Entrance Awards

Entrance Awards

Shawnigan Lake School offers a select number of merit-based Entrance Awards to new boarding and day students each year.

Please consult with the Admissions Team before applying for an Entrance Award. We would be happy to guide you through the options to select the most suitable award. To ensure a fair and equitable opportunity for applicants, you may only apply for one Entrance Award.
 
All students: new and returning students (boarding and day) are eligible to apply for needs-based financial assistance through our Founder’s Aid Fund which awards over $3,000,000 annually.
 
Submissions for 2025-2026 Entrance Award applicants will open in the late fall of 2024. Thank you.

How to apply for a Shawnigan Entrance Award

List of 5 items.

  • Step 1 – Review Criteria

    Read the criteria for the Entrance Award for which you are applying and confirm that you are eligible to apply.

  • Step 2 – Apply for Admission

    Complete an admissions application and submit all supporting documents.

  • Step 3 – Submit Entrance Award Application

    Complete an online Entrance Award application in conjunction with a successful acceptance to the School.

  • Step 4 – Review

    Entrance Award applications will be reviewed by the Headmaster, Executive Director of Admissions and the Founder’s Committee, after a student has been accepted to Shawnigan Lake School.

  • Step 5 – Outcome

    Confirmation will be sent directly to the student indicating the outcome of their Entrance Award application.

FAQ

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

  • How are decisions made?

    Decisions are made based on a student’s personal statement and information that has been included in a student’s admissions application, including: school reports, character references and student interview.

  • Can I apply for more than one Entrance Award?

    No. To ensure a fair and equitable opportunity for applicants, you may only apply for one Entrance Award. Review the award criteria carefully to apply for the appropriate award. If you are unsure which award to apply for, please reach out to our Admissions Team for advice on which award is most suitable.

  • Are sport-specific awards available?

    Shawnigan Lake School does not offer any sports awards. Merit-awards for new students are based on our well-rounded admissions criteria and designed to acknowledge outstanding applicants who will contribute as leaders within our community. Shawnigan Lake School defines leadership as those contributing to their community for the benefit of others.

  • What are the values of your Entrance Awards?

    The majority of our Entrance Awards are valued between $1,000-$5,000. Successful recipients will have the awarded amount applied to their first year's tuition. Some of our awards exceed $5,000; therefore, please read the specific award overview provided below.

Award Opportunities

Indigenous People of Canada Leadership Award

The Admissions Department and Founder’s Committee are pleased to offer awards to be given to mission-appropriate students who identify as a member of the Indigenous People of Canada, that is First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

  • What are Indigenous People of Canada Leadership Awards?

    Award recipients are grounded in the culture and traditions of their ancestors, and embrace the opportunity to act as a role-model. They help educate and strengthen Shawnigan’s relationships with the Indigenous community and empower and support other Indigenous students on campus.

  • Who is eligible to apply for these awards?

    These awards are open to applicants to Shawnigan Lake School who identify as a member of the Indigenous People of Canada, that is First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, and who are students with:
    • strong academic records;
    • demonstrated previous success in Sports, the Arts, Community Service and/or Leadership;
    • demonstrated interests outside the classroom.

  • Does Shawnigan Lake School offer financial aid support?

    Yes. All students are eligible to apply for financial support through our Founder’s Fund, in addition to receiving an Entrance Award.

  • How will you select the award winners?

    Awards will be awarded based on all documentation requested, including:
    • submission of an ONLINE ADMISSION APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • submission of an AWARD APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • completion of an student INTERVIEW with members of the Admissions Department ;
    • completion of a PERSONAL STATEMENT. Select one of our values on the website and tell us a story which illustrates your understanding of this value. Please choose any medium (essay, picture, digital media, etc.) that best captures your experience. Your personal statement will be adjudicated by the Headmaster, Executive Director of Admissions and the Founder’s Committee.

  • What is the deadline to submit an Award Application?

    Award applications are accepted all year and need to be submitted during the admissions process.

Pacific West Coast Leadership Award

The Admissions Department and Founder’s Committee are pleased to offer awards to be given to mission-appropriate students who reside on the West Coast of Canada including Alaska, Oregon, Washington and California.

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

  • What are Pacific West Coast Leadership Award?

    Awards that are valued at attracting students who reside on the West Coast of Canada (and US) region and bring with them a natural appreciation and cultural balance from their local community.

  • Who is eligible to apply for these awards?

    These awards are open to applicants to Shawnigan Lake School who reside on the Pacific West Coast region, including Alaska, Oregon, Washington and California, and students with:

    • strong academic records;
    • demonstrated previous success in Sports, the Arts, Community Service and/or Leadership;
    • demonstrated interests outside the classroom.

