Douglas College in British Columbia, Canada, offers nearly $100,000 in scholarships and awards to international students every year. These funding opportunities cover both new students entering the college and continuing students who have demonstrated strong academic performance. For anyone looking to study in Canada at an affordable institution with real financial support available, Douglas College is worth your serious attention.
These scholarships are open to students from all countries around the world. Whether you are just applying to Douglas College for the first time or are already enrolled and performing well, there is a funding category that may apply to you. The awards range from $1,000 to $7,000 depending on the specific scholarship, and some require no separate application at all.
This post covers all the scholarships and awards available at Douglas College for international students, including the entrance awards, continuing student scholarships, the Global Citizenship Dean Award, the Athletic Scholarship, and the outbound mobility bursary. You will find eligibility requirements, deadlines, required documents, and a step-by-step guide on how to apply.
Scholarship Overview
| Field | Information |
| Host Country | Canada |
| Degree Level | Undergraduate / College Diploma / Certificate |
| Funding Type | Partial (entrance awards and continuing student awards) |
| Deadline | Varies by semester and scholarship type |
| Who Can Apply | International students from all countries |
| Benefits Summary | Awards ranging from $1,000 to $7,000 toward tuition and studies |
Eligibility
Each scholarship at Douglas College has its own specific requirements. Here is a breakdown by award:
Douglas International Education Regional Entrance Award ($1,000 to $2,000):
- Citizenship: Open to international students from all countries.
- Academic qualifications: Typically requires an above-average GPA (B equivalent or higher).
- Language requirements: Strong English language proficiency scores required. IELTS 7.0 or above, or an equivalent score from an accepted test.
- Other requirements: Must have applied to Douglas College by the official semester application deadline. No separate scholarship application is needed.
Dr. Guangwei Ouyang International Education Entrance Scholarship ($2,500):
- Citizenship: Open to international students from all countries.
- Academic qualifications: Selection is based on previous academic performance.
- Other requirements: Students must have already applied to Douglas College and must submit a separate scholarship application form by the relevant deadline. Engagement in school, community, or personal development activities is also considered.
Douglas College International Returning Student Scholarship:
- Citizenship: Must be an international student currently enrolled at Douglas College.
- Academic qualifications: Must have completed at least 21 letter-grade credits at Douglas College with a minimum GPA of 3.75.
- Enrollment requirements: Must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 credits within any academic program.
- Other requirements: This award can only be received once during your studies. No application is required; eligible students are identified automatically.
Continuing Student Global Citizenship Dean Award ($1,500):
- Academic qualifications: Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above at the time of application.
- Enrollment requirements: Must have completed 21 or more credits at Douglas College and must be a full-time student (9 credits) in either the Fall or Winter semester of the application year.
- Other requirements: Must not have received this award previously. Must demonstrate commitment to global citizenship through studies and community engagement.
Athletic Scholarship (up to $7,000 per year):
- Citizenship: For international student athletes.
- Other requirements: Covers the difference between international and domestic tuition fees. A maximum of 5 recipients are selected each academic year.
Eligible Countries
All Douglas College international scholarships are explicitly open to students from all countries worldwide.
- Africa: All countries
- Asia: All countries
- Americas: All countries
- Europe: All countries
- Middle East: All countries
- Other: All countries and territories
Eligible Fields of Study
These scholarships are open to all fields of study offered at Douglas College. There are no subject-specific restrictions. Whether you are studying business, arts, sciences, healthcare, technology, or any other program at Douglas College, you are eligible to be considered for these awards.
Note: For the Global Citizenship Dean Award, students who have taken globally-focused courses (such as Global Citizenship Certificate eligible courses), participated in study abroad programs, or engaged in intercultural work-integrated learning experiences will have a stronger application. However, these are not strict field-of-study restrictions.
Benefits
Here is a breakdown of what each award offers:
- Douglas International Education Regional Entrance Award: A one-time award of $1,000 to $2,000 applied toward your studies at Douglas College. No separate application required.
- Dr. Guangwei Ouyang International Education Entrance Scholarship: A one-time entrance scholarship worth $2,500. Requires a separate application.
- International Returning Student Scholarship: Awarded once during your studies to continuing international students with strong academic records.
