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    Aid and Scholarships

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    Indspire

    Building Brighter Futures’ funding is awarded to students to use as they wish (tuition, childcare, food, cultural support, shelter, travel, etc.)

    Eligibility criteria:

    • For full and part time studies in college, university, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and technology programs. 
    • Must be a First Nations, Inuit, or Metis student.

    Learn more: https://indspire.ca/for-students/bursaries-scholarships/

    Canada Post Aboriginal Education Incentive Awards

    For Indigenous peoples who have renewed their educational learning. 

    Eligibility criteria: 

    • A member of a First Nation, Metis, or Inuit community.
    • Have been out of school for 1 year or more and are returning.
    • Have already returned to school and completed 1 full year of studies.
    • Have never received this award in the past.

    Learn more: https://www.canadapost.ca/cpc/en/our-company/giving-back-to-our-communities/canada-post-awards-for-indigenous-students.page

    National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund

    The goal of the NIB Trust Fund is to help First Nations, Metis people and communities address the impacts of the Indian Residential School system, and to provide meaningful opportunities that improve their quality of life. 

    Eligibility criteria:  

    • Must be at university, college, trade or training school (Scholarship).
    • Programs which promote the preservation, reclamation, development or understanding of First Nations or Metis history, cultures or languages (Bursaries).
    • Cultural education-traditional, ceremony knowledge building (Award).

    Learn more: https://www.nibtrust.ca/granting/how-to-apply

    New Relationship Trust Foundation

    Successful applicants will be eligible for a maximum of 4 consecutive years of undergraduate post-secondary funding, a maximum of 2 years for the Master’s and Doctorate Level.

    Eligibility criteria:

    • Must be First Nations (status or non-status) member of a British Columbia First Nation Community.
    • Planning to attend an accredited post-secondary institution on a full-time basis anywhere in the world 
    • There are 4 different scholarships available under this: 
      • NRT Foundation Scholarship awards
      • First Nations Health Authority Scholarship awards
      • Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia Scholarships
      • Coastal GasLink Scholarship 

    Learn more: http://www.newrelationshiptrust.ca/funding/for-students/ 

    Irving K Barber

    For students pursuing post-secondary education in BC. All are renewable in order to provide sustained funding over multiple years.

    Eligibility criteria:

    • Must be pursuing post-secondary education in BC.  
    • Must identify as First Nation (status or non-status), Metis, or Inuit. 
    • Must be a full-time student.
    • Your course of study must be no less than two semesters in length.
    • 1000$-2500$ for students pursuing trades training, apprenticeships, diplomas, certificates, or undergraduate degrees.

    Learn more: http://www.ikbbc.ca/aboriginal-awards/about-this-award/  

    BC Hydro Indigenous Scholarships*

    *and many more for those that are getting into the industry see website

    Working to build a bright energy future by supporting future leaders and role models with scholarships. The goal is to support Indigenous people working toward professions relevant to BC Hydro. 

    Eligibility criteria: 

    • Must be pursuing a post-secondary education 
    • Must be a B.C resident 
    • 5,000$ scholarships for full-time degree programs, 2,000$ for trades program or part-time undergraduate program 
    • Randy Brant Scholarship available to the top applicant valued at 8,000$ 

    Learn more: Indigenous scholarships & bursaries 

    First Citizens Fund

    This fund provides financial awards to Indigenous students enrolled in post-secondary education. 

    Eligibility criteria:

    • Post-secondary students who are First Nations, Metis or Inuit (status or non-status) 
    • Permanent residents of B.C. 
    • Minimum GPA of 2.5 or a C+ grade equivalent  

    Learn more: First Citizens Fund – BCAAFC

    Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP)

    Provides eligible F.N. students with funding to access education opportunities at the post-secondary level, including university and college entrance preparation programs.

    Eligibility criteria:

    • First Nation students who are registered “status Indians” 
    • Are affiliated with a BC Band or are on the BC General list 
    • BC F.N. students who do not have band membership and are thus ineligible to apply for funding through their band. 
    • Must be a BC resident. Who has resided in BC for a minimum of 12 consecutive months

    Learn more: Post-Secondary Student Support – BCAAFC

    Health Science Association (HSA) Bursaries for Indigenous students

    Provides two 1500$ bursaries to Indigenous students from BC who are continuing or proceeding in any HSA-related field.

    Eligibility criteria:

    • Must be First Nations, Inuit, or Metis from BC 
    • Must be continuing or proceeding in any HSA-related field leading to a recognized certification, degree or diploma at a public college, university, or other post-secondary educational institution 

    Learn more: 2022 Indigenous Bursary with list&rubric 

    RBC

    The RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Indigenous youth will award 20 scholarships annually valued up to 10,000$ each per year (up to 4 years) to First Nations, Inuit and Metis students across Canada demonstrating strong academic performance and community involvement.

    Eligibility criteria:

    • Must self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Metis), status and non-status.  
    • Permanent resident or citizen of Canada 
    • Applied or currently attending an accredited post-secondary institution in Canada 
    • Maintain a full course load that leads to a recognized degree, certificate or diploma 
    • Shown strong potential to successfully complete the post-secondary program 
    • Require financial assistance to pursue your education 
    • You are not an RBC employee or a dependent of an RBC employee 

    Learn more: RBC Future Launch Indigenous Youth Scholarship 

    Makivik Scholarship Fund

    Makivik would like to encourage capable and motivated students to attain their educational goals. Nunavik’s society and economy benefit greatly from a skilled and educated population.

