Mary Thomas Memorial ECE Scholarship

Applications for 2012 Scholarship are now being accepted.

IN MEMORY OF ELDER MARY THOMAS

Elder Mary Thomas was a highly respected Neskonlith Elder of the Secwepmec (Shuswap) Nation in the Southern Interior of British Columbia.  She was an environmentalist and educator who, over her lifetime, educated young and old about the need for conservation, preservation and environmental awareness and the relevance of the traditional ways in preserving the health of the land and its people. 

She was also a pioneer in early childhood development, who championed the importance of the early years and improved the lives of young children. 

In 2004, the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development awarded its Medal for Exceptional Contributions to Elder Mary Thomas, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field of early childhood development. 

The recipient of two honourary degrees (including an honourary doctorate from the University of Victoria in 2000), Elder Mary Thomas used her skills, knowledge and experience to ensure a healthy future for all Aboriginal children.  She was a strong and passionate supporter of the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, and we have named our ECE scholarship in honour of her and her lifetime of commitment to the health and well-being of Aboriginal children.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE
The Mary Thomas Memorial ECE Scholarship is presented and administered by the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (ACCS), and was established using initial endowment funds from the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

The goal of this scholarship is to recognize and reward two Aboriginal ECE students each year for the highest academic achievement in a Basic Early Childhood Education program and in a Post-Basic Early Childhood Education program at an approved educational institution and ECE program within British Columbia.  Each year, ACCS will offer one scholarship in the amount of $1500 for eligible Post-Basic ECE students, and one scholarship in the amount of $1000 for eligible Basic ECE students.

To be eligible for the 2012 scholarship cycle, you must be completing and receiving your Certificate or Diploma between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.

APPLICATION FORMS & INFORMATION SHEET

Download the information sheet:

2012 Scholarship Information sheet   PDF version

Download the application form:

• 2012 Scholarship Application Form  PDF version
• 2012 Scholarship Application Form  Word version

Please call us at 604.913.9128 to request the above forms by mail or fax.

Submit your Application:

E-mail: lynn@acc-society.bc.ca

Fax: 604.913.9129
Attention:  Lynn McBride, Scholarship Administrator

Mail: BC Aboriginal Child Care Society – Mary Thomas Memorial ECE Scholarship
708 – 100 Park Royal South
West Vancouver, BC   V7T 1A2

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
You must meet ALL of these eligibility criteria in order to qualify for a scholarship:

1. Be enrolled in or just graduated from an approved educational institution and Early Childhood Education (ECE) program -- either Basic ECE or Post-Basic ECE Certificate or Diploma - which you have completed or will complete during the 2011/2012 academic year (on or before June 30, 2012).
   
   For a detailed list of approved institutions and ECE programs, go to this link: 
   http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/ece/pdfs/training_institutes.pdf
   
   BC Ministry information about Early Childhood Education: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/ece/training.htm
   
2. Be of Aboriginal ancestry: First Nation (Status, Treaty, or Non-Status Indian), Métis, or Inuit.
3. Be a Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant, and also provide proof of BC residency (permanently living in British Columbia for six months or more at the time of application).
4. Provide an official copy of your student transcript or record of grades, which establishes that you have successfully completed a Basic ECE Certificate or Diploma program or a Post-Basic ECE Certificate or Diploma program (successful completion requires a minimum 2.0 grade point average or C grade equivalent in all required courses for completion of your ECE program).
5. An official copy of your student transcript or record of grades must be received by ACCS by July 31, 2012

You are not eligible if:

1. You do not provide all required documentation with your application.
2. Your application and all required documentation are not recieved by ACCS on or before July 31, 2012.

If you will be completing and receiving your Basic ECE or your Post-Basic ECE Certificate or Diploma after June 30, 2012 (including all required practicum courses) then you should apply for this scholarship in the future, during the academic year in which you complete and receive your ECE Certificate or Diploma.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. The $1000 Basic ECE Scholarship will be awarded to the eligible applicant with the highest overall academic standing of all the eligible applicants.
2. The $1500 Post-Basic ECE Scholarship will be awarded to the eligible applicant with the highest overall academic standing of all the eligible applicants.
3. These scholarships are available for full time and part time ECE students who are completing or have just completed either a Basic ECE Certificate or Diploma or a Post-Basic ECE Certificate or Diploma at an educational institution with an approved ECE program.
4. Scholarship winners will be announced by ACCS on September 30, 2012.  The winners will be contacted by phone or e-mail, and ACCS will also announce the winners on our website, in our e-newsletter and our newsletter, and at our Annual Provincial Training Conference in November 2012.
5. A portion of the scholarship amount must be declared as income; ACCS will issue T4A slips to scholarship recipients for the 2012 taxation year on or before February 28, 2013.
6. Submit only one application form per person.

If you have any questions and/or require any more information, please contact our Scholarship Administrator:

Lynn McBride
BC Aboriginal Child Care Society
708 – 100 Park Royal South, West Vancouver, BC   V7T 1A2
Phone: 604.913.9128, local 225  Fax: 604.913.9129
E-mail: lynn@acc-society.bc.ca

The guidelines for this program are subject to change without notice

The Mary Thomas Memorial ECE Scholarship
is presented by the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society
thanks to the support of the Ministry of Children and Family Development