Scholarships & Bursaries
Scholarships & Bursaries
Scholarships
Indspire Scholarships
Indspire is the largest scholarship fund available for Indigenous students in Canada! This unique platform allows you to complete one application to apply for all of the Indspire scholarships. They also have three deadlines throughout the year, meaning it’s never too late to apply. With over $115 million in scholarships awarded to more than 37,500 Indigenous students over the years, there’s bound to be a scholarship for you!
Horatio Alger Indigenous Achievement Scholarships
The Horatio Alger Association offers $50,000 in scholarships to Indigenous students! Each year, five lucky students starting a four-year post-secondary program can receive a $10,000 scholarship. This award is in partnership with Indspire, although a separate application is required!
Nelson Indigenous Student Scholarship
Each year, Nelson awards a $10,000 scholarship to one Indigenous student in Canada! They look for student leaders who have demonstrated academic success, personal strength, and a commitment to preserving Indigenous languages and culture. If this sounds like you, then be sure to apply by the end of June!
Husky Energy Scholarships
Husky Energy offers five scholarships for Indigenous students each year! For students in a four-year degree program, you can receive $5,000 each school year for a total of $20,000 towards your degree! Students in college or technical institute programs can get $3,500 for two years, totalling $7,000 for your education. Preference is given to students with financial need, work experience, and community involvement. Apply before June each year for your chance!
RBC Scholarship for Aboriginals
Another scholarship for Indigenous students that should be on your list is this one offered by RBC! This recurring scholarship is awarded to 10 students each year. This is a renewable scholarship, meaning recipients will receive $4,000 each academic year for two to four years! That’s a total of up to $16,000 towards your education! They also offer an internship and other professional development opportunities for Indigenous students. Check out their website for more details!
Canada Post Awards for Indigenous Students
Canada Post offers $2,000 grants for Indigenous students annually! This unique scholarship provides funding to students who are renewing their educational learning. If you’ve been out of school for a year or have already completed a full year of schooling, this is the scholarship for you!
Dreamcatcher Scholarship
The Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation offers limited funding to Indigenous students in Ontario. A unique scholarship, this award can also be applied to purchase computers for special needs students, pay for organized school trips, and other educational circumstances! Read more about their requirements on their website.
Check Your University or College!
Lastly, many individual universities and colleges offer scholarships for Indigenous students! These awards can tend to have a bigger dollar amount. Some may even nearly pay for your entire tuition! An example is the $30,000 Presidential Scholars Award from the University of British Columbia (UBC).
LRI’s Bursaries and Awards
The Louis Riel Bursary
Qualified students are required to complete a 2-part application. 1 (one) with LRI and 1 (one) with the students’ post-secondary institution. The Louis Riel Institute confirms an applicant’s eligibility for the bursary through verification of Manitoba Métis Federation citizenship and the post-secondary institution determines the bursary recipients based on their individual assessment criteria(s).
Students are eligible to apply for the Louis Riel Bursary every year they are enrolled at one of the above post-secondary institutions.
Students who are interested in applying for this bursary can contact their post-secondary institution directly or contact the Louis Riel Institute to request an application and get further details, or download the application form.
*Please ensure the most recent version of the application is completed and submitted (Dated 2023/24 in the footer of the application)
Mary Guilbault Métis Award
This Award is available to Red River Métis students across Manitoba who excel in academics and the community. Post-secondary students who have been a resident of Manitoba for the last 12 months may qualify for the Mary Guilbault Métis Award, administered through the Louis Riel Institute.
Qualified students are encouraged to complete an application, provide a transcript (official or unofficial) from the most recent academic year and provide two letters of recommendation along with an essay. Each application will be assessed on an individual basis.
Students are eligible to apply for the Mary Guilbault Métis Award each year they are enrolled in a post-secondary institution.
