RBC helps with costs for school

Page 2

RBC Financial Group has awarded five students with scholarships through its Aboriginal Student Awards Program, including Jessica White Cow of Pincher Creek. The annual scholarship provides $4,000 for a maximum of four years at university, or for two years at community college.

"At RBC, we believe that receiving a formal education is just the beginning of a lifetime of learning and opportunity," said Charles Coffey, RBC's executive vice-president of Government Affairs and Business Development. "It is our hope that our contribution will encourage and help these students to achieve their dreams and to lead happy and productive lives."

White Cow is completing her Business Administration Program at Lethbridge Community College and plans to pursue an accounting major at the Univeristy of Lethbridge. She is a member of the Piikani Nation of the Blackfoot confederacy.

In addition to the scholarship, recipients of the award who are interested in pursuing careers in the financial services industry are considered for summer and post-graduate employment opportunities with RBC.

To date, 69 scholarships totaling $834,000 have been awarded to Aboriginal people in Canada. Selections are made by an independent committee of academics from the Aboriginal community and are based on personal and academic achievements as well as individual financial need.

Other award recipients are Carole Tessier of Sudbury, Ont., Brittney Francis of Dartmouth, N.S., Harvey Richard of The Pas, Man. and Peter Eppinga of Mission, B.C.