Indigenous + Scholarships and Bursaries

General

Things you need to know When seeking financial Aid...

Student Financial Aid: Scholarships / Bursaries / Awards / Grants / Loans

Paying for post-secondary can be very expensive and there are few that are able to afford it, so they don’t even apply. Student aide comes in several forms:

Start Winning Scholarships (no repayment required):

Merritt Based is for students that excel in academics and / or athletics.

Needs Based is for students that required financial aid to help fund their education.

Minority Based is for specific groups, such as race, gender, medical history etc.

Specific Based is for students pursuing a specific career such as Nursing (high needs).

University specific Scholarships for student that are highly qualified applicants, academics & personal achievement.

Bursaries (No repayment required)

A bursary is a type of scholarship with the main purpose of providing financial support for students who can’t cover the cost of their education even with the help of their parents.

General – Need to know when applying:

  • There are Federal, Provincial and Local Scholarships and Bursaries.

  • Start looking early! (Grade 10, 11 or 12).

  • Applications can be complex and time consuming.

  • Most applications can be made on-line.

  • Scholarships / bursaries / Awards / Grants are free to apply.

  • There is No repayment required for Scholarships / Bursaries / Awards / Grants EVER!

  • All Scholarships / Bursaries / Awards have “Deadlines” or “closing dates” to apply.

  • Awards generally open in September or October however, you will find many that have open later and close later.

  • The top three scholarship are great examples of early deadlines:

Loran Scholarship – October 13th

TD Leadership – November 15th

Schulich – January 30th

  • All have eligibility requirements that you must meet – Read these first!

  • If you think you qualify, then apply. Don’t limit yourself.

  • You will need a couple of professional references.

  • Most required you to write an essay. Ensure you include unique details about yourself.


General Indigenous + Scholarships

Aboriginal Learning Links
Scholarships/Bursaries

Aboriginal Students.ca
Scholarships/Bursaries

BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC)
Post-Secondary Student Support Program
provides eligible First Nations students with funding to access education opportunities at the post-secondary level, including university and college entrance preparation programs.

Beedie Luminaries
Opens Nov 13 - Deadline Jan 12

First Peoples Cultural Council
The Indigenous Arts Scholarship- up to $20,000 for students in full-time mentorship training and up to $10,000for students enrolled in post-secondary education.

Indigifundapply here
The largest pool of Indigenous Scholarships


Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool
Search by field of study or location

Indigenous World of Choices

Indspire
Video on how to apply
Unique Indspire DEADLINES : February 1, August 1 and November 1.

Integral Group
Indigenous Engineering Student Scholarship & Co-op Opportunity
Deadline extended to Jun 20, 2022

Irving K Barber
Deadline: April 30
for Teachers Education, trades, apprenticeships, diplomas, certificates or undergraduate degrees.

Nelson Scholarship Program
Civic Leadership & Indigenous Student
Deadline: August 1

Ted Rogers Scholarship Fund
Deadline: February 21

Deadline: June 1


Health Sciences

applications will be available in November each year.

$750 & $1500

$1000-$5000



Trades & Technology

  • Scholarships

Animikii Scholarship for Technology

Aboriginal People's Television Network Broadcasting

  • opens in spring each year $5000

Irving K Barber

Student Award opens in MARCH

$1000-$2500

(multi-year) for students pursuing trades training, apprenticeships, diplomas, certificates or undergraduate degrees.

apply 1x for all scholarships/bursaries

Video on how to apply

DEADLINES :February 1, August 1 and November 1.

Ted Rogers Scholarship Fund End Date: February 21 Petro-Canada Award End Date: June 1


Financial Awards



Youth In Care or Former Youth In Care

Youth Educational Assistance Fund

for former youth in care


Need Financial Aid?The Youth Futures Education Fund provides living expenses to youth who have aged out of the foster care system and are attending a post-secondary institution on a tuition waiver. Find out if you’re eligible for Youth Futures support.


Aged Out

The TELUS Mobility for Good program (M4G) is a partnership between MCFD, TELUS and the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada.





Be sure to visit the individual university tabs for each university's entrance and other scholarships.


GET A REFERENCE LETTER... or two

Scholarship and Bursary application preparedness.

Be prepared for scholarship applications by asking someone who knows you to write a reference letter for you. Provide them with a resume that outlines your involvement in your school community through the Indigenous program at school, clubs or teams, in the community through volunteering and any work experience that you have.