The application period for CMHA BC scholarships and bursaries has closed as of July 15, 2024, at 5:00 pm. Thank you for your applications.
Since 1982, CMHA BC has been helping people with mental illness further their pursuit of post-secondary education through our scholarship and bursary programs. We are committed to lowering access barriers and would like to ensure that these scholarships and bursaries are available to anyone in British Columbia with lived experience who is pursuing higher education. Learn more about our values.
Several awards are available each year to BC post-secondary students who live with mental illness or addiction. Applicants may only apply for one of the awards listed below in a given year. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Below you will find the weighting frameworks for each award to ensure transparency as to how reviewers will mark applications.
1. Lorne Fraser Scholarship for Mental Health Promotion
Scholarships worth $1000 and $2000 are available to six BC post-secondary students entering the second, third, or fourth year of an undergraduate program, or any stage of a graduate program, whose education and career goals are related to mental health promotion.
2. Lorne Fraser Educational Bursary
Sixteen $700 bursaries are available to students for the tuition costs of a post-secondary education at an accredited BC institution.
3. Mental Health Fine Arts Bursary (FAB) Award
Three $1,000 bursaries for BC post-secondary students over the age of 18 with lived experience, who are pursuing fine arts and have accessed therapeutic support/mental health services.
4. Janice Lee Blue Wave Youth Bursary
Three $700 bursaries are available for BC post-secondary students under the age of 20 who have experienced a significant mental health or substance use challenge.
5. Andre Courtemanche Green Ribbon Scholarship
One $1000 scholarship is available to first or second year BC students who have lived or living experience with mental health challenges, who are enrolled in either post-secondary trades programs (ex. carpentry, cooking, welding) or post-secondary programs relating to fitness, nutrition and the outdoors (ex. sport management, natural sciences).
Please note: Submissions received by mail or fax will be disqualified. Individuals who submit more than one application for the same year will be evaluated on the application submitted first only. An applicant may win a bursary or scholarship more than once, but will not be eligible to win an award two years in a row.
Through the Lorne Fraser Educational Fund, we’ve helped more than 200 British Columbians pursue their educational dreams.
“I cannot begin to thank Lorne Fraser and CMHA BC for selecting me as one of the Lorne Fraser award recipients. I was planning to take a hiatus from studies because I could not afford the tuition for fall and was very saddened by the situation. I cannot begin to find adequate words to elucidate the relief I felt after receiving your email and realizing I can indeed continue with my studies and portfolio … I am so happy you are supporting me on my journey to contribute to society on many levels.” – Bursary Recipient
With your help we can offer even more scholarships and bursaries each year. Please donate.
If you have any questions, please email mahboubeh.asgari@cmha.bc.ca.
Learn more:
- A Tribute to Lorne Fraser – Visionary and Difference Maker
- Read inspirational letters from Janice Lee Blue Wave Youth Bursary applicants
- Learn more about Andre Courtmanche’s life and legacy
