The Lara D. Austin Financial Foothold Award
"Good financial planning leads to strong, resilient, and more charitable citizens and communities" - Lara Austin
A widely recognized industry benchmark that has become the standard for many positions in financial services. It is a significant step for anyone with career aspirations in the financial services industry, which is why I decided to create the Lara D. Austin Financial foothold Award in early 2017 for Comox Valley students and to promote financial literacy.
I am proud to provide two awards of $1000 each annually.
These awards have been established to encourage and recognize NIC students considering a career in financial planning and portfolio management.
They are available to Comox Valley residents enrolled in any Business Accounting program at NIC. Priority will be given to students who have completed the Canadian Securities Course (www.csi.ca), a key course for many rolls in the financial services industry. Financial need will be considered.
Click here to learn more about the application process and requirements.
STUDENT IMPACT - Below are testimonials from the NIC students who received the Financial Foothold Award. Also, click here to learn more about how Scholarships & Bursaries help our community.
Dear Ms. Austin,
I have always dreamed of a career in finance, particularly in wealth management, investing, financial auditing, and risk advisory. Receiving the Lara D. Austin Financial Foothold Award filled me with immense gratitude. As an international student on an education loan, this award has significantly reduced my financial burden. Managing my expenses in a new country has been challenging, especially as a Type 1 diabetic, where I must allocate funds for my insulin. Your generosity has eased this stress, allowing me to focus on my studies.
Before coming to Canada to pursue my education at North Island College, I worked in the auditing field at Ernst & Young for nearly two and a half years. This role was my first job and was especially challenging as I was hired during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provided me with valuable experience in financial auditing and reinforced my commitment to a career in finance.
Taking a loan to study in Canada has been a significant step for me, and the education I am receiving at North Island College is crucial for achieving my career goals. The curriculum of my program aligns closely with the CPA syllabus, which will be instrumental in preparing me for the CPA designation. This education will not only deepen my understanding of accounting and finance but also enhance my ability to secure my dream job in the finance sector.
I am currently studying Business Administration Post Graduate Certificate – Accounting at North Island College. My educational journey has been deeply fulfilling, especially as I delve into courses related to investing, wealth management, assurance, and auditing. Upon graduation, I aim to work with major Canadian accounting firms such as Deloitte, KPMG, MNP, RSM or PwC, where I can apply my skills and knowledge to contribute to the industry. I am also enthusiastic about pursuing my CPA designation in the future to enhance my professional qualifications and achieve my long-term career goals.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the Lara D. Austin Financial Foothold Award. Your generous support has made a significant impact on my educational journey, alleviating financial stress and allowing me to focus more on my studies and career aspirations. I am deeply appreciative of your kindness and encouragement. This award brings me one step closer to achieving my professional dreams and serves as a powerful reminder of the difference that generous donors like you make in the lives of students. Thank you for believing in me and supporting my future.
Sincerely,
2024 Student Recipient ~ Lara D. Austin Financial Foothold Award
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Dear Ms. Austin,
I want to express my sincerest gratitude for being awarded the Lara D. Austin Financial Foothold Award. I felt very elated and relieved after hearing the good news. This was synonymous with opening a door to new possibilities, giving me renewed energy and focus toward my dreams. Your generosity is a life-changing gift in all ways.
By the completion of my graduate studies, I would be expecting to complete CPA examinations and set up my own business. The idea of being a qualified person in my related industry has always been what keeps me moving forward. Coming into Canada as an international student, this journey wasn't easy, and it shaped me to be someone resilient, dedicated, and committed to making good use of every opportunity. I have grown to realize that choosing North Island College for my higher education is one of the best decisions taken in my academic life.
My education goals are focused on the Accountancy field, particularly in the areas of Management and Financing. Classes like Management Accounting and Taxation have been the most meaningful for me, for the fact that they allow me to go more in depth into subjects that truly interest me. I am a quick learner, a hard worker on my subject, leadership, and a good communicator.
This education means much more to me than the first step toward a career, it is the pathway into a future where I can contribute meaningfully to society and really give something back to people around me who have supported me along the way. For me, your scholarship was the key factor, and today I am very grateful for having believed in my potential.
I would like to say how appreciative I am of this honour. Your kindness has not only eased my financial load but also motivated me to keep aiming high. I'm determined to take advantage of this chance and accomplish the objectives I've set for myself. Thank you again for your support.
Sincerely,
2024 Student Recipient - Lara D. Austin Finacial Foothold Award
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Dear Ms. Austin
I'm grateful for this dream come true and I'm lost for words. My journey to become a wealth manager is about to come true and it's all because someone took a chance on me.
someone has to take a bet and it comes back full circle either way you have to be a student to the course, trust the process and know that stars will align.
I would like to get my wealth management license. My favourite courses are Professional Selling, Financial and Managerial Accounting and my strength is critical thinking and planning, which is essential in wealth management. I would like to work for a wealth management firm.
I would like to close with a quote that embodies who I am and what I believe in " The learners shall inherit the earth and the learned will inherit an earth that ceases to exist" so it's a never ending journey of learning and it surely leads to success going forward.
