Students Mentoring Students Bursary (Pilot Program)
Due to popular demand, applications to this program are currently closed
As of July 8, 2024, we have received enough applications to fill all 100 available spots. Our Enrollment team is working to screen all applicants and over the course of the next few weeks we will determine whether or not we can re-open applications to fill any spots that become available due to applicant withdrawals. Please stay tuned to this website.
Thank you to everyone who applied.
Students Mentoring Students Bursary (SMSB) is an exciting pilot program offering resume-building experience and skills, PLUS a $1,000 bursary to 100 post-secondary students in Edmonton and Area!
Be a mentor to young people in your community and have a life-changing impact on their lives—and yours.
SMSB is a pilot project in collaboration with a new experiment through Volunteer Alberta called the Community Nonprofit Internship Program (CNiP), which is granting bursaries to volunteers attending post-secondary schools across Alberta as an incentive and reward for their generous service. BGCBigs is excited to participate in this program through our SMSB pilot program.
By participating in BGCBigs' SMSB pilot program you can gain new experience, build your resume, boost your profile, earn a $1,000* bursary, and of course make a positive difference in the lives of young people.
Applications are now closed for the 2024-2025 school year.
Please stay tuned for next year.
Students Mentoring Students Bursary program is powered by CNiP and Volunteer Alberta
Your commitment
- 100 post-secondary students will be a mentor to two (2) young people from October 2024 through April 2025.
- Each mentor will spend one (1) hour per week with each young person (2 hours max.).
- School loations include one of our All In for Youth (AIFY) Schools:
- St. Alphonsus Elementary/Junior High
- John A McDougall Elementary
- Delton Elementary
- Spruce Avenue Junior High
- Ivor Dent Elementary/Junior High
- Abbot Elementary
- Norwood Elementary
- Additional school locations include:
- Meyokumin School (limited space available)
- St. Elizabeth School (limited space available)
- Ecole Gabrielle Roy (Francophone school)
- Successful completion of the program requires:
- Spend approximately 40 hours mentoring in addition to completing 15-20 hours of enrollment, training and match monitoring requirements.
- Participate in mandatory online training(s)
- Complete a sign-in/sign-out form for every mentoring session
- Remain in good standing for the duration of the volunteer commitment
- Submit Bursary Application Form to Volunteer Alberta.
The above map shows the school locations and nearby transit centres.
A note about your availability
Because mentoring takes place during school hours, in order to fulfill your commitment, you will need approximately two (2) hours available between 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays or between 9:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. on Thursdays.
We strongly encourage applications from a diverse group of equity-deserving students from representational and racialized backgrounds with diverse lived experiences.
Enrollment Process
All successful applicants will be required to:
- Apply to the SMSB program via the CNiP website
- Complete the BGCBigs online application form
- Provide three (3) references
- Provide proof of post-secondary enrollment
- Complete a Police Information Check
- Complete a Child & Youth Intervention Record Check
- Complete a pre-screen and interview (2.5 hrs)
What you'll get in return
$1,000* bursary upon completion of the program
Valuable resume-building assets such as:
- Letters of reference
- Strength-based training
- Real-world experience in a local school and classroom
- Increased social and network connections
Applications are now closed.
In collaboration with
*In order to be awarded the Bursary volunteers must meet all program requirements and maintain good standing in the program.