  • Does Shawnigan Lake School offer financial aid support?

    Yes. All students are eligible to apply for financial support through our Founder’s Fund, in addition to receiving an Entrance Award.

  • How will you select the award winners?

    Awards will be awarded based on all documentation requested, including:
    • submission of an ONLINE ADMISSION APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • submission of an AWARD APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • completion of an individual INTERVIEW with members of the Admissions Department ; 
    • completion of a PERSONAL STATEMENT. Select one of our values on the website and tell us a story which illustrates your understanding of this value. Please choose any medium (essay, picture, digital media, etc.) that best captures your experience. Your personal statement will be adjudicated by the Headmaster, Executive Director of Admissions and the Founder’s Committee.

  • What is the deadline to submit an Award Application?

    Award applications are accepted all year and need to be submitted during the admissions process.

Residents of Alberta Leadership Award

The Admissions Department and Founder’s Committee are pleased to offer awards to be given to mission-appropriate students who live in the province of Alberta.

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

  • What are Residents of Alberta Leadership Awards?

    Awards that are valued at attracting students who live in the province of Alberta yet wish to experience the West Coast of Canada, during their high school years.

  • Are these awards open to boarding and day students?

    No. These awards are for boarding students only.

  • Who is eligible to apply for these awards?

    These awards are open to applicants to Shawnigan Lake School who reside in Alberta, and students with:
    • strong academic records;
    • demonstrated previous success in Sports, the Arts, Community Service and/or Leadership;
    • demonstrated interests outside the classroom.

  • Does Shawnigan Lake School offer financial aid support?

    Yes. All students are eligible to apply for financial support through our Founder’s Fund, in addition to receiving an Entrance Award.

  • How will you select the award winners?

    Awards will be awarded based on all documentation requested, including:
    • submission of an ONLINE ADMISSION APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • submission of an AWARD APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • completion of an individual INTERVIEW with members of the Admissions Department ;
    • completion of a PERSONAL STATEMENT. Select one of our values on the website and tell us a story which illustrates your understanding of this value. Please choose any medium (essay, picture, digital media, etc.) that best captures your experience. Your personal statement will be adjudicated by the Headmaster, Executive Director of Admissions and the Founder’s Committee.

  • What is the deadline to submit an Award Application?

    Award applications are accepted all year and need to be submitted during the admissions process. 

Himalayan Leadership Award

Effective January 2020, the Admissions Department and Founder’s Committee of Shawnigan Lake School are pleased to announce the creation of the Himalayan Leadership Award to be given to mission-appropriate students who are natural-born citizens of the Himalayas.

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

  • What are Himalayan Leadership Awards?

    Awards that are given to Grade 11 or 12 students who are natural-born citizens of the Himalayas.

  • What do these awards include?

    They include annual return-airfare, tuition, room and board, various school uniforms, and access to funds for all school-sponsored co-curricular activities and trips.

  • Who is eligible to apply for these awards?

    These awards are open to boarding-applicants to Shawnigan Lake School who are natural-born citizens of Himalayas and who are students with:
    • strong academic record;
    • strong written and oral command of the English language;
    • a commitment to Shawnigan’s Core Values;
    • demonstrated previous success in sports, arts, community service and/or leadership;
    • demonstrated interests outside of the classroom;
    • demonstrated financial need, assessed by the Founder’s Committee.

  • Are these awards renewable?

    Yes. These are offered on an annual basis (Grades 11 and 12) as long as the student remains an active member of the Shawnigan Lake School Community.

  • How will you select the award winners?

    Awards will be awarded based on all documentation requested, including:
    • submission of an ONLINE ADMISSION APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • submission of an AWARD APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • completion of an individual INTERVIEW (via Skype) with members of the Admissions Department ;
    • completion of a PERSONAL STATEMENT. Select one of our values on the website and tell us a story which illustrates your understanding of this value. Please choose any medium (essay, picture, digital media, etc.) that best captures your experience. Your personal statement will be adjudicated by the Headmaster, Executive Director of Admissions and the Founder’s Committee.

  • What is the deadline to submit an Award Application?

    Award applications are accepted all year and need to be submitted during the admissions process.

Co-educational Global Leadership Award

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

  • What are Co-educational Global Leadership Awards?

    Co-educational Global Leadership Awards are awarded annually to mission-appropriate students living abroad, who wish to participate in a Canadian Boarding School experience.

  • Are these awards open to boarding students and day students?

