The Emergency Medical Assistant Education Fund Awards were generously funded by the Emergency and Health Services Commission for the purpose of supporting the education of Emergency Medical Assistants (EMAs) in British Columbia. This fund provides awards to students enrolled in institutions in the province of BC for EMA programs that have been approved by the EMA Licensing Board.
Currently, there is a severe shortage of paramedics working in the public sector in rural, northern and remote areas of British Columbia. The EMA awards help support paramedic students in obtaining their Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) or Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) licenses and increase the number of PCP-licensed paramedics living and working in rural or remote areas of British Columbia as well as the number of ACP-licensed paramedics in all of British Columbia.
Value
- Approximately 30 awards of $22,000 each are available annually for students in an Advanced Care Paramedic Program (ACP).
- Approximately 50 awards of $6,000 each are available annually for students in a Primary Care Paramedic Program (PCP).
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrolled in a full or part-time Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA) program in British Columbia that is approved by the BC EMA Licensing Board.
- The school must be a qualified donee, as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency, for the purpose of supporting the education of Emergency Medical Assistants in BC.
- Preferential consideration will be given to employees of BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) who are currently working in the public sector in rural, remote, and northern BC.
- ACP applicants must be employees of BCEHS.
- Proof of participation in student and/or community activities.
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons.
- Currently residing in British Columbia and have lived in BC for at least the past 12 months.
- Documented financial need by completing an application form and signing a declaration.
- Applicants who have received the EMA Education Fund Award for PCP and were required to withdraw/exit are ineligible to re-apply for the award for retaking that program. Applicants who have received the award for ACP and were required to withdraw/exit will only be eligible for the amount not awarded during the first attempt at the program
- May be required to submit additional documentation to verify financial need.
Application Deadlines
EMA Education Fund Award – PCP Program
- The application period opens on January 1. Application deadline February 27. Applicants notified March 31.
- The application period opens on May 1. Application deadline June 30. Applicants notified July 31.
- The application period opens on September 1. Application deadline October 30. Applicants notified November 30.
EMA Education Fund Award – ACP Program
- The application period opens on May 1. Application deadline June 30. Applicants notified July 31.
- Please note that ACP applications will be adjudicated only once a year for the September start date.
Application Process
Download the application in PDF format.
Email completed applications to Financial Aid or mail to:
Financial Aid and Awards
Justice Institute of British Columbia
715 McBride Boulevard
New Westminster BC V3L 5T4