Tuition credit contest

No purchase is necessary to enter or win. Making a purchase or submitting an application fee will not improve your chances of winning. 

The VIU Fest 2026 Tuition Credit Draw (the “Draw”) is run by Vancouver Island University (VIU), 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5. 

The Draw opens at 9 am Pacific time on October 24, 2026 and closes at 11:59 pm Pacific time on October 24, 2026 (the “Draw Period”). VIU’s computer clock is the official timekeeper for the Draw. 

To enter, you must: 

• be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or another person who qualifies for domestic tuition at VIU 
• live in Canada, outside Quebec 
• attend VIU Fest in person at VIU’s Nanaimo campus on October 24, 2026 
• not be registered in a VIU credit course on October 24, 2026, other than the Dual Credit or Career Technical Centre (CTC) courses. 

VIU employees and members of their immediate families (parents, siblings, children and spouses or partners) and anyone living in the same household are not eligible. International students are not eligible for this Draw. 

If you are under the age of majority in your province of residence (19 in BC), you may enter. If selected, you will need a parent or legal guardian to consent and sign the release described in section 8 before you can be confirmed as the winner. 

You can earn up to four entries in total. Each entry method below can be used once per person. 

• Main entry (one entry): complete the official entry form at VIU Fest on October 24, 2026. Entry forms are available on site and through the QR code posted at the event. You must provide your first name, last name, email address and phone number. 
• Pop-up classroom bonus (one additional entry): attend a pop-up classroom session at VIU Fest and use the QR code posted in the classroom and enter your name, email address and phone number on the online form. 
• Application bonus (one additional entry): submit an application for admission to VIU at VIU Fest on October 24, 2026. You can earn this bonus entry only once, whichever method you use. VIU waives the application fee for applications submitted at VIU Fest. 
• Visit the Future Student Lounge, scan the QR code posted and enter yourname, email address and phone number on the online form. 

You must complete the main entry to be eligible for either bonus entry. Incomplete entries, entries that do not follow these rules and entries made using automated or scripted methods will be disqualified. VIU is not responsible for entries that are lost, late, incomplete or misdirected, or for technical problems that affect entry. 

One prize package will be awarded. It includes a VIU tuition credit equal to the winner’s VIU tuition fees, to a maximum value of $7,500 (the “Tuition Credit”), and a $2,500 VIU Food Services voucher (the “Food Voucher”). Together, the Tuition Credit and Food Voucher are the “Prize”. The approximate value of the Prize is up to $10,000. The actual value of the Tuition Credit depends on the program and course load the winner chooses. 

The Tuition Credit: 

• must first be applied to tuition for studies beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year at VIU 
• can be applied to tuition in later consecutive semesters, until the end of the Summer Session 2029, if the full amount is not used in the 2027-2028 academic year at VIU 
• expires after the Summer Session 2029, and any unused amount is forfeited 
• covers tuition only and does not cover application fees, student union fees, ancillary or course fees, books, supplies, housing or any other costs 
• has no cash value, cannot be transferred and cannot be exchanged 
• cannot be applied to past tuition balances and will not create a credit balance or refund on the winner’s account 
• cannot be combined with any other VIU tuition reduction or waiver program (scholarships, awards and bursaries are not affected) 

The Food Voucher: 

• can be used at VIU Food Services locations on all VIU campuses 
• will be loaded onto the winner’s VIU student card attached to the VIU Food Fundonce the winner’s registration for the 2027-2028 academic year at VIU is confirmed 
• expires after the Summer Session 2029, and any unused balance is forfeited 
• has no cash value, cannot be transferred or exchanged, and will not be replaced if lost or stolen 

The winner is responsible for any taxes that may apply to the Prize. VIU will issue any tax slips required by law. 

The odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received during the Draw Period. 

On November 13, 2026, at VIU’s Nanaimo campus, a VIU employee will randomly select one entry from all eligible entries received. A second VIU employee who is not involved in running the Draw will witness the selection. 

VIU will try to reach the selected entrant by phone or email within five business days of the draw. The selected entrant must respond within 10 business days of the first contact attempt. If VIU cannot reach the selected entrant, or if the selected entrant does not respond, is found to be ineligible or does not meet the conditions in section 8, VIU will select another eligible entry at random. This process will repeat until a winner is confirmed or three alternate selections have been made. 

Before being confirmed as the winner, the selected entrant must: 

• correctly answer a time-limited mathematical skill-testing question without help, by phone, video call or in writing 
• sign and return a declaration and release form within 10 business days of receiving it 

The declaration and release confirms the entrant is eligible and has followed these rules. It releases VIU and its employees, board members and agents from liability connected to the Draw or the Prize. It also gives VIU permission to use the winner’s name, city of residence, photograph and a short statement to announce the Draw results and promote VIU Fest, without additional payment. If the selected entrant is under the age of majority in their province of residence, a parent or legal guardian must also sign the form. 

To receive the Prize, the winner must: 

• apply to VIU and be admitted to a program or to studies that begin in the 2027-2028 academic year at VIU 
• register in at least one VIU credit course that begins in the 2027-2028 academic year at VIU by March 30, 2028

The winner must meet VIU’s standard admission requirements. Winning the Draw does not guarantee admission to any program. A winner who is not admitted to their first-choice program may apply to other programs that begin in the 2027-2028 academic year at VIU. 

VIU will apply the Tuition Credit to the winner’s student account and issue the Food Voucher once registration is confirmed. If the winner is not admitted and registered by the deadline above, or defers admission to a semester after the 2027-2028 academic year at VIU, the full Prize, including the Food Voucher, is forfeited and no alternate winner will be selected.  

• By entering, you agree to follow these rules and VIU’s decisions, which are final on all matters related to the Draw. 
• VIU may disqualify anyone who tampers with the entry process, provides false information or acts in a way that is unfair to other entrants. 
• VIU may cancel, suspend or change the Draw if fraud, a technical failure or any other factor beyond its reasonable control affects the fairness or integrity of the Draw. 
• If there is any difference between these rules and any advertising or promotional materials, these rules apply. 
• The Draw is governed by the laws of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada that apply there. 

VIU collects personal information for the Draw under section 26(c) of the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). VIU will use it to run the Draw, confirm eligibility, contact and confirm the winner and announce the Draw results. It may be stored by VIU’s service providers, including outside Canada, as permitted under FIPPA. 

The entry form includes an optional checkbox to receive emails from VIU about programs, events and admissions. You do not need to check this box to enter the Draw. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email. 

If you have questions about how VIU collects or uses your personal information for this Draw, contact the VIU Privacy office, Vancouver Island University, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5, privacy.officer@viu.ca