April 13, 2007 | PDF
Have a mental illness and thinking of higher education? The Lorne Fraser Educational Fund may be able to help. April 25th Deadline
April is a time for university/college students to stress over final exams and look forward to a semester break. But at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), for many adults with a mental illness, this month is the time to look forward to returning to higher education as April 25th marks the application deadline for the Lorne Fraser Educational Fund.
The Lorne Fraser Educational Fund, administered by the CMHA’s BC Division, awards bursaries to British Columbians with a mental illness to help further their pursuit of post-secondary education. Around nine bursaries, most for $600, and one for $1000, are drawn from the annual interest of the fund and go directly to cover tuition and textbook/materials costs at the post-secondary institute chosen by the successeful candidates. Winners are chosen and notified during the summer months, and personally acknowledged by the founder of the fund, Lorne Douglas Fraser, at the CMHA BC Division’s Annual General Meeting in September.
"Lorne Fraser is a remarkable champion for the mental health movement," says Bev Gutray, Executive Director of CMHA BC Division. "He has lived with bipolar disorder for many years and has seen first-hand the challenges people with mental illness have in improving their quality of life by following their education and employment dreams. Lorne started this fund with money from his own pocket back in 1982 and continues to be a driving force in the growth of this fund so that even more people can pursue higher education."
Residents must be 19 years of age, living in BC, receiving therapeutic support for a mental disorder, and not receiving other significant financial support. For more details, download the application at www.cmha.bc.ca or request a mailed copy by contacting 1-800-555-8222 extension 100.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the creation of this special fund, during which time nearly 100 British Columbians have been supported to pursue their educational dreams.
SIDEBAR=====
Some of the varied programs Lorne Fraser Fund winners from the past 2 years have pursued:
- Human Resource Worker Diploma Program
- Fine Arts Diploma Program
- Community and Classroom Assistance Program
- Microcomputer Application course
- Equivalent Arts Degree Program
- Humanities Diploma Program
- Hairdressing and Aesthetics
- Medical lab assistant course
- TEFL Certificate Program
- PC Repair Course
- Upholstery Cleaning Technician
- Special Education Teacher's Assistant course
- Civil Engineering Technology Diploma
- Professional Development Program, Bachelor of Education
- Recreation Diploma Program
- Comprehensive Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Program
- Bachelor of Social Work, Distance Education Program
Media contact
Sarah Hamid-Balma
Communications Director
604-688-3234 or 1-800-555-8222 ext. 225
Lorne Fraser and Bev Gutray are available for interviews. Lorne Fraser is from Surrey.
