FINANCIAL AID
Let's Make a Plan
Financial help is available for your studies at Columbia. There are four main sources of financial aid available to Columbia students: scholarships & bursaries, partner grants, student loans and discounts. What’s truly amazing is that the majority of this funding comes from generous individuals and churches who are passionate about investing in you and your Bible college education!
Scroll down to learn about eligibility, timelines, and how to apply for each type of aid. Remember Financial Aid is here to answer all your questions and to help you make a plan for attending Columbia.
Need help with scholarship applications?
We’ve compiled a list of helpful tips to help you write a successful scholarship application.
Need a Confirmation of Enrollment letter?
Students can request a Confirmation of Enrollment completing a request form. Please contact Tara Walker if you have any questions.
Need a reference?
Some scholarship and bursary applications require an accompanying reference or nomination. Please send this link to your reference, with plenty of time to spare.
Timeline
| Fall 2024 Semester | Winter 2025 Semester | |||
| Applications Open | March 15, 2024 | Oct 31, 2024 | ||
| Application Deadline | May 15, 2024 | Nov 22, 2024 | ||
| Recipients Notified | May 31, 2024 | Dec 16, 2024 |
Awards based on grades and/or community & church involvement
* Reference required
Fall Semester
Columbia Service Scholarship | $1,500
Awarded to students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (74%+) who plan to complete a Bachelor degree at Columbia. The recipients will have demonstrated a history of ministry involvement in their church, school, and/or community and show a commitment to ongoing ministry involvement while at Columbia.
Faith Formation Award | $1,000
*Student Development Discipleship Scholarship | $1,000
The LEE, Ching Ping Memorial Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,000
Quest Academic Achievement Scholarship | 1 Award at $5,000 or 2 Awards at $2,500
Awards based on demonstrated financial need
* Reference required
Fall Semester
New Student Bursary | $500 - $1,000
40s & 50s Alumni Bursary | 1 Award at $1,000
ELF Bursary in Memory of Elijah Lee Friesen | 1 Award at $2,000
ELF Bursary (Friends & Family) | 1 Award at $500
Freshman Single Parent Family Encouragement Bursary | 1 Award at $500
Awarded to an entering freshman student coming from a single parent family. The recipient will be a sincere student, able to demonstrate financial need and have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5.
G & K Letkeman Memorial Bursary | 2 Awards at $2,000
Hildebrand Family Bursary | 2 Awards at $1,500
Hulda Nickel Memorial Bursary | 1 Award at $2,500
International Student Bursary | 1 Award at $2,000
Psalm 23 Bursary | 1 Award at $2,000
QUEST Bursary | 2 Awards at $500 each
Thiessen Foundation Bursary | 1 Award at $1,500
The Yeung, Shoo Lan - Memorial Bursary | 1 Award at $1,000
Awarded to one new student with a minimum GPA of 2.0, who has demonstrated excellence in service.
Winter Semester
New Student Bursary | 1 Award at $1,000 or 2 Awards at $500
Camp Ministries Award | 2 awards at $250
Entrance Scholarships
Entrance Scholarships are open to incoming students who have graduated high school in the past five years and have completed no more than 30 credits at another post-secondary institution. When you are accepted to Columbia (before March 15 for Fall semester or November 1 for Winter), you are automatically considered for an Entrance Scholarship.
To qualify, be sure to be accepted by March 15th for Fall or November 1st for Winter.
$2,000 Award for GPA of 90% and up
$1,500 Award for GPA of 85 - 89.9%
To keep your scholarship for the full academic year, you must maintain a full-time course load (12+credits/semester) with a minimum 1st-year GPA of 3.0.
How is my incoming grade point average calculated?
Columbia calculates a student’s incoming grade average using their grade 12 English (academic) course, 2 other grade 12 academic courses, and 2 grade 12 elective courses. Please note that all 5 of these courses must be different grade 12 courses (i.e. Psychology 1 & Psychology 2 would not count as two separate courses).