Manitoba Métis Federation Vickar Community Chevrolet Award
The Vickar Community Chevrolet Award is available to Red River Métis students enrolled at Red River College Polytechnic and registered in one of the prerequisite programs:
- Automotive Technician (Certificate)
- Automotive Technician (Diploma)
- Collision Repair & Refinishing
- Introduction to Trades (Automotive)
- Business Administration
- Commerce, Industry Sales & Marketing
Qualified students are required to complete a two-part application through Red River College Polytechnic and the Louis Riel Institute. Each application will be assessed on an individual basis.
Students are eligible to apply for the Vickar Community Chevrolet Award every year they are enrolled as long as the award criteria is met.
Students who are interested in applying for this award can contact the Louis Riel Institute to request an application and get further details, or download the application form.
The deadline to apply for the MMF Vickar Community Chevrolet Award is October 15th.
*Please ensure the most recent version of the application is completed and submitted (Dated 2023/24 in the footer of the application)
The Senator Gerry & Margaret St. Germain Award
Qualified students are encouraged to complete an application, provide a transcript or statement of marks from their most recent year and provide two letters of recommendation, along with an essay. Each application will be assessed on an individual basis.
Students who are interested in applying for this award can contact the Louis Riel Institute to request an application and get further details.
*The Senator Gerry & Margaret St. Germain Award has closed for the 2023/2024 academic year. We are currently working on our online applications! The Senator Gerry & Margaret St. Germain Award will be available online April 2024! Check back here for the link*
Audreen Hourie Governance Fellowship
The Audreen Hourie Governance Fellowship is available to Red River Métis students enrolled at the University of Winnipeg. Students accepted into the Masters of Aboriginal Governance or Masters of Development Practice, who are involved with their community, and who show financial need are encouraged to apply.
Qualified students are required to complete an application through the University of Winnipeg. Each fellowship will be assessed on an individual basis and is directly linked to an applicant’s enrollment in either the Masters of Indigenous Studies program or the Masters of Development Practice program.
Students who are interested in applying are encouraged to contact the University of Winnipeg to request further details on how to apply.
External Awards
Below you will find a list of more opportunities that Red River Métis students can apply for! This list is updated often so please keep checking back!
MMF Post-Secondary Education Support Program
The MMF Post-Secondary Education Support Program aims to improve the education of Red River Métis students from the Red River Métis Community by providing them with funding to access educational opportunities at the post-secondary level. Eligible post-secondary levels include:
- Undergraduate programs.
- Advanced or professional degree programs, and
- Masters and Doctoral programs.
Eligible costs covered by the program may include tuition, books, travel support, and living allowances. Students interested in applying can visit mmfeducation.ca to access the online application.
Métis Employment & Training Department
Grade 12 Students or Students Who Have Not Yet Started Their Post-secondary Education
The Girls Write the Future
The Girls Write the Future Scholarship is available to Indigenous students who identify as women, intend to graduate from high school this academic year (or have already graduated but not started university), have an overall high school GPA of 3.0/4.0, 75% or equivalent, and have a proven track record of community service and engagement. The deadline for this scholarship is August 4. Please see their website for more details.
For All Post-secondary Students
Assiniboine Credit Union
Assiniboine Credit Union offers Indigenous Student Bursaries for Indigenous students enrolled in a post-secondary business program in Manitoba. The deadline for this bursary is January 31. Please see their website for more details.
ATCO
ATCO offers various awards for Indigenous students who demonstrate a balanced lifestyle and commitment in their quest for education. The deadline for these awards is August 15. Please see their website for more details.
Business Council of Manitoba
Business Council of Manitoba offers their Business Council of Manitoba Indigenous Education Award to full-time students (minimum 60% course load). The deadline for this award is May 31. Please see their website for more details.
Canada Post
Canada Post offers education grants to Indigenous students who have renewed their educational learning. This grant is available to students who have been out of school for 1 year or more and are returning to school or students who have already returned and have completed 1 full year of studies. The deadline for this award is August 31. Please see their website for more details.
