Funding, Bursaries and Scholarships

Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation started in 2004 with the vision of listening to and empowering the next generation of Indigenous youth. Dreamcatcher supports health, education, arts & culture, and recreation & sports. They can provide limited funding assistance for youth in indigenous communities to reach their education goals. Status Members Only - Requires 3 references 

Website: https://www.dreamcatchercharity.org/apply

Application deadlines: mid-July for September start, mid-October for January start

Indspire provides financial support to First Nations, Inuit and Metis students across Canada to assist them in completing their post-secondary education. Requires proof of Status. 

Website: https://indspire.ca/programs/students/bursaries-scholarships/

Application deadlines: February 1, August 1, November 1

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 Métis students, between the ages of 15-29 at the time of application, across Canada demonstrating strong academic performance and community involvement. 
 
Website: https://www.rbc.com/en/future-launch/resource-type/scholarships-awards/indigenous-scholarship/

Application deadline: February 7, 2024.

TD and AFOA Canada built a scholarship for Indigenous Peoples. 25 Scholarships are awarded annually, worth up to $60k over 4 years. 

Regardless of your field of study, scholarships are open to First Nation, Metis and Inuit who are members / citizen of a First Nation, Metis or Inuit community who: have applied for a full-time minimum 2-year program with an approved post-secondary institution for the next year of study; or are enrolled in, or accepted to, a full-time minimum two-year program with an approved post-secondary institution for the next year of study. Employees of TD and its subsidiaries and their children are not eligible for these scholarships. 

Website: https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/solutions/student-advice/indigenous-student-scholarships-grants-and-bursaries

Application deadline: November 6, 2023

TD and AFOA Canada built a scholarship for Indigenous Peoples. 25 Scholarships are awarded annually, worth up to $60k over 4 years. 

Regardless of your field of study, scholarships are open to First Nation, Metis and Inuit who are members / citizen of a First Nation, Metis or Inuit community who: have applied for a full-time minimum 2-year program with an approved post-secondary institution for the next year of study; or are enrolled in, or accepted to, a full-time minimum two-year program with an approved post-secondary institution for the next year of study. Employees of TD and its subsidiaries and their children are not eligible for these scholarships 

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

Application deadline: November 6, 2023

Eligibility criteria:

• Identify as part of one or more of the following groups: First Nations, Métis, Inuit or a member of the Black community
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or legally eligible to work in Canada until, and including, August 26, 2024
• Currently a full-time undergraduate student in the 2023-2024 academic year
• Be able to participate in and complete a summer internship with CIBC in one of the following business units at a CIBC location: 
  • Commercial Banking 
  • CIBC Private Wealth: Private Banking and Wood Gundy
  • CIBC Asset Management

Up to 6 awards of $10,000 available

Website: https://portal.scholarshippartners.ca/welcome/CIBC_CBWM_En/

Application deadline: January 25, 2024

Every year, the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) provides scholarships and bursaries to young Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, and/or gender-diverse students.  

Scholarships - NWAC

• Indigenous Women, Two-Spirit, gender diverse people.  
• All age groups
• Demonstrate Financial Need
• Priority to students committed to improving situations of Indigenous women and gender-diverse people in Canada politically, culturally, economically or otherwise.  

Website: https://nwac.ca/scholarships-bursaries

Cheekbone Beauty is the first Indigenous-owned and founded cosmetics company. They aim to make a difference in the lives of Indigenous youth through donations that support educational opportunities and to create a space in the beauty industry where everyone, including indigenous people feel represented and seen.  

• Indigenous students who are residents of Canada or USA and are currently enrolled in a Canadian or US post-secondary institution.  
• Must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
• 5 guaranteed recipients. Cheekbone may select more.  
• 2-3 reference letters from friends, colleagues or educators. 1 letter must be from an educator.  

Email: info [at] cheekbonebeauty.com (info[at]cheekbonebeauty[dot]com)

Website: https://www.cheekbonebeauty.com/pages/cheekbone-beauty-scholarship-application

Grand River Post Secondary Education Office (G.R.P.S.E.O.)

GRPSEO provides financial education assistance for students looking to continue their education at a post-secondary institution. If you are a Six Nations member you are eligible to apply for full time or part time post-secondary assistance.  

Mississauga's of the Credit First Nation, Post-Secondary Services 

Their objective is to encourage eligible students to acquire post-secondary qualifications so that they can become economically self-sufficient, develop their individual potential to further their goals and contribute to the progress of the First Nation community, the Province, the Country and the global community. 

Southern First Nations Secretariat: Southern First Nations Aboriginal Post Secondary Education Assistance 

The mission of the Southern First Nations Secretariat Post-Secondary department is to assist eligible member First Nation life-long learners in their pursuit of higher educational opportunities. We strive to enrich the experience of the learner by supporting and advocating while they are on their academic path to self-empowerment. 

Wiikwemkoong Board of Education

The Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) is provided to eligible Post-Secondary candidates enrolled in eligible Post-Secondary institutions with set criteria of funding provided by the Government of Canada.

Apply for Sponsorship

Toll Free Number: 1-866-832-9464
Local Number: 705-859-2010
Fax Number: 705-859-2888

Apatisiwin is a Swampy Cree word meaning “employment, training, and jobs”. The vision of the Apatisiwin Program is that Indigenous people gain education, experience, and skills to achieve and maintain meaningful employment. 

The G.R.E.A.T student office can assist students with job searching, resumes and cover letter and networking in the industry. They also provide many employment and training supports to ensure you are successful in your area of interest. 

NPAAMB Indigenous Youth Employment and Training provides skills development and training opportunities for urban Aboriginal youth ages 15-30 in Southern Ontario.

Works with Indigenous community members in the Greater Toronto Area to support them in navigating employment and training services. 

The ISET Program provides funding to Indigenous service delivery organizations that design and deliver job training services to First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban/non-affiliated Indigenous people in their communities. 

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/indigenous-skills-employment-training/service-delivery-organizations.html 

“The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) offers financial aid to students pursuing post-secondary education in Ontario. OSAP aims to assist students with paying for tuition, books and equipment, living expenses, school fees, and child care."

OSAP offers funding through grants (money students don’t have to pay back) and loans (money students repay once they’ve completed their schooling). When students apply for OSAP, they are automatically considered for both grants and loans. If students don’t want to take a loan, they can decline it after their application is approved and only take the grant.

For Indigenous Students, OSAP provides additional financial support through the Indigenous Student Bursary and Ontario Indigenous Travel Grant.

The Indigenous Student Bursary is designed to complement other financial assistance programs that are available to Indigenous Students, such as band funding or scholarships. To qualify for this bursary, students must meet the eligibility criteria.

More information about the Indigenous Student Bursary can be found here: https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/PRDR019231.html#P16_1…

The Ontario Indigenous Travel Grant can assist Indigenous Students with the cost of travelling between their remote First Nations community to the postsecondary school they are attending. To qualify for this bursary, students must meet the eligibility criteria.

More information about the bursary can be found here: https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/POCONT1_068272

To apply, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-apply-osap

Questions?

Connect with the Financial Assistance at Mohawk College. 
http://www.mohawkcollege.ca
Room C102, Fennell Campus
135 Fennell Avenue West
Hamilton, ON L9C 0E5
(844) 767-6871

Indigenous learners can connect with the Indigenous Student Coaches to assist with the application process.