First Nations Band Sponsorship
Receiving Band funding for post-secondary education is commonly known as band sponsorship.
The first step in acquiring band funding- contact your band office and request to speak to the Post-Secondary Education Coordinator.
*Search for your band office number and website here.*
Don't have your status card yet, but believe you are eligible? Apply for Status card
"First Nations Bands may be able to sponsor eligible First Nations and Inuit students who are accepted into eligible post-secondary programs through the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) and the University College Entrance Preparation Program (UCEPP).
PSSSP/UCEPP funding is administered by First Nation Bands (or communities) and is commonly referred to as “sponsorship.” Funding for PSSSP/UCEPP comes from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), which develops annual guidelines for program administration.
Many Bands receive requests for funding that exceed the amounts provided by ISC. Bands are required to develop some of their own local policies and processes to administer the funding, including priority selection criteria, rules for deferring applications and an appeal process.
Ask your Band for information about:
eligibility for PSSSP and/or UCEPP Funding
the Band’s application process, and
a copy of their post-secondary policies and processes (may be referred to as Local Operating Guidelines)
The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres provides financial assistance through the Post-Secondary Student Support Program to Northwest Territory or Nunavut Inuit students who have been residing in British Columbia for 12 consecutive months, British Columbia registered members who do not have Band membership or an affiliation with a Band (BC General List) and Status Indian students who are affiliated with a BC First Nation as indicated on Status Card but do not have Band membership."