Students Mentoring Students Bursary
Applications for the 2026-2027 school year are currently paused.
Please join our waitlist.
We’ve been thrilled by the incredible interest in the Students Mentoring Students Bursary (SMSB) Program.
Due to the high number of applications received, we have temporarily paused new applications. If you’re interested in participating, please join our waitlist.
As we continue screening and onboarding applicants, additional spaces may become available. If a spot opens, we’ll contact individuals on the waitlist in the order they were received.
Thank you for your interest in mentoring and making a difference in the lives of young people in our community.
Students Mentoring Students Bursary (SMSB) is an exciting 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 mentoring project that grants bursaries to volunteers attending post-secondary schools as an incentive and reward for their generous service.
By participating in BGCBigs' SMSB 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.
Your commitment
100 post-secondary students will be a mentor to two (2) young people from September 2026 through May 2027.
- Each mentor will spend one (1) hour per week with each young person (2 hours max.).
- Priority School locations (with the highest capacity) include:
- Abbot Elementary
- Delton Elementary (At Capacity)
- Ivor Dent Elementary/Junior High
- John A McDougall Elementary (At Capacity)
- Norwood School (At Capacity)
- St. Alphonsus Elementary/Junior High (At Capacity)
- Spruce Avenue Junior High (At Capacity)
- Additional school locations (in Edmonton, with limited capacity) include:
- Academy at King Edward (At Capacity)
- Garneau School (At Capacity)
- Kate Chegwin School (At Capacity)
- Kisewatisiwin School (At Capacity)
- Lee Ridge School (At Capacity)
- Menisa Elementary School (At Capacity)
- Millcreek School (At Capacity)
- St. Teresa of Calcutta (At Capacity)
- TD Baker School (At Capacity)
- Additional school locations (Outside of Edmonton) include:
- Brentwood Elementary (Sherwood Park)
- Glen Allan Elementary (Sherwood Park)
- Mills Haven Elementary (Sherwood Park)
- École Hillgrove School (St. Albert)
- Lois E Hole School (St. Albert)
- Ronald Harvey Elementary (St. Albert)
- Georges H Primeau (Morinville)
- École Broxton Park School (Spruce Grove)
- High Park School (Stony Plain - At Capacity)
- Forest Green School (Stony Plain)
- 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
-
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:
- 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 for the 2026-2027 school year are currently paused.
Please join our waitlist.
We’ve been thrilled by the incredible interest in the Students Mentoring Students Bursary (SMSB) Program.
Due to the high number of applications received, we have temporarily paused new applications. If you’re interested in participating, please join our waitlist.
As we continue screening and onboarding applicants, additional spaces may become available. If a spot opens, we’ll contact individuals on the waitlist in the order they were received.
Thank you for your interest in mentoring and making a difference in the lives of young people in our community.
*In order to be awarded the Bursary volunteers must meet all program requirements and maintain good standing in the program.