Scholarships & Bursaries for Indigenous Students

University & College Resources for all Canadians

Key Questions

What is the difference between a scholarship and a bursary?

A scholarship is a grant or payment made to support a student’s education, awarded based on academic or other achievement. A bursary is a monetary award made by an educational institution or funding authority to individuals or groups. It is usually awarded to help a student have the financial means to attend school.

What is the difference between Status and Non-status?

A status indigenous person refers to any First Nations person who is registered with the federal government or to a band that signed a treaty with the Crown. A non-status indigenous person refers to any First Nations person who is not registered with the federal government and not registered to a band which signed a treaty with the Crown. In 2013, it was established that non-status “Indians” have the same rights as “Indians”.

NEW: The Taggart Award for Algonquin Students

This award was created to support outstanding students who have demonstrated leadership skills and have given back to their community or are involved in extracurricular activities. The award is to be distributed to eligible students of Algonquin heritage from one of the 10 Algonquin communities represented by AOO who are attending a college, university, technical college, or an apprenticeship program in Canada.

Awards Criteria

Awards Category: Post-Secondary Education
Program of Study: Any, with first preference given to students enrolled in Business programs
Level of Study: Any
Indigenous Affiliation: Algonquin students from one of the following communities: Antoine; Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation; Bonnechere; Greater Golden Lake; Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini (Bancroft); Mattawa/North Bay; Ottawa; Shabot Obaadjiwan (Sharbot Lake); Snimikobi (Ardoch); Whitney and Area Application Deadlines: August 1, November 1, February 1.

To Learn More:
Visit the bilingual Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards program guidelines on the Indspire website to learn about all the funding offered to support post-secondary education.

Please read the program guidelines before filling out the application form at indspire.ca/apply

The Sylvia Bowerbank Memorial Bursary

The Sylvia Bowerbank Memorial Bursary recognizes Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini First Nation member Sylvia Bowerbank.

This bursary was established in 2005 by family and friends in memory of Dr. Sylvia Bowerbank who was a professor in the English department at McMaster University and was instrumental in setting up the Indigenous Studies program at McMaster.

This bursary is offered to female students enrolled in the Department of English and Cultural Studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario who demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to students who are part of an Indigenous community in Canada.

The bursary can be found on the McMaster University website under the in-course bursaries, Open to the Faculty of Humanities.