Indigenous Scholarships, Bursaries

Indspire has disbursed over $54 million through 16,000 bursaries and scholarships to First Nation, Inuit, and Metis students across Canada since 1985. There is one application to completed in order to be considered for a multitude of scholarships & bursaries.

Full and part time studies in college, university, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and technology programs. There is one application for all of Indspire’s bursaries, scholarships, and awards (with a few exceptions that you’ll see below). You only need to complete the application once to be considered for all applicable bursaries, scholarships, and awards. September 2023 to August 2024 academic year.

The RBC Future Launch Scholarships for Indigenous Youth awards 20 scholarships annually worth up to $10,000 (for up to four years) to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students across Canada.

Scholarship recipients will be selected based on their engagement in community, financial need, and likelihood of success in future studies and goals.

Wataynikaneyap Power is offering a two-year bursary and mentorship program throughout 2024 to support grade 12 and post-secondary students from the Project’s owner communities.* Successful applicants receive a $1,000 cash bursary and will be connected with experienced staff at Wataynikaneyap Power (PM) for mentorship. Students will also be introduced to the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project and energy sector careers throughout the school year. The bursary for students from the Projects’ 24 First Nation owner communities with an academic focus on or interest in: Environmental Management, Health and Safety, Finance, Human Resources, Business, Project Management, or Engineering. Bursary funding is split into payments and is based on reasonable communication with a mentor and academic standing.

*Applications are being accepted from members of the following First Nations: Bearskin Lake, Cat Lake, Deer Lake, Kasabonika Lake, Keewaywin, Kingfisher Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Lac des Mille Lacs, Lac Seul, McDowell Lake, Mishkeegogamang, Muskrat Dam, North Caribou Lake, North Spirit Lake, Ojibway Nation of Saugeen, Pikangikum, Poplar Hill, Sachigo Lake, Sandy Lake, Slate Falls, Wabigoon Lake, Wapekeka, Wawakapewin, and Wunnumin Lake.

The intention of the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation bursary program is to support applicants who clearly demonstrate financial need. Bursary funds do not have to be repaid.

The Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation bursary program application will be available four times a year; March 1st, June 1st, September 1st and December 1st.

The Shannen’s Dream Scholarship is an award to assist First Nations youth with post-secondary education costs (university, college, trades). As a “pay-it-forward” scholarship, winners must make a fair and measurable contribution to the Shannen’s Dream campaign or related First Nations initiative as a condition of receiving the award. Examples of this could include coaching youth sports, doing a presentation about Shannen Koostachin and Shannen’s Dream, starting a club at your school to learn more about equity, etc.

Pay-it-forward does not mean a financial contribution back to the scholarship.

The Shannen’s Dream Scholarship is made possible by generous donations from the Collure family from Richmond Hill, Ontario, and education technology company Top Hat. With the support of these amazing donors, we are delighted to announce that four $10,000 scholarships are available to assist First Nations youth with post-secondary education costs this year.

We are delighted to announce that two $5,000 scholarships and two $2,500 scholarships are available to assist First Nations students with post-secondary education costs this year.

Named in loving memory of Jordan River Anderson, the Jordan's Principle Scholarship will be awarded to First Nations students studying children’s holistic health and wellbeing.

To help achieve its mission of transforming the health of Anishinabe people and communities across Kiiwetinoong, SLFNHA is striving to increase representation of People of First Nations ancestry working in the field of health care.

The SLFNHA Bursary Program is designed to support First Nations individuals with their journey towards improving the outcomes of First Nations people and communities through the attainment of post secondary education.

TC Energy is proud to help build strong communities, develop the next generation of community leaders and provide a skilled workforce for our industry.

Five (5) scholarships in the amount of $1,500.00 each will be awarded to Anishinabek First Nation students at the post-secondary level. Eligibility: Applicant must be a registered full-time student at an accredited post-secondary college or university. Students who are currently enrolled as well as those who have completed studies and are graduating in 2022 are eligible. Applicant must be a registered member of one of the 39 Anishinabek First Nations.

