TELUS Friendly Future Foundation launches new $50 million TELUS Student Bursary Fund – the largest bursary fund in Canada

Created through a $25 million endowment gift from TELUS plus an additional $25 million in fundraising, the TELUS Student Bursary program will support hundreds of students each year, who are committed to making a difference in their communities, achieve the education they are passionate about realizing

75 per cent of students find it very hard to afford post-secondary education, and nearly 1-in-3 students have considered withdrawing from their studies due to financial difficulty

TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation announced the launch of Canada’s largest bursary fund: the TELUS Student Bursary, supporting students facing financial barriers impacting their ability to enroll or continue their education. Created through a $25 million endowment gift from TELUS, along with an additional $25 million commitment in fundraising from TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, TELUS Student Bursaries are awarded annually to youth between the ages of 17 and 29 who are accepted into, or attending, any undergraduate degree or diploma program at any Canadian college, university or polytechnic institute, enabling youth across the country to access higher education.

“Through the TELUS Student Bursary, we are helping to empower and motivate young people to pursue their dreams, realize their full potential and create a better world,” said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO, TELUS. “Building on the $120 million gift from TELUS to inaugurate the Foundation in 2018, TELUS’ additional endowment to create the largest bursary fund in Canada is a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to ensuring every young person in Canada is able to realize their dreams of a post-secondary education. Together, with TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, our annual bursary program will enable thousands of youth who might lack the means to attend college, university or a technical vocational school. TELUS is committed to ensuring that our next generation of leaders have access to a brighter, more inclusive future, while they are also making a positive difference in their communities around causes that matter most to them.”

While education opens doors to a brighter future, unfortunately not all youth have the resources needed to attend college or university. Recent reports state that 75 per cent of students find it very hard to afford post-secondary education and nearly 1-in-3 students have considered withdrawing from their studies due to financial difficulty. The TELUS Student Bursary program offers bursaries valued at $5K for university students and $3K for college students, helping break down financial barriers and further empowering youth to thrive and reach their full potential.