Ford graduated from Kwalikum Secondary School last June knowing she wanted to study engineering. But instead of heading straight to UVic, she opted to take first-year courses close to home.
“I applied to UVic through NIC which made me eligible for entrance scholarships from both,” she said. “I’m so thankful because it allows me to focus my energy on my courses and ensures I’m well-prepared when I start UVic next year.”
Ford received a $2,500 entrance scholarship from the NIC Foundation this fall; another $26,000 will be waiting for her when she starts her studies at UVic.
Her full-time course load includes calculus, matrix algebra, physics, English and computer science – the same material many of her engineering friends are taking at university.
But while her friends are balancing student life with the responsibilities of living on their own for the first time, Ford’s parents are helping with cooking, laundry and daily necessities.
Ford can also expect to save approximately $10,000 in tuition and living expenses during her first year.
“Staying at home for one more year takes off the pressure of all the things that come with moving away so I can focus on school because there’s a lot to do,” she said.
Ford also appreciates NIC’s smaller class sizes and access to faculty.
“All the professors know who I am, so I feel more comfortable asking them questions,” she said. “They explain things in a way I understand and it’s easy to get help when I need it. I really like their style of teaching.”
Since 2011, NIC’s UVic Dual Admission agreement has given 155 local students the opportunity to secure their seat at UVic while they are still in high school. Students take up to two years of classes at NIC, develop university level research and skills, while paying less tuition and accessing financial awards at both institutions.
The college also offers a separate UVic Guaranteed Admission agreement, which guarantees students admission to UVic based on their grades at NIC, and an Engineering Foundations certificate.
Each year in March, NIC students can apply for scholarships and bursaries through the NIC Foundation, which distributed a record $290,000 to students across the North Island last year.
For more information, or to apply, contact Danielle Hoogland at 250-334-5000 ext. 4102, visit www.nic.bc.ca/university-transfer or see her at her next high school visit in your area.
Media Contact
Christiana Wiens
Media Liaison, North Island College
O. 250-334-5280 | M. 250-218-4097
christiana.wiens@nic.bc.ca
