Scholarships / Bursaries

Credit: Learning on the land with Elder John Elliot (Tsartlip), Camosun College
Scholarships and bursaries are an important way to help fund your education. Did you know that every year, thousands of dollars in scholarship and bursary funding isn’t distributed, due to a lack of applications?
Apply for everything you qualify for. If you haven’t already done so, contact the financial aid office at your post-secondary institution to learn more about institution-specific scholarships and bursaries.

Major Awards for BC First Nations Students

The Chief Joe Mathias British Columbia Aboriginal Scholarship Fund supports BC First Nations learners pursuing post-secondary education in honour of the late Chief Joe Mathias.

The Chief Joe Mathias BC First Nations Teacher Scholarship supports BC First Nation students to complete a teacher education program at a BC public post-secondary institution

New Relationship Trust Scholarships and Bursaries provide awards for BC First Nations Students from the diploma to the doctoral level of studies.
BC Scholarship Society’s Indigenous Awards are open to all Indigenous students. Award amounts range from $1000 to $5000.

The First Citizens Fund provides financial assistance to Indigenous students enrolled in post-secondary education programs. Students may qualify for one of the two funding streams: $2,000 (based on financial need) or $700 (if receiving a living allowance from your Nation).

Indspire Bursaries and Scholarships are available for Indigenous students across Canada. There are awards for all areas of study, from trades to health careers.
Indigenous Services Canada has as Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool. You can search for bursaries by keyword, location, program of study, or Indigenous group.

Indigenous students with disabilities can also locate supports and awards through the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society.

Students studying in the United States can access Pell Grants and the Canada-US Fullbright Program.

The Health Sciences Association (HSA) provides two $1500 bursaries to Indigenous students from BC who are continuing or proceeding in any HSA-related field.

The Urban Spirit Foundation provides secondary and post-secondary scholarships based on need and ability, to persons of Aboriginal descent who are pursuing post-secondary studies in fields that will help meet the specific needs of First Nations, Inuit, or Métis peoples and communities.

Graduate students studying in the United Kingdom can apply for the Chevening-Briggs Scholarship.

Need help paying for school? Learn about student loans.

Student Loans