About the Aboriginal Bursaries Site

Searchable Web site opens door to millions in bursaries for Aboriginal post-secondary students

More than $10 million in bursaries and scholarships is available to Canadian Aboriginal students for their post-secondary education.

Now it's easier to search for these awards on the Aboriginal Bursaries Web site, developed by the Aboriginal Canada Portal, a partnership between the Government of Canada and the six major Aboriginal organizations. This site replaces the Aboriginal Bursary Index, a listing of bursaries put together several years ago by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

Universities and colleges, governments, private companies, organizations and foundations, and individual Canadians have set up numerous bursaries to encourage Aboriginal students to continue their education past high school.

Many bursaries have been set up by individuals in memory of someone who has made a difference in their lives, to recognize relatives and friends for their contributions to Aboriginal life in Canada or who have been touched by stories of extraordinary effort and generosity.

The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) (www.naaf.ca), established in 1985 as a nationally registered non-profit organization has dispersed $4.6 million to more than 1,300 First Nation, Inuit and Métis students. The foundation leverages support from a variety of private sources, including BMO, Shell Canada, RBC, Suncor and other major companies, and provides funding through four application-based programs. Since 1985 it has handed out in excess of $34 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 10,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students nationwide.

Canadian businesses also recognize the value of investing in Aboriginal youth and provide extensive financial support through a variety bursaries and scholarships, either nationally, through NAAF or on a regional basis to encourage Aboriginal students to train for employment in their field of operation.

For instance, the Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth (www.ccab.com/faay.html) is a national scholarship and bursary program administered by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business that responds to the critical need to assist Aboriginal high school and post-secondary students with bursaries and scholarships – through the generous support of program sponsors.

Hundreds of other non-profit organizations provide a range of bursaries to Aboriginal students. Eligibility typically varies by Aboriginal group (e.g. First Nation, Inuit or Métis) and could be specific to an institution, gender, or area of study.

This list includes bursaries and scholarships available to all Northern residents, not just Aboriginal students because a significant proportion of the population is Aboriginal.

For Aboriginal students in the rest of Canada, there are thousands of awards open to all students to which they can also apply. These are usually listed on a university or college's Web site under Financial Aid.

Federal Funding for First Nation and Inuit Post-Secondary Education

Indian Affairs and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) provides financial support to eligible First Nations and Inuit students.

Status Indian students who want to pursue post-secondary studies should contact their band office or the regional office of INAC.

Inuit students residing out of the territories for more than one year should contact the Regional INAC office in the province of residence. Further information is available at: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/edu/ep/pse-eng.asp

The federal government also offers direct student support through Canada Student Loans Program and the Canada Student Grants Program in the form of loans and grants to Canadians attending post-secondary education in most provinces and territories.

For parents, the Canada Education Savings Grant program supplements their savings for post-secondary education.

Information about how to apply is available at: http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/index.shtml