- Global Citizenship Dean Award: Worth $1,500 per recipient. One award is given per faculty, meaning up to six students across the college can receive this each year.
- Athletic Scholarship: Worth up to $7,000 per academic year, split equally between the Fall and Winter semesters. Covers the difference between international and domestic tuition fees. Maximum of 5 recipients per year.
- International Outbound Mobility Bursary: Additional funding available for continuing students participating in approved international mobility programs.
- Tuition fees: Not fully covered by these scholarships, but Douglas College notes it has some of the most affordable international tuition fees in Canada.
- Travel costs: Not covered unless you are applying for the outbound mobility bursary.
Required Documents
The documents required differ depending on the scholarship. Here is a general overview:
For the Douglas International Education Regional Entrance Award:
- No separate documents required. You are automatically assessed when you apply to Douglas College.
For the Dr. Guangwei Ouyang International Education Entrance Scholarship:
- Completed entrance scholarship application form (PDF available from Douglas International).
- Supporting documents submitted alongside the form
- Proof of application to Douglas College.
For the Global Citizenship Dean Award:
- Completed application form (available via myGlobal portal).
- Two reference letters: one academic reference and one non-academic reference.
- Written statement or evidence demonstrating commitment to community.
- Evidence of a link between your studies and global citizenship (e.g., globally-focused courses, study abroad, intercultural experiences).
For the International Returning Student Scholarship:
- No application required. Eligible students are identified based on their academic record at Douglas College.
How to Apply
The application process varies by scholarship. Follow these steps to cover all your bases:
Step 1: Visit the official Douglas College website and explore all the international scholarships available. Identify which ones you are currently eligible for based on whether you are a new or continuing student.
Step 2: Submit your general application for admission to Douglas College if you have not already done so. Several of these scholarships require you to first be an applicant or enrolled student.
Step 3: For the Douglas International Education Regional Entrance Award, no extra action is needed. Once you apply to Douglas College by the semester deadline, you will automatically be assessed and notified when your offer of admission is sent.
Step 4: For the Dr. Guangwei Ouyang International Education Entrance Scholarship, download the entrance scholarship application form (PDF) from the Douglas International website. Complete it thoroughly, attach all required supporting documents, and email the full package to Douglas International before the relevant semester deadline.
Step 5: If you are a continuing student with a GPA of 3.75 or above and at least 21 letter-grade credits at Douglas College, check whether you qualify for the International Returning Student Scholarship. No application is needed; just maintain your academic performance and the college will notify you if you qualify.
Step 6: For the Global Citizenship Dean Award, access the application through the myGlobal portal on the Douglas College website. Prepare your two reference letters (one academic, one non-academic) and your written statements ahead of time.
Step 7: If you are an international student athlete, contact Douglas College Athletics directly to inquire about the Athletic Scholarship and the application process for the upcoming academic year.
Step 8: If you are interested in the International Outbound Mobility Bursary, reach out to the Douglas College Global Engagement office directly. They will provide details on eligible programs and the funding application process.
Step 9: Track all relevant deadlines carefully and set personal reminders at least two weeks before each deadline. Missing the deadline by even one day means your application will not be considered.
Step 10: After submitting any application, follow up with the relevant department (Douglas International or Global Engagement) to confirm receipt of your materials and ask about the timeline for decisions.
Key Dates and Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
| Application Opens | To be Determined |
| Entrance Award – Summer Deadline | January 31 |
| Entrance Award – Fall Deadline | May 31 |
| Entrance Award – Winter Deadline | September 30 |
| Global Citizenship Dean Award Deadline | To be Determined |
| Athletic Scholarship Deadline | To be Determined |
| Returning Student Scholarship | Automatic – no deadline |
| Notification of Award | Sent with offer of admission (entrance award) |
| Programme Begins | Varies by semester (May, September, January) |
Application Deadline
The entrance scholarship deadlines are as follows:
- Summer semester (May intake): January 31
- Fall semester (September intake): May 31
- Winter semester (January intake): September 30
Applications submitted after these dates will NOT be accepted. Incomplete applications will also not be considered for the Dr. Guangwei Ouyang scholarship.
