Grant and Funding Programs Offered by CFUW Abbotsford (CFUW)

CFUW Abbotsford is a long‑standing women’s organization, founded in 1953 and active in Abbotsford, British Columbia. As part of the Canadian Federation of University Women network, the club focuses on education, equity and advocacy, and plays a concrete funding role by supporting women’s access to post-secondary education in its region. It has established an Education Trust and an Endowment Fund that generate the resources used to finance scholarships and bursaries.

The club targets primarily mature women who are returning to or continuing their studies at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). Through its endowed funds, CFUW Abbotsford awards several recurring financial awards each year, including a scholarship for full‑time study, a bursary for part‑time students, and a leadership award in UFV’s Health Care Faculty. These awards help cover educational costs and recognize both academic achievement and leadership potential.

The Education Trust and Endowment Fund are designed to provide stable, long‑term support. The income from the endowment guarantees that at least one scholarship and one bursary can be offered annually in perpetuity, creating a reliable funding stream for students. Over time, the cumulative value of CFUW Abbotsford’s giving to UFV students has surpassed $100,000, a contribution that has been formally recognized by the university.

While CFUW Abbotsford sets the purpose and funding for the awards, the administration and application process are handled by the University of the Fraser Valley’s Financial Aid & Awards Office. Prospective applicants obtain detailed eligibility criteria, deadlines and application procedures directly from UFV, ensuring alignment with university policies and fair, centralized adjudication.

Beyond financial assistance, CFUW Abbotsford offers a community of support through its membership, combining scholarships with mentorship, advocacy and networking. Members may serve on scholarship committees, contribute to fundraising for the Education Trust and Endowment Fund, and participate in advocacy for women’s education at local, provincial and national levels. This combination of financial and social support helps recipients return to school, complete degrees and move into meaningful careers.

In addition to its direct awards, the club collaborates with the wider CFUW network, which collectively distributes more than one million dollars in scholarships and bursaries across Canada each year. Within this national context, CFUW Abbotsford functions as a community‑based grant provider with a clearly defined educational mandate and a sustained local impact.