Rankin students earn $3,000 bursaries
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Jan 05/01) - Talk about a great Christmas present.
Santa Claus brought along something a little extra for two students in the jewelry and metalworking class at Nunavut Arctic College's Kivalliq campus in Rankin Inlet.
Edward Kabluitok and Paul Aupilardjuk will each receive a $3,000 bursary from the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation for the 2000-2001 academic year.
Created by the Government of Canada, the foundation's bursaries are granted to post-secondary students with the greatest financial need.
Need assessments are based on information supplied by the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) office of the Nunavut Department of Education.
Course instructor Claude Roussel says the bursaries are greatly appreciated by his students.
"Just the awarding of the bursaries in itself creates a really positive atmosphere in the classroom," says Roussel.
"It's a big step for many of our students to return to the classroom and the bursaries -- in addition to being a financial boost -- are somewhat of an affirmation of their efforts.
"It's nice to see them being helped financially to attain their goals."
Aupilardjuk and Kabluitok will receive the money in March.
Aupilardjuk, who is pleased to be getting the money, isn't running out to spend it just yet.
"I guess you could say I'll believe it when I see it (the money)," Aupilardjuk says with a hearty laugh.
"I applied for the bursary last year, but I was told I had to be a second-year student, so I'm pleased they came through with the bursary for me this year. Once the money arrives, I'm planning to put it towards a new Honda ATV so I can get around better with my crafts and jewellery."