Students who have “in-process” grade 12 classes will be evaluated based on grade 11 marks. All required classes must be either completed or “in-process” during your final high school semester/term and you must be offered accepted before March 15th. The offer of an entrance scholarship to “Conditionally Admitted” students is itself conditional upon their successful completion of all required grade 12 courses, and a final grade average of at least 85%.
Scholarships & Bursaries for Continuing Students
Timeline for Continuing Student Awards
| Fall 2024 Semester | Winter 2025 Semester | |||
| Applications Open | Jan 24, 2024 | Oct 31, 2024 | ||
| Application Deadline | Feb 13, 2024 | Nov 22, 2024 | ||
| Recipients Notified | Mar 1, 2024 | Dec 16, 2024 |
Awards based on grades and/or community & church involvement
* Reference required
Fall Semester
40s & 50s Alumni Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,000
Academic Endeavour Award (Mitsuru Shimbara) | 1 Award at $1,500
Henry and Selma Epp Bursary | 1 Award at $1000
AJ & Betty Klassen Scholarship | 1 Award at $750
BCMB Church Ministry Scholarship | 2 Awards at $1,125
Blackwood Music Scholarship | 1 Award at $500
Columbia Senior Student Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,200
Dr. Nick & Betty Willems Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,000
Dr. Walter Unger Leadership Award | 1 Award at $1,500
ENCOMPASS Benefits & HR Solutions Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,000
Erin Konrad Memorial Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,000
George & Karen Schmidt Leadership Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,000
Grace Rempel Memorial Scholarship | 2 Awards at $1,000
Helen Dirksen Memorial Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,000
Henry & Esther Born Memorial Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,000
Inez Lutz Memorial Scholarship | 1 Award at $500
J & L Scholarship for Ministry | 1 Award at $5,000
Jacob & Helena Janzen Memorial Scholarship | 1 Award at $5,000
JB Toews Historial Commission College Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,000
Kim Manchip Memorial Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,000
Marilyn Cadwell Memorial Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,500
Peter Friesen Memorial Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,000
Norbert Grabowski Memorial Fund | 1 Award at $1,000
Awarded to the second year student who attained the highest mark in the first year. Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0.
Wayne & Gwen Reese Ministry Scholarship | 1 Award at $1,300
Awards based on demonstrated financial need
* Reference required
Fall Semester
David and Stella Manuel Leadership Bursary | 1 Award at $1,000
G & K Letkeman Memorial Bursary | 2 Awards at $2,000
John Schmidt Memorial Bursary | 1 Award at $1,000
Schellenberg Family Bursary | 1 Award at $2,000
Victor and Helen Dick Memorial Bursary | 1 Award at $2,500
Winter Semester
Continuing Student Bursary | 25 Awards between $500 - $1,000
Graduating Student Awards
The following are awarded to a graduating student, with applications opening in March 1st and closing March 31st every spring semester.
Katie Janzen Memorial Graduation Bursary | 1 Award at $1,000
This $1,000 bursary has been designed to help students graduate with less financial debt. It is awarded to a student who qualifies for financial need and who is entering into ministry helping others. Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.0. Apply for this award >
Jake & Katy Goossen Award for Excellence - BA student | 1 Award at $5,000
The Jake & Katy Goossen Award for Excellence is a $5,000 scholarship, awarded to a graduating BA student who has displayed exceptional leadership qualities in ministry, personal faith, academics and in the Columbia community and beyond. Two references shall be provided by leaders who have observed the student. The letters should demonstrate and provide evidence of the student’s character, leadership achievements and goals. Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.5.
Jake & Katy Goossen Award for Excellence - Diploma student | 2 Awards at $2,500
The Jake & Katy Goossen Award for Excellence is a $2,500 scholarship, awarded to a graduating Diploma student who has displayed a sincere and devout love for Jesus, exceptional leadership qualities as displayed at Columbia and/or ministry/business contexts and a capacity to be a future difference maker. Two references shall be provided by leaders who have observed the student. The letters should demonstrate and provide evidence of the student’s character, leadership achievements and goals. Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.5.