    Eligibility criteria: 

    • Be an Inuit beneficiary of the JBNQA, and a Canadian citizen 
    • Have been a resident of Nunavik for at least the 10 previous years, unless you have been working outside the territory for an Inuit organization and remain associated with a Nunavik community. 
    • Be enrolled in a MEQ recognized program leading to accreditation at the post-secondary level in a university, Cegep, or technical school. 
    • Be considered a full-time student in your chosen program and maintain this status throughout the semester. 
    • Have maintained an overall average of at least 60% at the University level. 

    Learn more: Scholarship.pdf (makivik.org)

    Shannen’s Dream Scholarship

    This is a 2500$ award to assist First Nations youth in post-secondary education costs. It is a “pay-it-forward” scholarship in which those who receive it are expected to make a fair and measurable contribution to the Shannen’s Dream campaign or related First Nations initiatives as a condition of receiving the award.

    Eligibility criteria: 

    • First Nations youth 30 years old and under 
    • Must be enrolled in post-secondary 
    • A one-time award that’s not renewable  
    • Consideration criteria: recipient contributes to their community and/or demonstrates academic or extra-curricular accomplishments at school 

    Learn more: Shannen’s Dream Scholarship | The Caring Society

    Ch’nook Scholarship

    This program complements post-secondary business education and works to develop leadership skills and business knowledge.

    Eligibility criteria:

    • First Nations (status and non-status), Metis, or Inuit students attending business studies full-time at a post-secondary institution within British Columbia or at the U of C 
    • You must participate in Ch’nook scholar events throughout the academic year to keep receiving the scholarship 
    • Must demonstrate leadership and role model qualities 
    • Demonstrated personal achievements 
    • Interest in business as an academic and/or career path 
    • Contributions to the community  

    Learn more: Ch’nook Scholars Program Scholarship 

    Dr. Jacob Mckay Scholarship

    The Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association has announced the availability of two awards of 2,000$ each will be provided annually.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Open to First Nations, Metis, and Inuit.
    • That will be continuing at a BC post-secondary institution.

    Learn more: Dr. Jacob Mckay Award 

    KPMG’s Indigenous Student Awards

    These awards are administered by Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: bursaries, scholarships and awards program that is available to Indigenous post-secondary students in the pursuit of university or college education across Canada 

    Eligibility criteria: 

    • Open to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis candidates who are attending post-secondary institutions and demonstrate a financial need for educational costs. 
    • Preference will be given students in the following programs: business administration, public administration, accounting, information technology, human resources, communications, and marketing. 
    • Be enrolled in an accredited institution (university or college) 

    Learn more: KPMG’s Indigenous Student Awards – KPMG Canada

    Chief Joe Mathias British Columbia Aboriginal Scholarship Fund

    This scholarship is a registered charity established in memory of the late Chief Joe Mathias to support his vision of post-secondary education for all First Nation person. The goal is t0 advance education by providing educational scholarships to deserving students who are in financial need and who demonstrate merit. 

    Eligibility criteria: 

    • Available to members or citizens of a BC First Nations band. 
    • Enrolled at an eligible post-secondary education institution 
    • Are in financial need and demonstrate merit 

    Learn more: Chief Joe Mathias British Columbia Aboriginal Scholarship Fund 

    Helen Bassett Commemorative Student Award

    This award is handed out to four young Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, or gender-diverse students in the amount of 1,000$ each. 

    Eligibility criteria: 

    • Must be currently pursuing post-secondary studies (priority is given to students who are studying in 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 

    Learn more: https://www.nwac.ca/resource/helen-bassett-commemorative-student-award-2019-application-form/

    Michael Melancon-Koffend Student Award

    This award is to help enable 13 young Indigenous women, Two-spirit, and gender-diverse post-secondary students to pursue their educational goals. Each award winner will receive 1,000$ to pursue their post-secondary studies. 

    Eligibility criteria: 

    • Must be currently pursuing post-secondary studies (open to all fields of study) 
    • Demonstrate financial need 
    • Be an Indigenous woman, Two-spirited, or gender-diverse person (open to all ages) 
    • Demonstrate a commitment to improving the situation of Indigenous women and youth in Canada politically, culturally, economically, or otherwise 

    Learn more: https://www.nwac.ca/michael-melancon-koffend-student-award/

    Nellie Makokis Carlson Commemorative Student Award

    The award is given to three hard-working mothers and/or primary caregivers who are working towards making a better future for their children. They will be awarded 1,000$ each. 

    Eligibility criteria:  

    • A single mother, Two-spirited, or gender-diverse person 
    • Attending a post-secondary institute  
    • Of Indigenous descent  
    • Able to demonstrate financial need 

    Learn more: https://www.nwac.ca/nellie-makokis-carlson-commemorative-student-award/

    National Student Bursary

    This bursary is awarded each year to exceptional First Nations students enrolled in college or university studying in fields related to the advancement of First Nations data sovereignty. The award is up to 2,500$. 

    Eligibility criteria: 

    • Any First Nation student pursuing a post-secondary degree in the fields of health, social sciences, or applied sciences, or studying issues related to First Nations data sovereignty 
    • Proof of First Nations status will be required. 

    Learn more: https://fnigc.ca/what-we-do/partnerships-and-capacity/national-student-bursary/

    Government of Canada Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool

    This is an online tool that helps search through 688 bursaries, scholarships and incentives available across Canada offered by governments, universities and colleges, private and public companies, individual Canadians, organizations and others aimed at Indigenous students. 

    To access this search tool, click on the following link: Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool (sac-isc.gc.ca) 

    Awards for Aboriginal Students (BCIT)

    • A list of 21 different scholarships, bursaries and awards available to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people. 

    BCIT Student Financial Aid and Awards External Aboriginal Awards flyer [PDF] 

    There are also many opportunities for financial support through Bishop’s. See below to apply.

    BU Financial Support