Selection Criteria
Here is what Douglas College looks for when selecting scholarship recipients:
- Academic excellence: For entrance awards, a B equivalent GPA or higher is the standard benchmark. For the Returning Student Scholarship, a GPA of 3.75 or above at Douglas College is required. For the Dean Award, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required.
- English language proficiency: For the entrance awards, strong proficiency test scores matter. An IELTS score of 7.0 or above (or equivalent) signals readiness and improves your chances.
- Community and global engagement: For the Global Citizenship Dean Award specifically, the committee evaluates your contributions to your community and your demonstrated commitment to global competencies such as intercultural communication, perspective-taking, and critical thinking.
- School and personal development involvement: For the Dr. Guangwei Ouyang Scholarship, engagement beyond academics in your school or community is actively considered alongside your grades.
- Athletic ability and potential: For the Athletic Scholarship, your ability to contribute to a Douglas College sports team is the central selection criterion.
- Consistency: For continuing student awards, sustained academic performance across your time at Douglas College is the key signal the college uses.
Important Tips
- Apply to Douglas College before the semester deadline, not just before the scholarship deadline. For the Regional Entrance Award, you must have applied by the official semester application deadline to be assessed. Missing the admissions deadline means missing the scholarship.
- Aim for an IELTS score of 7.0 or above before applying. This is the threshold cited for strong English proficiency in the entrance award criteria. A higher score not only helps your scholarship chances but also strengthens your overall admission application.
- Do not wait for a separate scholarship notification to confirm your interest. For the Ouyang Scholarship, you must actively download the form, fill it in, and email it with your documents. It will not happen automatically.
- For the Global Citizenship Dean Award, start documenting your community involvement and globally-focused experiences as early as possible. When the application opens, you want a clear record to draw from, not a vague memory of things you may have done.
- Prepare your reference letters early. For the Dean Award, you need one academic and one non-academic reference. Give your referees at least four weeks notice so they can write a strong, detailed letter on your behalf.
- Keep your GPA above 3.75 consistently if you are aiming for the Returning Student Scholarship. This award is purely merit-based and automatic, so your grades are the only thing standing between you and the award.
- Contact Global Engagement directly if you are interested in the outbound mobility bursary. This funding is not widely advertised, and the details change regularly. Reaching out personally ensures you get the most current information.
- If you are an athlete, contact Douglas College Athletics as early as possible. Only five Athletic Scholarships are awarded per year, and spots are limited. Early engagement with the athletics department puts you in a better position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply separately for the Regional Entrance Award?
No. This award requires no separate application. Once you apply to Douglas College by the official semester deadline, you are automatically assessed. If you qualify, you will be notified along with your offer of admission.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship at Douglas College at the same time?
Yes, you can be considered for multiple awards. However, each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria and application process. Make sure you meet the requirements for each one you are aiming for.
I am from outside Canada. Are these scholarships still open to me?
Yes. All of the scholarships listed are explicitly open to international students from all countries. Douglas College recruits globally and these awards are specifically designed to support international students.
What GPA do I need to qualify for the entrance awards?
The typical benchmark for the Regional Entrance Award is a B equivalent GPA or above. For the Ouyang Scholarship, academic performance is considered alongside community engagement. For continuing student awards, the Returning Student Scholarship requires a GPA of 3.75 or above at Douglas College.
What is the difference between the Regional Entrance Award and the Ouyang Scholarship?
The Regional Entrance Award ($1,000 to $2,000) is automatic and requires no separate application. The Ouyang Scholarship ($2,500) is larger and requires you to complete and submit a separate application form with supporting documents. Both are for new international students, but the Ouyang Scholarship is more competitive.
Can I receive the International Returning Student Scholarship more than once?
No. This scholarship can only be received once during your entire time at Douglas College.
Where do I go to apply for the Global Citizenship Dean Award?
You apply through the myGlobal portal on the Douglas College website. You can also contact the Global Engagement office directly for guidance on the application process and deadlines.
Does Douglas College offer any funding for students who want to study abroad or go on exchange?
Yes. The International Outbound Mobility Bursary is available for both international and domestic continuing students who want to participate in an approved international mobility program. Contact the Douglas College Global Engagement office for current details and how to apply.
Official Link
For full details and to begin your application, visit the official Douglas College international scholarships page:
https://www.douglascollege.ca/future-students/international-students/scholarships-and-awards
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