in business and a dedicated and caring mother, wife and friend. This scholarship will create opportunities for single mothers who otherwise would not have the means to pursue education and training.
Sybil Verch Woman in Leadership Award
Provides financial support to assist single mothers involved in YWCA programs with at least one dependent child. This award will provide a maximum of $5,000 for an applicant who plans to pursue education that will allow her to demonstrate leadership, either in her organization, community or industry of choice. It is important to include information on how you are going to contribute to your post-secondary studies either through student loans, savings or employment income.
University Women’s Club Coquitlam
For single mothers living at YWCA Como Lake Gardens or from Coquitlam.
YWCA Single Mothers' Bursary
This scholarship was created by a group of YWCA donors in 2009 who recognize the importance of post-secondary education in achieving economic independence.
Crofton House School Scholarship program
Crofton House is committed to welcoming the girls who will embrace and thrive in the unique opportunity of an all girls’ education, regardless of financial circumstances.
Our financial assistance program bridges the gap between demonstrated financial need and the full cost of a Crofton House education. From application to graduation, we support our partner families and welcome them into the CHS community. Financial assistance is available to families with daughters entering Grade 8 and can cover up to 98% of the cost of tuition and program-related costs. It is awarded in the form of a bursary that does not need to be repaid.
To learn more and apply visit: croftonhouse.ca/FA
StudentAid BC
StudentAid BC can help eligible students with the cost of post-secondary education through student loans, grants and scholarships. It also has programs that help with loan repayment. For more information, visit StudentAid BC and seek assistance from the financial aid office at your post-secondary institution.
Dr. Jane Jae-Kyung Shin YWCA Award at Vancouver Community College
Location: Vancouver Community College
Term: Spring and Fall awards
Number of Awards: Two
Value: 2 x $1,000
Criteria: Each award is available to a current or accepted Vancouver Community College (VCC) student who is also a current or recent (past 12 months) YWCA program participant. Preference will be given to single mothers from equity deserving communities (including racialized and 2SLGBTQAI+ women).
Description: This award recognizes a truth shared by many women at YWCA: that resilience is not the absence of struggle, but the choice to keep moving despite it. For single mothers, newcomers, and women from marginalized communities- including Black, Indigenous, racialized, and 2SLGBTQAI+ women- education is more than achievement; it is agency. It is the right to build a life on one’s own terms and to rewrite the opportunities once denied. Talent and aspiration exist everywhere, but access does not, and this award is for women standing at difficult crossroads who is choosing a path forward through education for herself and her family.
Process: Email your expression of interest titled "YWCA Award" to jshin@vcc.ca with the following information by March 31 for the Spring Award, and by September 30 for the Fall Award at VCC:
- Name
- Address
- Phone
- VCC Program
- Year of Program (if not yet started, confirm admission)
- Start Date of Program (or anticipated)
- End Date of Program (or anticipated)
- YWCA Program
- Start Date of Program (or anticipated)
- End Date of Program (or anticipated)
- Short Expression of Interest (up to 250-500 words, single spaced, one page)
If you have questions, please contact Donna Patrick, YWCA Bursary Coordinator, at donnapatrick@ywcavan.org | 604 250 6229 or email scholarships@ywcavan.org.
Going back to school as a mature student with children may be scary, but please know that you are not alone. I never thought I could come this far, and I am grateful I received the opportunity to live my dream of becoming a high school educator.
With the support of the YWCA, I was able to complete a degree and find employment to support my family. The YWCA is like a family and supported a great portion of my healing journey. I’m so grateful for the groups, scholarships, and support.
In December 2020, after an extremely traumatic year, I took the leap and started a 3-year Health Information Management program. I had three young kids. At certain points, I juggled single parenting, school, and 2-3 jobs. The YWCA scholarships helped make it possible for me to complete my program.