MDS Canada Service Scholarship
Scholarship Details
The MDS Canada Service Scholarship was established to encourage post-secondary students to serve with MDS, while also offering financial support for their education.
A total of up to eight scholarships are available each year to students enrolled at the following schools: Canadian Mennonite University (CMU), Columbia Bible College (CBC), Conrad Grebel University College, Steinbach Bible College (SBC).
Amount: CMU, CBC, SBC students – tuition only (no extra fees) for four three-credit hour courses. Conrad Grebel students – $4500 flat rate per scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Students must meet the MDS criteria for long-term volunteers. This includes being at least 19 years old, a Christian, willing to abide by MDS Core Values and affirm the Mennonite World Conference Statement of Shared Convictions while serving with MDS.
- Must be a full-time student in a degree program.
- Must be in good academic standing with their school.
- Must be eligible to volunteer at both Canadian and US projects. (MDS does not provide assistance with visas.)
Evaluation Criteria:
MDS is looking for students who are service-oriented, self-motivated, flexible, willing to work with a team, willing to do hard physical work, and are aligned with MDS values.
Additional Information
MDS provides:
- Travel to and from the project (plane ticket, or gas and hotel reimbursement if travelling by vehicle; food is not covered during travel).
- Accommodation and meals while on project.
- Tools and safety equipment while on project.
Note – Volunteers are responsible for their own medical/travel insurance.
Download the MDS Canada Service Scholarship Information sheet here.
How to Apply
Application process:
- Submit MDS Service Scholarship application by January 31 to Tara Walker.
- Selected applicants will be invited for interviews (via zoom or in-person) and may be asked for two references (including one from a professor or staff person at their school).
- Scholarships will be offered by March 15. Applicants who are wait-listed or are not offered scholarships will also be notified by March 15.
- Placement dates/location will be arranged as soon as possible after offers are accepted.
Requirements if accepted:
- Complete at least four weeks of service with MDS.
- Submit a 500-word reflection on the experience of serving with MDS.
The Extraordinary Circumstance Financial Bursary
Grant Details
Amount: $1000 to 25 credits of tuition per academic year; to be awarded in two equal instalments after the Add/Drop deadline each semester.) Award amount varies depending on need & circumstance.
The intention of the award is to provide an opportunity to a student who, due to extraordinary circumstance(s), would otherwise be hindered from attending Columbia Bible College. Preference will be given to students who have no or minimal access to other forms of financial support or aid (i.e. international students outside of Canada and the USA).
Grant Eligibility
- Be a new or returning student, enrolled in a Columbia program (certificate, diploma, or degree) and be taking at least 9.0 credits per semester. Educational Assistant students are eligible so long as in addition to their program courses they take 3.0 credits of RELS courses per semester.
- Demonstrate significant financial need due to extraordinary circumstance(s).
- Preference given to those without access to financial assistance or social safety nets (i.e international students outside of America and Canada who do not have access to government assistance, student loans, etc)
- Additional examples could include those who have come from a recovery program, or who have experienced a recent tragedy.
- Submit an essay with their application (200-300 words) explaining their extraordinary circumstances.
- Provide a character reference from a spiritual director or pastor who has known them for at least one year.
- Show evidence of a financial plan, or financial support from a local partner of Columbia Bible College describing the ability to cover other related expenses such as: housing, food, travel, books, etc.
- Columbia Bible College believes that students succeed when supported by additional people and/or organizations; therefore, it is Columbia’s desire to partner with other groups in the support of students.
- Partners may include, but are not limited to: MCC, ICOMB, Multiply, local Church, a local family, etc.
Contact Tara in Financial Aid for more information.
Church Match Bursary
Grant Details
Amount: Up to $1000/year from Columbia plus up to $1000/year from your home church.