    No. These are for boarding students only.

  • Who is eligible to apply for these awards?

    These awards are open to international applicants to Shawnigan Lake School who meet the following requirements:
    • the student is in Grade 8 – 12;
    • the student has a strong academic record;
    • the student has demonstrated previous success in sports, the arts, community service, and/or leadership;
    • the student has demonstrated interests outside of the classroom.

  • Does Shawnigan Lake School offer financial aid support?

    Yes. All students are eligible to apply for financial support through our Founder’s Fund, in addition to receiving an Entrance Award.

  • How will you select the award winners?

    Awards will be awarded based on all documentation requested, including:
    • submission of an ONLINE ADMISSION APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • submission of an AWARD APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • completion of an individual INTERVIEW with members of the Admissions Department ;
    • completion of a PERSONAL STATEMENT. Select one of our values on the website and tell us a story which illustrates your understanding of this value. Please choose any medium (essay, picture, digital media, etc.) that best captures your experience. Your personal statement will be adjudicated by the Headmaster, Executive Director of Admissions and the Founder’s Committee.

  • What is the deadline to submit an Award Application?

    Award applications are accepted all year and need to be submitted during the admissions process.

All-Round Merit Award

Award recipients demonstrate the ability to contribute to the Shawnigan community in exceptional ways, thereby elevating the experience of those around them and enriching the School’s educational experience for all.

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

  • What are All-Round Merit Awards?

    Award recipients demonstrate the ability to contribute to the Shawnigan community in exceptional ways, thereby elevating the experience of those around them and enriching the School’s educational experience for all.

  • Who is eligible to apply for these awards?

    These awards are open to all students, upon entrance, who have been accepted to Shawnigan Lake School, and meet the following criteria:
    • A minimum average of 80% in academic studies;
    • Outstanding performance in at least one co-curricular area;
    • Aptitude or interest in other co-curricular areas, with expressed interest in developing these at Shawnigan;
    • Clear potential and values consistent with the Shawnigan community; 

  • Does Shawnigan Lake School offer financial aid support?

    Yes. All students are eligible to apply for financial support through our Founder’s Fund, in addition to receiving an Entrance Award.

  • How will you select the award winners?

    Awards will be awarded based on all documentation requested, including:
    • submission of an ONLINE ADMISSION APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • submission of an AWARD APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • completion of an individual INTERVIEW with members of the Admissions Department ;
    • completion of a PERSONAL STATEMENT. Select one of our values on the website and tell us a story which illustrates your understanding of this value. Please choose any medium (essay, picture, digital media, etc.) that best captures your experience. Your personal statement will be adjudicated by the Headmaster, Executive Director of Admissions and the Founder’s Committee.

  • What is the deadline to submit an Award Application?

    Award applications are accepted all year and need to be submitted during the admissions process.

Legacy Student Award

The Admissions Department and Founder’s Committee are pleased to offer awards to mission-appropriate Legacy Students who have had a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle who is an alumnus/a of Shawnigan Lake School.
An alumnus/a is defined as “Any person with a prior academic relationship with the School of at least one full school year, including graduates, non-graduates and honorary alumni.”

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

  • What are Legacy Awards?

    Awards are given to mission-appropriate Legacy Students who have had a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle attend Shawnigan Lake School.

  • Who is eligible to apply for these awards?

    These awards are open to applicants to Shawnigan Lake School who have a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle who is an alumnus/a of the school, and who are students with:
    • strong academic records;
    • demonstrated previous success in Sports, the Arts, Community Service and/or Leadership;
    • demonstrated interests outside the classroom.

  • Does Shawnigan Lake School offer Financial Aid support?

    Yes. All students are eligible to apply for financial support through our Founder’s Fund, in addition to receiving an Entrance Award.

  • How will you select the award winners?

    Awards will be awarded based on all documentation requested, including:
    • submission of an ONLINE ADMISSION APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • submission of an AWARD APPLICATION (available on our website);
    • completion of an individual INTERVIEW with members of the Admissions Department ; 
    • completion of a PERSONAL STATEMENT. Select one of our values on the website and tell us a story which illustrates your understanding of this value. Please choose any medium (essay, picture, digital media, etc.) that best captures your experience. Your personal statement will be adjudicated by the Head of School, Executive Director of Admissions and the Founder’s Committee.

  • What is the deadline to submit an award application?

    Award applications are accepted all year and need to be submitted during the admissions process.

Contact Us

Email: financialaid@shawnigan.ca
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
1975 Renfrew Road
Shawnigan Lake, BC V8H 2G7
250-743-5516
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.