Scholarships for Indigenous students in Canada
We list 8 awards for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students that are open or coming up, from national programs to provincial bursaries and university entrance awards. The next published date is October 29, 2026 (Dean Connor Sun Life Inclusion Scholarship & Internship, applications and documents due). Your Nation or community may also fund your studies; see below. Every award links to its provider, checked between August 15, 2026 and October 1, 2026.
Reviewed October 1, 2026 · Checked against the primary sources below · How we review guides
Open awards for Indigenous students
Most are only for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students. A few are for Black and Indigenous students. The tag on each row shows which.
| Award | Amount | Next date |
|---|---|---|
Dean Connor Sun Life Inclusion Scholarship & InternshipSun Life CanadaBlack or Indigenous studentsWho can apply and stepsFor Black or Indigenous Canadian citizens or permanent residents in full-time undergraduate, graduate or diploma study at a recognized Canadian institution who will return full-time in September 2027, finish by August 2028 and can complete a full-time Canadian internship.
Timing, as the provider states it: 2026 applications and supporting documents are due October 29, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. EST, as stated by Sun Life; confirm the time zone before submitting | Amount: $10,000 for one academic year plus a paid four-month internship from May to August 2027 | Next date: Closing soonHow you apply: Apply directly |
Building Brighter FuturesIndspireIndigenous studentsWho can apply and stepsOne application considers First Nations, Inuit and Métis learners for many scholarships, bursaries and awards. Most applicants need at least a 60% course load, or 40% with a disability-related accommodation; only select agreements support other part-time study.
Timing, as the provider states it: 2026–27 consideration dates: August 1, November 1 and February 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST, as stated by Indspire; applications remain open through February 1, 2027 | Amount: Varies by matched award | Next date: Closing soonHow you apply: Apply directly |
Dalhousie First Nations and Indigenous Black Student ScholarshipsDalhousie UniversityBlack or Indigenous studentsWho can apply and stepsFor Indigenous Black and First Nations students from Atlantic Canada with good academic standing and financial need. The admission average isn't considered.
Timing, as the provider states it: Entrance award deadline February 15, 2027 | Amount: $32,000 ($8,000 a year for four years) | Next date: How you apply: Through your school |
First Nations Resource Development ScholarshipGovernment of OntarioIndigenous studentsWho can apply and stepsCovers direct costs for First Nations students in approved resource development programs at Ontario public colleges, universities or Indigenous Institutes. You must be a member of, or connected to, a First Nations community in Ontario.
Timing, as the provider states it: Set by your school's financial aid office | Amount: Total program cost plus $2,500 for 2026–27 | Next date: No single deadline. See timing.How you apply: Through your school |
King's College Dr. Carrie Best ScholarshipUniversity of King's CollegeBlack or Indigenous studentsWho can apply and stepsA King's major entrance award for Black Canadian and Indigenous students. Most major awards need the scholarship section of the admission application and a 500-word essay.
Timing, as the provider states it: Scholarship application and essay due March 1, 11:59 p.m. AST | Amount: $20,000 | Next date: No single deadline. See timing.How you apply: Apply directly |
Ontario Indigenous Student BursaryGovernment of OntarioIndigenous studentsWho can apply and stepsFor self-identified First Nations, Métis and Inuit students with financial need at a publicly assisted Ontario college or university or a recognized Indigenous Institute.
Timing, as the provider states it: Set by your school's financial aid office | Amount: Typically $1,000 to $3,500; up to $6,500 with remote travel costs | Next date: No single deadline. See timing.How you apply: Through your school |
U of A Indigenous Entrance ScholarshipUniversity of AlbertaIndigenous studentsWho can apply and stepsFor self-declared First Nations, Métis or Inuit applicants with an 80%+ admission average and approved identity documents.
Timing, as the provider states it: Assessed at the time of the admission offer | Amount: $1,500 | Next date: No single deadline. See timing.How you apply: Automatic consideration |
Western Continuing Admission Scholarship of Excellence for Indigenous StudentsWestern UniversityIndigenous studentsWho can apply and stepsFor Indigenous students entering first year at Western straight from high school, based on overall academic performance.
Timing, as the provider states it: Complete Western's Indigenous Student Self-ID | Amount: $6,000 a year for up to four years (30 awards), plus study-abroad funding | Next date: No single deadline. See timing.How you apply: Through your school |
Being listed doesn't mean you qualify. Each provider sets its own rules, so check the official page before you apply.
Key facts
- Open or coming up
- 8 awards
- Next published date
- October 29, 2026: Dean Connor Sun Life Inclusion Scholarship & Internship
- No single deadline
- 5 awards
- Checked at the source
- Between August 15, 2026 and October 1, 2026
Funding through your Nation or community
If you're a First Nations student registered under the Indian Act, your First Nation or its education organization may fund your studies through the federal Post-Secondary Student Support Program. Each Nation or organization runs its own application and sets its own dates, so contact its education office early.
Inuit students apply through the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy. Métis Nation students can get support through the Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategy. Indigenous Services Canada also keeps a search tool for Indigenous bursaries and scholarships.
Sources: Post-Secondary Student Support Program (Indigenous Services Canada) · Post-secondary education programs for Indigenous students (Indigenous Services Canada)
How to apply for these awards
Each award says how you show you're eligible and what to send. Open “Who can apply and steps” in the table for the provider's own list. Some programs consider you for many awards from one application, so they're worth doing first.
Provincial bursaries usually come through your student aid application or your school. University awards often start with your admission application, so apply to the university first.
- Ask your Nation's education office about its own dates before you plan anything else.
- Keep copies of your status card or proof of membership if a provider asks for it.
- Visit your university's Indigenous student centre once you've accepted an offer. Ask what supports and awards it knows about.
How this list works
Every award here comes from the same checked list as our Scholarship Finder. Each record links to the provider's own page and shows the day we last checked it. We never copy award details from aggregator sites.
Awards that are closed for this cycle are left out of the tables. They come back when the provider posts new dates. Dates refresh on their own, so a passed date drops off the page.
A listing isn't a promise that you qualify. Each provider sets its own rules and picks its own winners. Read the official page before you apply.
Official sources
Confirm current dates, rules, fees, and program details in these primary sources.
Written by Stellar Advisers Editorial Team · Reviewed by Official-source review desk · Last reviewed October 1, 2026
- Post-Secondary Student Support Program (Indigenous Services Canada)Confirms the program funds eligible First Nations students registered under the Indian Act through their First Nation or designated organization, and that Inuit students apply through the Inuit strategy. Checked October 1, 2026.
- Post-secondary education programs for Indigenous students (Indigenous Services Canada)Lists the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy, the Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategy and the Indigenous bursaries search tool. Checked October 1, 2026.
- Dean Connor Sun Life Inclusion Scholarship & InternshipSun Life Canada. Checked September 11, 2026.
- Building Brighter FuturesIndspire. Checked September 11, 2026.
- Dalhousie First Nations and Indigenous Black Student ScholarshipsDalhousie University. Checked October 1, 2026.
- First Nations Resource Development ScholarshipOntario Student Assistance Program. Checked October 1, 2026.
- King's College Dr. Carrie Best ScholarshipUniversity of King's College. Checked August 15, 2026.
- Ontario Indigenous Student BursaryOntario Student Assistance Program. Checked October 1, 2026.
- U of A Indigenous Entrance ScholarshipUniversity of Alberta. Checked August 16, 2026.
- Western Continuing Admission Scholarship of Excellence for Indigenous StudentsWestern University. Checked October 1, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions applicants ask most often.
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