This annual bursary is intended to cover the fees associated with applying for Canadian graduate programs in genetic counselling, for Canadian citizens who self-identify as First Nations, Metis and Inuit. It is available on an annual basis and eligible students must apply by May 31 of the same year of application.

There is up to $3000 available annually and funding will be awarded in the order in which applications are received.

The Rick & Amanda Hansen Scholarship for Youth with Disabilities, funded generously by the April 1 Foundation, provides financial support to Canadian youth with disabilities to pursue post-secondary education and realize their full potential. This scholarship aims to make a profound impact on the lives of Canadian youth with disabilities by removing financial barriers and supporting career aspirations through post-secondary education. Funding of up to $10,000 per year (up to a maximum of $40,000) is available for youth with disabilities looking to complete a 1- to 4-year post-secondary program at a publicly funded institution in Canada.

Funds are available to First Nation and Métis individuals, governments and organizations through a competitive application process specific to groups and/or individuals. The NIB Trust Fund offers a new opportunity separate from Indian residential schools compensation packages.

Only one application per sector per fiscal year (April 1 - March 31) in the Health Sector and the Arts & Culture sector, and education sector.

The main focus of this sector is on educational activities to support and encourage youth to pursue and complete their education with the goal of developing our youth as future leaders of our communities. We view education as the primary responsibility of the federal government and/or Chief and Council and provide limited assistance under unique circumstances.

The Live Your Dream Awards offers three levels of cash awards. Eligible applicants can submit their application between August 1 - November 15. Ultimately, a Live Your Dream Awards finalist has the potential to receive up to $16,000 to help offset tuition costs, purchase books, get transportation, or find reliable childcare so she can worry less about how to pay her bills and focus on reaching her dreams.

The NWAC ISET program helps Indigenous women and gender-diverse individuals to fully participate in economic opportunities. Through NWAC’s agreement with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) we are able to provide supports such as tuition, living allowance, childcare, job starts and other resources that can help Indigenous women reach their employment and skills training goals. Client Eligibility; Post-secondary funding for certificate or diploma programs up to 2 years or in the last two years of a degree program.

The Helen Bassett Commemorative Award to four young Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, or gender-diverse students in the amount of $1,000 each. The awards are made possible by the generous donation of Helen Bassett, an Ontario artist and passionate advocate for the advancement of Indigenous women and for fair solutions to Indigenous land claim issues. Applicants must: Be currently pursuing post-secondary studies (priority is given to students who are studying law or are in a law-related field) Demonstrate financial need. Be an Indigenous woman, gender-diverse, or Two-Spirit person under 31 years of age. Demonstrate a commitment to improving the situation of Indigenous women and youth in Canada politically, culturally, economically, or otherwise

The Bill 7 Award is a scholarship for individuals with demonstrated financial need after accessing available public financial supports. To be eligible to receive a Bill 7 Award scholarship, individuals must also meet ALL of the following three criteria: You are attending or accepted by a Post-Secondary Educational Institution in the Province of Ontario. You are pursuing your FIRST post-secondary program of study. You identify as lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, two-spirited or queer (LGBTQ)

Our Indigenous Education Awards Program supports First Nation, Inuit and Métis students across Canada by providing financial assistance to help them in their quest for higher education. These awards, bursaries and scholarships are given to students who demonstrate leadership capabilities and strive to be role models in their schools and communities. There are three different awards available: Merit Awards ($500) – for students completing Grades 10 – 12, including upgrading; Bursaries ($1,000) – for students enrolled in trade, diploma or certificate programs; Scholarships ($1,500) – for students enrolled in degree or graduate programs. There is a maximum of one award per applicant per year. Students must re-apply each year if they wish to be considered.

This scholarship is open to Indigenous students who are residents of Canada or the United States of America and are currently enrolled in a Canadian or U.S post-secondary institution in any area of study. You must be between 18 and 30 years of age. The scholarship is $2,500 CAD. The money will be sent directly to you. This way, you may use the funds towards your school supplies, boarding or tuition.