Scholarships & Bursaries

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 four elected members-at-large and the STA Second Vice-President, who serves as chair of the committee. The committee will meet early in September and in the spring to select award recipients. The awards to STA members’ children will be presented at the STARA Meeting on October 23, 2019.

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.

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. The committee meets to award scholarships to children of members who have just graduated from any public high school in June.

Scholarships for Children of STA Members

Who is eligible: Applicants must be graduating children of STA members active during the applicants graduating school year.
Award Denominations: Six awards of $2,000 each
Deadline for application: September 18, 2020
Awarded in October
Complete the Surrey Teachers’ Association Awards Application (Application Form for children of STA Members).

Bursaries for Children of STA Members

Who is eligible: Applicants must be graduating children of STA members active during the applicants graduating school year.
Award Denominations: Six awards of $2,000 each
Deadline for application: September 18, 2020
Awarded in October
Complete the Surrey Teachers’ Association Awards Application (Application Form for children of STA Members).

Bursaries for Indigenous Students

Who is eligible: Open to any current Grade 12 student at a Surrey public secondary school during the 2019/2020 school year who identifies as an Indigenous Student
Award Denominations: Two awards of $2,000 each
Deadline for application: May 15, 2020
Awarded in June 2020
Complete the Surrey Teachers’ Association Indigenous Student Awards (Application Form for Surrey Students).

Jennifer Wadge 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 Award for Children of STA Members

Who is eligible: Applicants must be graduating children of STA members active during the applicants graduating school year.
Award Denominations: Two awards of $2,000 each
Deadline for application: September 18, 2020
Awarded in October
Complete the Surrey Teachers’ Association Awards Application (Application Form for children of STA Members).

Jennifer Wadge Memorial Social Justice Open Awards

Who is eligible: Open to any current Grade 12 student at a Surrey public secondary school during the 2018/2019 school year.
Award Denominations: Four awards of $2,000 each
Deadline for application: May 15, 2020
Awarded in June
Complete the Jennifer Wadge Memorial Social Justice Open Awards (Application Form for Surrey Students).