The United Croats of Canada
King Tomislav Branch
(Croatian Cultural Centre)
3250 Commercial Drive ~ Vancouver, BC ~ V5N 4E4

SCHOLARSHIPS and BURSARIES
HRVATSKA SKOLSKA ZAKLADA

The United Croats of Canada, King Tomislav Branch, is a nonprofit organization registered under the Societies Act of British Columbia. As one of its objectives the United Croats of Canada, King Tomislav Branch, contributes to the enhancement, and promotion of Croatian culture among the people of Croatian ancestry. This is partly manifested through the many activities of the Croatian Cultural Centre such as teaching folk dancing, music, and song; providing Croatian language instruction; and other similar activities. In addition, The United Croats of Canada, King Tomislav Branch, has established a Scholarship and Bursary Fund. This fund is maintained by donations from The United Croats of Canada, King Tomislav Branch, and from the Croatian and broader communities. All charitable donations made by the public are income tax deductible. A receipt is issued by The United Croats of Canada, King Tomislav Branch, for this purpose.

All students of Croatian ancestry and resident in BC are eligible to apply for either a scholarship or a bursary. At least one parent must be of Croatian ancestry. Applications are made to the Croatian Scholarship and Bursary Committee. Applications are received annually.

Scholarships
Scholarships in the amounts of $500 and $1,000 are available for full time attendance either at a university, college, or a technical/vocational institute. In the event of a large number of qualified applications lesser amounts may be awarded. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit. They are intended for initial post secondary schooling and are not available for graduate work. All successful applicants will have previously demonstrated a capacity for high achievement. This will be established through the applicant’s school transcritp, two written letters of reference from the applicant’s teacher(s) or school counsellor, and a short essay on a topic chosen by the committee. Scholarships are normally provided for a term of one year or less. Applicants may re-apply for a scholarship but if funds are limited preference will be given to students in their initial year of post secondary schooling.

Bursaries
Bursaries in the amounts of $500 and $1,000 are available for full time attendance either at a university, college, or a technical/vocational institute. In the event of a large number of qualified applications lesser amounts may be awarded. They are intended for initial post secondary schooling and are not available for graduate work. Bursaries are awarded on the basis of financial need and previously demonstrated capacity for successful completion of a program of studies. Capacity for successful completion of a course of studies will be established through the applicant’s school transcritp, two written letters of reference from the applicant’s teacher(s) or school counsellor, and a short essay on a topic chosen by the committee.

The applicant must also complete an application form that provides their financial background as well as that of their parents. This is partly accomplished by providing a copy of the family’s last completed income tax return(s). The information from the income tax return(s) will be held in the strictest of confidence. Bursaries are normally provided for a term of one year or less.

Applicants may re-apply for a bursary but if funds are limited preference will be given to students in their initial year of post secondary schooling.

Application Process

Applications are available from the office of The United Croats of Canada, King Tomislav Branch, (Croatian Cultural Centre) at 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5N 4E4, or by telephoning the Centre at 604/879-0154. Applications are also available for downloading (click here) from the Centre’s website at www.croatiancentre.com (click on Croatian Services at the bottom of the page, then click on scholarships and bursaries). Applications are accepted at any time of the year. However, completed applications should be received by May 1^st to be considered for the fall term or semester. Applicants will normally be advised by June 1^st of the status of their applications. In some instances final decisions may not be made until government examination results are made available to the committee. Applications, though, may signify a start date other than the fall term or semester for the applicant’s school program. All completed applications should be sent to the Croatian Cultural Centre at the address above. All scholarship or bursary awards must be claimed by December 31^st of the year in which it is awarded.