Sincerely,
2024 Student Recipient ~ Lara D. Austin Financial Foothold Award
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Dear Ms. Austin,
I can't express enough gratitude for this award. Working through a business degree is costly at times and awards like this go a long way. I also work with a physical disability so any contributions that can help with assisting me with school is so much appreciated.
I am in my first year of my Business Administration degree with a goal of an accounting designation. I have always liked math and really enjoy the accounting courses. I hope to one day have my own accounting firm. Since I am already quite familiar with disabilities and tax returns, I hope to help people with disabilities file tax returns and include any and all possible tax deductions.
Before this, I was a nurse. Due to a physical set back, I had to leave the job with much regret. I am glad I have found another passion and I look forward to helping people on a different level. I look forward to taking back some control and doing a job again that I can both enjoy and can be proud of the accomplishment that comes with an accounting degree.
I can't thank you enough for this award. I really want you to know how much this is appreciated and will be put to good use while I continue my hard work. I hope you know just how much these awards help a student, specifically of course, myself. Books, travel costs, course fees, etc., all add up fast and every bit helps. This will go such a long way in paying for those things. Thank you for your kindness and thoughts that went into creating this award. I am a proud recipient.
Sincerely,
2021 Student Recipient
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Dear Ms. Austin,
I would like to sincerely thank you for providing me with the Lara D. Austin Financial Foothold Award being for my Accounting education. Tears of gratitude overcame me when reading the congratulations notification email. I am deeply appreciative for the financial relief your generosity and support has provided me.
I am 29 years old and my partner and I have a now one-and-a-half-year-old son. I decided to further advance my education when my son was eight months old. I obtained my bookkeeping certificate in 2015 and have worked in the office setting for several years. Through work experience, I have become motivated and passionate to pursue obtaining an accounting degree and am now striving for my CPA. I am currently in my first year and attending NIC through online learning.
Due to waitlists for childcare and my partner working away from home, I have not been able to obtain a part-time job. To be honest, I don’t think I would be capable of working part-time, while also being the sole care giver to our son and full-time student. Therefore, it has been extremely financially stressful on both my partner and I while attending college. Your generous award has helped remove the tremendous guilt I have been feeling from not working and has relieved the financial stress for my winter term courses!
I am proud to say that I have successfully passed my first four courses with A’s and with your generosity and support I am able to strive to continue focusing on achieving my academic goals free from financial stress and guilt. Thank you for believing in me and helping me with pursuing my accounting degree! Lastly, thank you for inspiring me to help someone one day the way you have helped me!
Sincerely,
2021 Student Recipient
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Dear Ms. Austin,
Finding out I was selected for this award lifted all of my extra stress surrounding my monetary situation and paying for tuition from my final year. Work has been extremely difficult this year with COVID-19 protocols in place and I am thrilled to know I will have some financial breathing room this year during school. I can’t thank you enough for your support!
I knew right away that business administration with the accounting option was right for me. So far, I have thoroughly enjoyed the finance courses and working with numbers. I'm loving the accounting and taxation courses and putting in the work to truly understand the details. I also enjoy working with people and would love to get a job that allows me to do both. So far, I have not decided on where, specifically, I want to work.
Thank you again for this award and for helping me to accomplish my educational goals. Without your support, my journey with school would have been much more difficult and may not have happened so quickly, and likely would have been far more stressful. Receiving this award makes me feel like all the hard work has been worthwhile and encourages me to continue to do my best. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
2020 Student Recipient
*****
Dear Ms. Austin,
Thank you for this generous award. I was extremely surprised and grateful to be chosen as a recipient of this award. The funds will go towards my tuition for the Bachelor of Business Administration - General Management program at NIC.
I am entering into my second year at NIC. I started right after graduating from Isfeld Secondary in 2019. I enjoyed my management classes, learning how to work with a diverse team.
I began working when I was 16. I've worked at Tim Hortons, Mt. Washington, Quality Foods and now Costco. During this time, I have learned how to balance homework with my work schedule and family commitments. I'm continuing to live at home; however, I’m trying to become more independent with my finances. My education in business will help me achieve my goals in learning about investing and the world of business.
Thank you again for this award. I appreciate the financial support and encouragement to continue following my studies. I am extremely grateful.
Sincerely,
2020 Student Recipient
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Dear Ms. Austin,
I am very grateful and give many thanks to you for providing this award. Your support will help tremendously in my upcoming school year, especially with the uncertain time we live in now of COVID-19.
I am really excited to start and finish the five courses I have left to obtain my Business Administration degree. One is a computer course, which will be very interesting because I find computers to be a bit of a challenge but I'm excited to learn. I would like to find a job after graduating with either Island Health or with the Town of Comox.
When I graduate it will be one of my biggest accomplishments. Both of my parents never went to college and I am so proud to overcome this norm within our family.
Thank you so very much for this award! Words can't express enough how grateful I am. I am excited to be a better role model for my daughter and show her anything is possible.
Sincerely,
2020 Student Recipient
