Post Secondary Planning
Aboriginal Post Secondary Information Program
The Aboriginal Post-Secondary Information Program (APSIP) is a collective of recruitment representatives from Colleges, Universities, and Indigenous learning institutes in Ontario and Quebec.
Connect with their Indigenous representatives to learn how they can support you throughout your post-secondary journey. Explore the many programs and pathways to reach your career aspirations and find the program that’s right for you.
Mentorship Opportunities for Current High School Students
Rivers to Success (by Indispire)
Indigenous students in grades ten to twelve, who are looking for great support on their academic journey can access dynamic online resources including study tips, free tutoring, health & wellness advice to cultural videos, helping them stay connected to their culture while they work towards graduation. They’ll also receive group mentorship from carefully-screened Indigenous role models, including Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Educators.
Ontario Universities Indigenous Education Departments
Ontario’s universities recognize the need to encourage Indigenous students to participate in postsecondary education, and many offer Indigenous students an additional and/or alternative pathway for admission to an undergraduate or graduate program. Click each university’s link to learn more about their supports for Indigenous applicants.
During the university application process, students can declare your Indigenous ancestry or heritage – First Nation (status or non-status), Inuit or Métis. Declaring your Indigenous ancestry allows the universities you choose to reach out to you with information about supports and resources for Indigenous students.
https://www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca/indigenous-student-resources
Ontario Colleges Indigenous Education Departments
The Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) and Ontario’s public colleges recognize the importance of education in improving the lifelong opportunities for Indigenous people. By self-identifying on your ontariocolleges.ca application, you’re helping us to help the colleges better support you as you make the transition to college life. Click each college’s link to learn more about their supports for Indigenous applicants.
Knowing how many Indigenous students are applying to and / or enrolled at each college helps the colleges help you. These statistics allow them to plan for and deliver programs, services, supports and opportunities that are relevant to Indigenous students.
Ontario Apprenticeships for Indigenous Peoples
The Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario (AABO) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to increasing the number of Aboriginal people in the trades in Ontario.
Apprenticeship is hands-on training for people who enjoy learning by doing and want to work in a skilled trade. About 90% of apprenticeship training is provided on the job under the supervision of a qualified journeyperson. The remainder involves classroom theory, usually given at a local community college or provided by another approved training organization.
Apprentices are paid while gaining work experience and their wages increase with their level of skill. After a period of apprenticeship (three to four years) the apprentice takes a certification examination in which successful completion will lead to Journeyperson status.
The apprenticeship model bears similarities to the traditional ways of passing down knowledge and skills in Aboriginal society. Historically, young people were mentored by traditional people or elders in the skills and knowledge associated with their role in the community.
Paying for School
Full and part time studies in college, university, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and technology programs.
There is one application for all of Indspire’s bursaries and scholarships (with a few exceptions that you’ll see below). You only need to complete the application once to be considered for all applicable bursaries and scholarships. September 2023 to August 2024 academic year.
Deadlines: August 1, November 1, February 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
The Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries and Scholarships program is made possible thanks to generous supporters and federal and provincial governments.
