International Education Education Abroad Stipend

You may be eligible to receive a stipend from the Education Abroad Fund if you have been accepted into a VIU Education Abroad program and actively participate in a volunteer activity that involves international students.

 

LIST OF VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES - click here

Stipends Available

Program Length	Stipend Amount	Volunteer Hours *	Minimum GPA
Short Term 1	$350	10	4
One Semester 2	$750	15	6
Two Semesters 3	$1000	20	6

Eligibility Requirements

• You must have been enrolled at Vancouver Island University in the semester immediately preceding the education abroad program in a minimum 60 percent course load (9 semester credits) as defined in the calendar;
• The education abroad course/practicum must be a part of your program of studies at Vancouver Island University and must be taken for credit;
• You must not be in receipt of any publicly funded award or sponsorship for the education abroad program;
• You must not earn income while on the education abroad program;
• You must be in “good standing” at VIU. If you are on probation, have a GPA lower than the minimum required over the previous Fall and Spring semesters, or have a “registration services withheld” flag on your student record, you will not be eligible for the stipend;
• You are only eligible to receive the stipend one time.

• If you do not successfully complete the Education Abroad program or the associated academic course(s) will be required to return the stipend to International Education.

Don't know if you are eligible? Email educationabroad@viu.ca.

You will receive the stipend shortly before you depart on your Education abroad program. Make sure that you submit your Stipend Application form and your Activity Completion form at least 3 weeks before you depart.

Volunteer Placements

We will provide a list of volunteer activities but it is your responsibility to arrange the placement. Activities not on the list must be pre-approved by the Education Abroad office. Volunteer hours completed before your stipend application is received will not count for this purpose. You must actively participate in the volunteer activity.

Application forms may be picked up from the Reception desk in the building 255.

Volunteer activity list: viu.ca/studyabroad/volact.asp.

1. Programs must be a minimum of 10 days . Programs in the USA do not qualify for this fund.
2. Refers to exchange programs of 1 academic semester, or 1 or 2 terms at a partner institution, or an unpaid internship of at least 12 weeks abroad.
3. Refers to exchange programs of 2 academic semesters or 3 terms at a partner institution.
4. Students who are not able to fulfill the volunteer requirements before departure, and who will continue their studies at VIU during the following semester, may be granted permission to complete this requirement after the education abroad program ends. In this case, the stipend will not be disbursed until the activity has been completed. Students who do not live in Nanaimo may be able to arrange an activity in their home community.