How to Apply
Open To:
To receive a Church Match Bursary, the student must:
- Be a full-time student (12 credits +) each semester.
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.0 each semester.
- Submit the online application and have their church submit an agreement form.
How It Works:
- You approach your home church and ask if they’d be willing to help fund your education at Columbia. (Your youth pastor is usually a great place to start.)
- Columbia will match the church’s contribution up to $500/semester ($1000/year).
- Applications can be submitted for the whole year or each semester individually.
- Bursaries are given out to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to apply early, for the whole year.
How to Apply:
- Student must submit the Student Application Form
- The student’s church must submit the Church Agreement Form
Please note: The Church Agreement Form should be completed by a member of the church staff (pastor or secretary) or leadership/elder council and must NOT be completed by a member of the student’s family. - Once the application package is approved, the Director of Financial Aid will notify the student and contact the church with payment details.
- The student’s church must send their contribution directly to the school.
Please note: Money must come directly to the school to be applied to the student’s account. Money sent directly to the student will not be considered for the Church Match Bursary program. - Once the church’s contribution has arrived, Columbia will apply their match to the student’s account.
- Columbia will be responsible for issuing a T4A to the student for Columbia’s portion of the bursary if the amount exceeds $500. The church is responsible to issue a T4A for their portion of the bursary if their contribution exceeds $500.
Forms & Application Dates
Application Dates
| May 1 | Applications Open | |
| November 15 | Deadline for Full-Year and Fall Semester Applications | |
| March 15 | Deadline for Winter Semester Applications |
Camp Match Bursary
Grant Details
Amount: Columbia will match up to $500 in funding
Camp Match Bursaries are available to Columbia students who serve at a Bible camp during the summer. Columbia will match up to $500 in funding. Bursaries are given out to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis.
Students serving at a camp owned by Columbia’s supporting denominations, Mennonite Church BC and BCMB, may be eligible to receive a three-way match ($500 from the denomination, $500 from the camp, and $500 from Columbia.) The eligible camps for a 3-way match are Camp Likely, Camp Bob, Gardom Lake Bible Camp, Stillwood, Camp Squeah, and Pines Bible Camp.
How to Apply
Open To:
To receive a Camp Match Bursary, the student must:
- Attend Columbia as a full-time student (12+ credits/semester) for the academic year following your summer at camp
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Serve for the summer at camp
If you are the student:
- Work at camp for the summer.
- Give or send the Camp Match info sheet to your camp director and ask them to consider participating in the camp match program to help fund your Columbia Bible College education. (Columbia will match up to $500 for the year.)
- Submit the student application.
- Bursaries are given out to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to apply early.
Forms & Application Dates
Application Dates
| May 1 | Applications Open | |
| November 15 | Bursaries Close. |
Leadership Training Matching Grant
Grant Details
Amount: Up to $2,000/year from the Canadian MB Conference plus up to $2,000 from your home church.
Open To: Third- and fourth-year students at Columbia who meet the following requirements:
- A member of an MB church in Canada for at least six months prior to the date of the application
- Active in volunteer or paid ministry in a local church
- Achieve a passing grade in all courses funded and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Intend to pursue pastoral ministry, cross-cultural ministry, or professional Christian service with the Mennonite Brethren upon graduation
- Complete a discernment process with local church pastor
How to Apply: Application instructions and forms are available at: MB Leadership Training Matching Grant.
Here at Columbia, we understand that no matter how much you plan, changes can and do happen to your financial situation. We are happy to work with you, and we have amazingly generous donors who want to make Columbia a possibility for students.
If you have explored other options like our scholarships & bursaries, Canadian student loans and grants, and are still needing some financial help, please connect with Tara Walker. She will provide you with an application and will walk you through your next steps.
Please note, you will be required to demonstrate your financial preparedness and previous avenues you’ve explored before we will make a decision. The number of awards and amount of funding varies depending on need.