Indigenous Students Scholarships

Purpose: 

To encourage Aboriginal Canadians to pursue a career in journalism through a combination of studies at a Canadian postsecondary institution and experience in a newsroom.

The Award: 

A gift of $4,000, intended to defray education costs. Scholarship recipients with appropriate experience and qualifications may also receive an offer of temporary employment or other opportunities at The Canadian Press, at the sole direction of the scholarship provider.

Eligibility: 

To be awarded to an Aboriginal Canadian (status or non-status Indian, Metis or Inuit) who is enrolled at a Canadian university or community college. The student must already be attending the postsecondary institution and must be either enrolled in a journalism program or actively involved with a news organization associated with the institution (such as a student newspaper or broadcast station). The scholarship is open to both French and English-speaking aboriginal Canadians.

Application forms and further information can be obtained from:

Marissa D’Mello, Human Resources, The Canadian Press, 36 King Street East, Toronto, ON, M5C 2L9. Phone: 416-5072132 or email: marissa.dmello@thecanadianpress.com.

The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Métis Student Bursary Program provides bursaries to registered students who are verified Métis citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Applicants will be required to consent to a citizenship verification check to confirm eligibility for these awards.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

The Gunn’s Hill Limited Partnership offers bursaries to support Indigenous students in Ontario pursuing post-secondary education or vocational training in the renewable energy sector. This initiative aims to encourage academic and career growth within fields relevant to sustainable energy.

Award Details

A single recipient may receive the full bursary amount of $4,000 CAD, or the funds may be divided among up to four recipients, with a minimum of $1,000 CAD each. The final allocation depends on the number and quality of applications received.

• Open to Indigenous individuals living in Ontario
• Applicants must be enrolled in post-secondary education or vocational training related to renewable energy
• Programs must be relevant to the renewable energy industry (submit program details and proof of registration)
• One completed application form is required
• Applicants must submit a short essay (1–2 pages) describing:
  • How their education or training applies to the renewable energy industry
  • How the bursary will support their education
  • A brief summary of the costs the bursary will help cover

Deadline: August 15, 2025

Applications must be submitted via email to: cvillabroza@prowind.com

Please ensure your letter, fax, or email clearly identifies the subject as: “Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm Educational Bursary for Indigenous Students”.

Download Bursary Summary(opens in new window)

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

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.

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.

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.

The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) Bursary Program is available to status First Nations students who are either entering or continuing post-secondary education. Eligible students must come from one of the 33 SLFNHA-serviced communities and may be enrolled either part-time or full-time.

• Open to status First Nations students from SLFNHA-serviced communities
• Applicants must be entering or enrolled in a post-secondary institution
• Available for both part-time and full-time students
• Required documents:
  • Completed Application Form
  • Completed Media Consent Form
  • Record of Enrollment
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Personal Essay (500–1000 words) describing how you will use education to improve health outcomes for First Nations people and communities

Skyler “Sky” Howard Don Meshake Memorial Bursary

Applicants with outstanding athletic participation and achievement may also apply for the Skyler “Sky” Howard Don Meshake Memorial Bursary. This is a separate recognition under the same bursary program.

• An additional 500-word statement outlining athletic participation and achievement is required.

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.

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

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.