MOOSE JAW — The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) in Saskatchewan is announcing the return of its province-wide New Beginnings Grant scholarship program offering $5,000 to one woman in the province who seeks to further her education but faces economic barriers along the way.
Grant applications are open now and the deadline to apply is Monday, Oct. 28.
“This is the second year that we’ve been able to offer (the grant) …,” announced Dalelene Yelland, the CFUW’s regional director in Saskatchewan. “One of the main things we’re looking at is to be sure that (we select) someone (who) will really feel as though — if they can further their education — they will be empowered economically…
“Our hope is that it’s going to enable one individual (to have) an opportunity to change their life and not feel that they are caught by some of the situations that they find themselves in,” she said. “(Our hope is also) that the $5,000 will be enough financial assistance (to enable them) to pursue their goals.”
The New Beginnings Grant is awarded to a woman “who can effectively demonstrate that she has been held back from her career goals by her current level of education and lack of financial resources and who is determined to advance her education to reach her goals,” according to the CFUW website.
“I really like the name (of the grant),” Yelland added, giving a nod to the intended spirit of the program. “It’s unique, and we’re trying to do with that grant exactly what the name says — it means a new beginning in someone’s life.”
To qualify, all applicants must be women over the age of 21 who reside in Saskatchewan. Each applicant must clearly demonstrate the financial need for the grant, be financially responsible for themselves and their dependents, and be accepted into any program at an educational institution.
“We do ask for their academic standings… and we ask them to introduce themselves in a way that will reflect what they have been doing in their life in the past few years,” Yelland explained.
“If they’ve been doing some volunteering in the community, some of those types of things are very helpful when we’re trying to make a decision.”
Last year’s inaugural grant winner was Jessica Falcon from Lloydminster, Sask., who is now completing her program at Sask. Polytech thanks to the New Beginnings Grant.
In Saskatchewan, the CFUW operates in four communities including Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, and Yorkton — although the grant is available province-wide and includes applicants from Moose Jaw. Funds for the program are raised through the federation’s regular book sales and the CFUW operates independently.
Established in 1919, the CFUW is one of the oldest service clubs in Canada.
Founded in the wake of the Industrial Revolution, the federation seeks to advance the independence of women through education. Among its members have been several outstanding women and today the organization retains around 100 clubs across Canada with more than 7,500 members.
Each year, the CFUW awards more than $1 million in educational grants for women.
To learn more about the CFUW and its work in promoting the status of women visit CFUW.org.
For more information from a local contact, Dalelene Yelland can be reached by phone at 306-960-9360 or by email at [email protected].
For more information on the Saskatchewan-based CFUW and the New Beginnings Grant program, visit CFUW-Saskatoon.org or email the organization at [email protected].
All scholarship grant applications can be submitted to [email protected] or by scanning the QR code on the affiliated poster before the Oct. 28 deadline.
