Each year, the Surrey Teachers’ Association awards scholarships, bursaries and the Jennifer Wadge Memorial Social Justice Award.

The Surrey Teachers’ Association Awards Committee is elected each year at the June STARA meeting. The committee is comprised of six elected members-at-large and the STA Second Vice-President, who serves as chair of the committee.

We encourage applicants to apply for all awards for which they feel they meet the criteria, although an individual is only eligible to receive one of the awards.

Awards Process

Application Submissions

Applicants are responsible for submitting all required documentation with their awards application and ensuring all documents are received by the applicable deadline date.

Awards Committee

The committee will meet early in September and in the spring to select award recipients. For more information about the committee, please visit the Awards Committee page.

Award Recipients

All applicants are notified of decisions in writing. Awards are given in October and June. To view past recipients, please visit the Award Recipients page.

Scholarships & Bursaries

Scholarships will be awarded based on academic performance and school and community involvement. Bursaries will be awarded based on financial need and school and community involvement. All applicants must provide proof of acceptance to a post-secondary institution in the form of a confirmation of Acceptance to an approved program, a List of Enrolled Classes or proof of payment of tuition, all on Institutional Letterhead.

Scholarships for Children of STA Members

  • Applicants must be graduating children of STA members active during the applicants graduating school year.
  • Complete the Surrey Teachers’ Association Awards Application (application form for children of STA Members) by September 15, 2023.
  • Six awards of $2,000 each are awarded in October 2023

Bursaries for Children of STA Members

  • Applicants must be graduating children of STA members active during the applicants graduating school year.
  • Complete the Surrey Teachers’ Association Awards Application (application form for children of STA Members) by September 15, 2023.
  • Six awards of $2,000 each are awarded in October 2023

Bursaries for Indigenous Students

  • Open to any current Grade 12 student or recent graduate (within the last 24 months) of a Surrey public secondary school during the 2023/2024 school year who identifies as an Indigenous Student.
  • Complete the Surrey Teachers’ Association Indigenous Student Awards (application form for Surrey Students) by May 13, 2024.
  • Two awards of $2,000 each are awarded in June 2024

Jennifer Wadge Memorial Social Justice Award

Jennifer Wadge was the President of the Surrey Teachers’ Association from 2012 until her untimely death in 2015. She was a graduate of Surrey public schools and taught at a number of elementary schools in Surrey. She was a dedicated and passionate supporter of teachers and students, she championed social activism, and she believed whole-heartedly in the importance of an adequately funded public education system. She was known for her clear thinking, her articulate incisive views, her composed demeanour, and her passion for the issues. Jennifer was deeply committed to the principles of social justice, seeing them as a cornerstone of our work in an equitable society.

The Jennifer Wadge Memorial Social Justice Award was created to commemorate our former president, Jennifer Wadge, and honour her commitment to the social justice values of our union. There are six awards of $2,000 each (two for graduating children of STA members and four for students graduating from Surrey schools).  These awards will be conferred on the the applicant’s involvement in social justice work in the school based on community, and their written statement of commitment to social justice issues.

Jennifer Wadge Memorial Social Justice Surrey Student Awards