City of Winnipeg
The City of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Youth Strategy, Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak, offers scholarships to Indigenous students who are enrolled in full-time post-secondary education at a recognized post-secondary institution in Winnipeg. This includes all Universities, Community Colleges, and Trades Schools in Winnipeg that provide degrees, diplomas, and certificates. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is August 18. Please see their website for more details.
First Peoples Law
First Peoples Law offers a scholarship to Indigenous students that are studying law who demonstrate a commitment to serving and advancing the interests of Indigenous Peoples. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is July 31. Please see their website for more details.
Government of Manitoba
Apprenticeship Manitoba offers the Tim McLean Memorial Fund Bursary to Indigenous apprentices who demonstrate financial need and have completed at least 1 year of training. The deadline to apply for this bursary is May 31. Please see their website for more details.
Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Awards
The Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Fund Awards strives to promote the memory of Helen Betty Osborne while acknowledging Indigenous students who are making a difference in eliminating the barriers of racism, sexism, violence, and indifference in our society. Students residing in Manitoba and enrolled in post-secondary studies in Manitoba are eligible for this award. Please see their website for more details.
Indspire
Indspire has various awards that they give out throughout the school year. Students that are enrolled in full- and part-time studies in college, university, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and technology program are eligible. The deadlines for these awards are August 1, November 1 and February 1. Please see their website for more details.
Indspire also offers the Canada Post Awards for Indigenous Students which celebrates the hard work and determination of Indigenous people who have embraced a renewed pursuit of learning. These awards are open to all Indigenous students who have been out of school for one year or more, who have since decided to return to an educational system, and who have now been back at school of at least one year. The deadline for this award is August 31. Please see their website for more details.
Manitoba Hydro
Manitoba Hydro offers a wide variety of awards to all sorts of specific majors and who live within certain regions of Manitoba. Please see their website for more details on all they offer.
Manitoba Indigenous Youth Achievement Awards
Manitoba Indigenous Youth Achievement Awards offers an award to Indigenous students that are residents of Manitoba. The deadline to apply for this award is October 13. Please see their website for more details.
Me-Dian Credit Union
Me-Dian Credit Union offers their Me-Dian Credit Union Annual Bursary Fund. This bursary is available to students that are accepted to attend or are enrolled in a recognized University of College in Canada for the current/new academic school year. This bursary offers various evaluation categories that students can apply for. The deadline for this bursary is July 30. Please see their website for more details.
Native Women’s Association of Canada
Native Women’s Association of Canada offers the Helen Bassett Commemorative Student Award to four Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, or gender-diverse students, in the amount of $1,000. Students must be currently pursuing post-secondary studies (priority will be given to students who are studying law or in a law-related field) and must demonstrate a commitment to improving the situation of Indigenous women and youth in Canada politically, culturally, economically, or otherwise. The deadline for this award is July 14. Please see their website for more details.
MGEU
MGEU offers various Post-Secondary Scholarships for members of their union. The NUPGE Post-Secondary Scholarships offer a scholarship for Indigenous students who are members of NUPGE and/or MGEU or who have family members who are members. The deadline to apply for these awards is July 7. Please see their website for more details.
SNC- Lavalin
SNC-Lavalin offers Indigenous Success Scholarships to Indigenous students enrolled in a post-secondary Canadian institution who have demonstrated their commitment to education, volunteer work, and their desire to help Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. The deadline to apply for this award is May 1. Please see their website for more details.
RBC – Royal Bank of Canada
Royal Bank of Canada offers their RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Indigenous Youth for full-time students who show a strong potential for success to complete their post-secondary education. Please see their website for more details
TD Bank
TD Bank offers the TD Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples to Indigenous students who are/will be attending a full-time minimum 2-year program at an approved post-secondary institution. The deadline to apply for this scholarship November 6. Please see their website for details.
Strike Group
Strike Group offers a scholarship to Indigenous students who are living in Western Canada. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is June 30. Please see their website for more details.
School Funding Booklet
Helpful tips for finding money for school from the Louis Riel Institue.