• The Elaine Laurin Award was established in 1995 with funds provided by BGen. Cyrille Laurin and Mrs. Elaine Laurin. The award(s) are given to one or more candidate(s) who uphold the ideals of the Order of St. John and who plan to study in nursing programs with a focus on community health care, gerontology or child and family health.

The Kathleen Gilmour Memorial Award was established in 1982 by Ms. Toni Allen, Mr. Thomas R. Gilmour and Dr. Anne Gilmour-Bryson in memory of their mother, Kathleen Gilmour. The award(s) are given to candidate(s) who demonstrate leadership qualities and above-average commitment to a high standard of nursing. The Margaret MacLaren Memorial Fund was established in 1963. Miss MacLaren held the position of Superintendent-in-Chief, St. John Ambulance in Canada from 1946-1963. This bursary was established in her memory and bears testimony to her distinguished service to St. John. Miss MacLaren was keenly interested in the nursing profession and realized the need for well-educated nurses. This bursary fund is awarded to candidates who demonstrate academic achievement and leadership, are currently active in St. John and who are entering or continuing studies in nursing at the diploma, baccalaureate or graduate levels. Specialization courses of two to three months may also be considered.

The J.A. Albery St. John Ambulance Youth Bursary was created in 1998 by the family of the late James Albery to provide post secondary education funding for youth members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. The award(s) are given to applicants who are currently active in the Brigade, under the age of twenty-one as of 31 July of the year of application, and who have been awarded their Grand Prior’s Badge. Applicants must be entering into, or currently undertaking post secondary school education and express a desire to continue their work within the St. John Ambulance organization. Diploma or degree nursing programs are not eligible under this bursary as they are more appropriately applied for under one of the existing nursing bursaries.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Councils are expected to encourage applications from Brigade and Association members.
• Only forms authorized by National Headquarters are to be used in the application process. The forms are provided to Councils annually and are available upon request from the St. John Council in the member’s province or territory of residence. Photocopies and faximiles of these forms will not be acceptable and will disqualify your application.
• Completed current application forms must be accompanied by all supporting documents and be received by the appropriate Council office by March 15^th.
• Using eligibility criteria, bursary applications should be screened initially by a committee established in each Council. This includes short-listing candidates and prioritizing them in order of importance. Councils are encouraged to use the expertise of the appropriate Provincial Officers in the Brigade (e.g. Nursing, Cadet, and Medical).
• Bursary applications must be received at National Headquarters by April 15^th. Applications received after the closing date may be reviewed at the discretion of the Bursary Committee Chairperson.
• Bursary awards are usually granted for a full-time academic year however part-time studies and courses of shorter duration will be considered.

 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Depending on the availability of funds, financial assistance is available to candidates wishing to pursue studies in Canada on a full or part-time basis. Specialization courses of two to three months will also be considered.
• Applicants must be current members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade or Association.   This does not include individuals successfully completing courses offered by St. John Ambulance; but for individuals who are actual enroled members or employees of St. John Ambulance
• Financial need must be demonstrated.
• Nursing applicants must be eligible for admission to a recognized university or community college in Canada. Youth Bursary applicants must be eligible for admission or currently undertaking post secondary school education.
• Post basic nursing degree applicants must hold a current/active registration, Certificate of Competence or licence and must enclose a copy.
• A completed current application form must be received by March 15th by the applicable St. John Council office. The application must be signed by the Branch Honours and Awards Chairperson or designate.
• Nursing applicants must have two references sent to the provincial Council as soon as they apply. One reference must come from an individual who has known the applicant for the past 5 years and can evaluate their performance and nursing knowledge (if applicable), educational aptitude and leadership potential. A second reference must come from a St. John Ambulance Brigade Officer or Director of Training. References must be received prior to March 15^th for the application to be considered.
• Youth Bursary applicants must have two references sent to the provincial Council as soon as they apply. One reference must come from an individual who has known the applicant and can evaluate their educational aptitude, leadership potential, values and aspirations.
• Confirmation of acceptance into the proposed program of study must be given prior to receiving bursary monies.
• Every applicant must provide an up-to-date transcript of relevant studies.
• The Bursary Award Committee may from time to time adapt the Eligibility Criteria to better fulfil its purpose.

 

CONDITIONS GOVERNING BURSARIES

• Successful candidates are required to apply the entire proceeds of their proposed Bursary to tuition, books, living expenses and travel in connection with their proposed program; advise the Chairperson of any change in program, including withdrawal; submit a progress report to the Chairperson at the end of the school year; and refund a portion of the award, if studies are not completed.
• A bursary recipient will be expected to actively support and promote St. John Ambulance activities in their community.
• If continuing financial assistance is required, following an initial bursary award, nursing applicants should contact their Council for a Continuing Aid Form. The application form must be accompanied by a program transcript, be completed for each year that continuing aid is requested and returned to the Council by March 15^th of any given year.
• Successful Youth Bursary recipients may not apply for continuing aid.

 

ANNUAL APPEAL

• An annual appeal to support the Margaret MacLaren Memorial Fund is undertaken by National Headquarters. Councils are encouraged to promote and support the appeal locally, by publicizing the names of the award winners and any other activities that raise community awareness of the existence of this fund and contributions.