Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts:
The PEI Community Service Bursary rewards high school students for volunteering during Grades 10–12. The bursary is worth $10 per volunteer hour, with a minimum of 30 hours and a maximum of 150 hours — giving a range of $300 to $1,500. It is credited to your post-secondary account in November of your first year. Register early — most students register before they begin volunteering.
The PEI Community Service Bursary recognizes the volunteer contributions of Island high school students and rewards them with funding toward their post-secondary education. By volunteering with registered non-profit organizations during Grades 10 through 12, students earn a bursary that is credited directly to their post-secondary institution account in their first year. It is administered by Student Financial Services within the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Community Service Bursary, you must:
- Be a PEI resident.
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Attend a PEI high school.
- Volunteer with a registered non-profit organization approved for the Community Service Bursary program.
- Accumulate a minimum of 30 volunteer hours between July 1 before Grade 10 and June 30 of the year you graduate from Grade 12.
- Be planning to attend a post-secondary institution.
Bursary Amount
| Volunteer Hours | Bursary Amount |
|---|---|
| 30 hours (minimum) | $300 |
| 75 hours | $750 |
| 150 hours (maximum) | $1,500 |
The bursary is calculated at $10 per volunteer hour. Hours above 150 do not increase the bursary — the maximum is $1,500 for 150 or more hours.
What Volunteer Work Counts?
Volunteer hours must be completed with a registered volunteer organization approved for the CSB program. A full list of registered organizations is available on the PEI Government website. Eligible work must:
- Not be part of academic studies or school-hour activities.
- Not displace paid employees of the organization.
- Not be completed as a trainee or associate of the organization.
Hours for political organizations or for-profit businesses do not count. International Baccalaureate community service requirements do not qualify. Member-only organizations (such as Cadets, churches, or community centres) can only submit hours for activities outside their core business operations.
Pro Tip — Register Early:
Students can register online after completing Grade 9 — most register before they begin their volunteer work. You must also sign a Student/Organization Service Agreement with every organization you plan to volunteer with before logging hours. Organizations (not students or parents) are responsible for reporting hours to the program.
Key Deadlines
Volunteer hours can be accumulated until June 30 of your Grade 12 graduation year. Organizations must submit hours by July 31. Students must submit their Student Information Sheet (including their post-secondary institution and SIN) by September 30 of their graduation year. If all requirements are met, your bursary is credited to your post-secondary institution account in November of your first year of post-secondary study.
If you are not attending post-secondary immediately after graduation, you may hold the bursary for up to one year — contact Student Financial Services at (902) 368-4640 to make arrangements.
The bursary is reported on a T4A tax form. It is sent to the post-secondary institution, not directly to you.
Other Financial Aid Options
The Community Service Bursary is one of several PEI programs for Island students. You may also be eligible for the PEI Student Loan, the PEI Provincial Grant, and the Island Advantage Bursary. Indigenous PEI students should also look into the John J. Sark Memorial Scholarship.
Ready to find a program? Explore eligible schools today.
