Who are the Indigenous peoples in Canada? They are the descendants of the original inhabitants of North America. The words Aboriginal, Native and Indigenous refer to the same groups of people. The Canadian Constitution recognizes three different groups of Aboriginal people: First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. These are three separate peoples with unique heritages, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.
Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool and 10 Aboriginal Scholarships in Canada to Apply for In 2024
Use this tool to search more than bursaries, scholarships and incentives across Canada, offered by governments, universities and colleges, private and public companies, individual Canadians, organizations and others aimed at Indigenous students. Study the 10 most popular of them and choose what you want to apply.
Terra Nova Aboriginal Masters Student Scholarships
Established with the generous support of Terra Nova. It aims at Aboriginal students and their graduate programs at Memorial University of Newfoundland. The Masters-level scholarship, valued at $7,500 annually. The scholarship can be renewed for one extra year if an applicant fits the requirements. Only full-time students that meet the minimum academic milestones can apply for a scholarship.
Professional Studies Award for Undergraduates
The Grants for indigenous students are valued at $2,500 per year and are renewable for three additional years assuming the recipients maintain clear academic standing and full-time enrollment. Two new recipients will be selected each year on a rotating basis, between the Faculties of Business Administration, Engineering and Applied Science, Medicine, and Education and the Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Social Work.
Yukon ACLS Scholarship Program
The Yukon ACLS Scholarship is awarded to a Yukon student enrolled in a program which focuses on: Land Surveying, Land Management, Geographic Information Systems, or Geomatics.
Aboriginal Nursing: TD Aboriginal Baccalaureate Scholarship
The TD Aboriginal Nursing Fund will support First Nation Status or Non-status, Inuit or Métis nurses at the Bachelor, Master’s, PhD and Nurse Practitioner levels. This fund aims to support Canadian Aboriginal nursing students and is valued at $3,000.
Aboriginal Memorial University Entrance Scholarships
Indigenous study grants valued at $1,000 will be awarded to 4 self-identified Indigenous Undergraduate students, in scholarship standing, who have not received another scholarship of greater or equal value at Memorial University.
Weather Network Aboriginal Scholarship
The Weather Network Educational Incentive Award has a main goal of promoting and increasing awareness about the Canadian Broadcasting Industry among Aboriginal peoples. One scholarship of $1,000 is awarded each year. Status or non-status Aboriginal full-time students are eligible to apply. If no students apply from these programs, then the award may go to an Aboriginal student in another school program specifically Communication, Business Administration, Meteorology, Computer Science, Graphic Design or Engineering Technology.
Anita George Memorial Scholarship Award for Indigenous Nursing Students
Award for Indigenous Nursing Students from the Canadian Nurses Foundation will support First Nation Status or Non-status, Inuit or Métis nurses at the Bachelor, Master’s, PhD and Nurse Practitioner levels. This fund aims to support Canadian Aboriginal nursing students who intend to practice nursing preferably in Aboriginal communities or Aboriginal health settings. More than $270,000 are dedicated to this fund.
Arthur C. Parker, Society for American Archeology (SAA) and National Science Foundation Scholarships for Indigenous Peoples
The Native American Scholarships Fund under the SAA is an endowment established to foster a sense of shared purpose and positive interaction between archeologists and Native Americans. Scholarships are open to all Native peoples from anywhere in America.
Canada Post’s Aboriginal Education Incentive Awards
Offered for the first time in 2004, Canada Post’s Aboriginal Education Incentive Award of $1,000 celebrates the hard work of those who have embraced a renewed pursuit of learning. This award is for First Nations, Métis or Inuit who meet the stated criteria.
Eva and Herschel Gora Bursary
This is a 4-year bursary valued at $4,000 per year for an undergraduate student of Indigenous ancestry who is enrolled in either the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Nursing, the School of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Science or the School of Social Work.
Apply for Indigenous Scholarship
Canada Post gives $2,000 grants to Indigenous Peoples who have renewed their educational learning. Find out how to apply for the award. Students have many capabilities of choosing a scholarship to their liking, because payments are offered in many areas of specialties.
If you are a foreign student, you will also be able to find several chances to get a scholarship in Canada. There is a step-by-step instruction on how to start applying. Don't forget to check out the list of the top scholarships for immigrants.
Who Can Apply For Scholarships for Indigenous Students?
Now we will consider the mandatory conditions for applying for aboriginal university scholarships. You’re eligible to apply if you:
- Are a Canadian and a member of a First Nation, Métis 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 (you can apply as many times as you want, but you can only receive the award once).
How To Get Started
Here’s what you need to do to apply:
- Complete the application form.
- Write an essay. Edubirdie.com helps with scholarship essay writing to make sure students can highlight the best of them in their essays.
- Provide school transcripts or a letter from an academic supporter (photocopies are acceptable).
- Include a photocopy of a community membership card or an official letter from a community member.
To Draw The Line
The majority of bursaries on this list target Aboriginal students but could vary by group such as First Nation, Métis or Inuit. Also, some bursaries are specific to a region, place of residence, a school, or a field of study. The State has a policy of supporting the indigenous population of Canada. There are many options of getting funding for indigenous students while studying at college or university. Much attention is also paid to the preservation of the language and traditions of the local population.