Can I apply for a scholarship?

To qualify to apply for a scholarship, applicants must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at VIU.  Applicants must also meet all required criteria for the specific scholarship that they are applying for.  As long as an applicant meets these qualifications, they are welcome to apply for the scholarship.

Can I apply for more than one scholarship at a time?

Yes, students are welcome to apply for up to two scholarships per semester although students are only eligible to receive one per semester.

Can I use my scholarship award money towards my living expenses?

No. Scholarship awards are awarded as a credit towards your semester tuition. You will not receive any cash reward.

If I meet the minimum criteria for a scholarship, am I guaranteed a scholarship?

No.  Scholarship selection is made based on a variety of factors.  An objective analysis of all aspects of the application will be made when making award decisions.  Just because an applicant is qualified for the scholarship in which they apply for, there is no guarantee that they will be awarded the scholarship.

I received a scholarship last school year. Am I going to receive the scholarship again this year?

VIU’s Tuition Scholarship Program (TSP) is an annual tuition scholarship, and the award will expire on its anniversary. Students must reapply for the scholarship if they wish to be considered to receive the scholarship again.

How are VIU scholarships funded?

The VIU Tuition Scholarship Program (TSP) is funded by multiple sources including generous contributions from individuals and organizations.

How do I know if I have been awarded a scholarship?

Scholarship applicants will be notified by email and post mail of the decision made by the Scholarship Committee prior to the start of classes that the scholarship has been awarded.

Besides TOEFL and IELTS, what other English language test scores can be submitted with a scholarship application?

In addition to the TOEFL and IELTS test scores, VIU will consider test scores from the Pearson Test of English as a qualifier for a scholarship. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Scholarship Committee chair for other test scores that may be accepted.

How can I obtain a scholarship application form?

Students wishing to apply for a scholarship are required to submit an online scholarship application via the VIU website. For application form click here.

Do I have to be enrolled at VIU to apply for a scholarship?

First semester undergraduates and graduates, as well as currently enrolled VIU students, are welcome to apply for a scholarship. Applicants who have not yet been accepted to the university will not be considered for a scholarship until an admission decision has been made.

What is the application deadline to apply for a scholarship?

The scholarship application deadlines are always posted on the VIU website. Applicants are urged to check this page for the deadline specific to the semester in which they plan to enroll. Scholarships are not offered during summer sessions. All applications and supporting documents must be submitted by these dates. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

Why do I have to apply for a scholarship each academic year?

VIU scholarships expire annually on the anniversary that it was awarded. Therefore, a student’s eligibility needs to be reevaluated each year to ensure that the applicant continues to meet the required criteria.

How do I reapply for a scholarship that I was previously awarded?

The application process to reapply for a scholarship is exactly the same as the process you completed the first time that you applied for a scholarship. Applicants need to submit a completed application form and supporting documentation to the Scholarship Committee Chair prior to the application deadline.

What do I have to do to maintain my scholarship award?

There are many responsibilities of a scholarship holder. To maintain your scholarship, you must continue to meet the following criteria:

1. Be enrolled as a full time student in an undergraduate or graduate program
2. Maintain good academic standing
3. Maintain the scholarship-specific cumulative GPA

If any of the above criteria are not met, the scholarship award may be terminated.

What is the minimum cumulative GPA must I have to be considered for a scholarship?

The minimum cumulative GPA to be considered for a scholarship at VIU is 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.  Please note that each scholarship has its own specific required GPA requirement so applicants are encouraged to verify the requirement prior to applying.

What TOEFL scores does VIU accept to apply for a scholarship?

Both paper-based (pb) and Internet-based (iB) scores will be considered for scholarship applications. The minimum scores accepted are:

pB – 563
iB – 83

Scores below 563 and 83 respectively will not be accepted.  Please note that each scholarship has its own specific required score requirement so applicants are encouraged to verify the requirement prior to applying.

What is the minimum IELTS score accepted to be considered for a VIU scholarship?

The minimum IELTS score accepted is 65.  Scores below 6.5 will not be considered.  Please note that each scholarship has its own specific required score requirement so applicants are encouraged to verify the requirement prior to applying.

I am applying for a scholarship that I have been awarded in the past, but my test scores are now more than 2 years old. Can I still submit these scores with my application?

TOEFL and IELTS scores expire 2 years after the test date.  Therefore, we are unable to consider these test scores for a scholarship application.

Can I receive more than one VIU scholarship at a time?

VIU students are eligible to receive only one VIU scholarship per semester.  Scholarships cannot be awarded to applicants who receive any other type of outside scholarship (example: government scholarships).