<Programs & Services
Financial Survival Tips for Prospective Aboriginal Students
in Canadian Post-Secondary Institutions
It is challenging for a prospective Aboriginal student to contend with the financial implications involved with attending a Canadian Post-Secondary Institution (PSI). Researchers and policy analysts have time and time again discussed in lengthy papers the concerns and realities about recruitment and retention issues. The end result is that funding is one of the primary vehicles necessary for academic and student life success, and also one of the most contentious issues.
Recurring Myths
One of the recurring myths with regards to education and Aboriginal people is that everyone is automatically eligible for governmental funding so that they can receive a “free education”. The second myth is that educational funding is equitable and accessible for all Aboriginal people. The final myth often heard is that all individuals that culturally identify as being an Aboriginal person are treated fairly by their First Nation Band, First Nations Community, Metis, Inuit settlement, or funding organization. The reality is that applicants have to access financial aid through various funding mechanisms, all of which have a formal process that needs to be covered prior to consideration for any funding. This process can be different for each student based on their Aboriginal identity.
Indian Status Applicants
If a prospective student possesses an Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) issued status card, the first step is to communicate with their Band Education Counsellor. Even with this application into the Band, it is recommended that students apply for a provincial student loan, because sometimes they are declined for Band funding due to priority systems, waiting lists, missed application deadlines and sometimes simply because Band has reached its capacity to fund for the time being.
When a status applicant is approved for funding on a full-time basis, they are usually provided with full tuition, books and a living allowance. A single student tends to be given less, with amounts ranging from $600 to $900. A single parent with dependents living with them tends to receive amounts ranging from $1100 to $1400. The book allowance ($800 to $1000) is usually given either once in the academic year (eg., September to April) or split evenly – half in the first semester and the last half in the second semester.
Metis and/ Non-Status Applicants
Students, who are Metis and/or Non-Status, for the sake of a brief explanation, are not registered with INAC. Therefore, they cannot apply for funding through a Band Education Counsellor, like Status applicants. Instead, they are most likely registered as members with a recognized Metis organization, which usually has grant programs in place. A Metis applicant should approach the education contact in their Metis organization to get information regarding their bursary program and how to best apply for other Metis bursaries in other provinces.
Metis and/or Non-Status student applicants can apply for internal and external Aboriginal scholarships and grants with their PSI that they are attending, as well as national Aboriginal scholarship and grant funding organizations, like the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) and the Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth through the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business.
Inuit Applicants
Students who are Inuit residing in Ontario, need to contact the Education Department of Mississauga’s of New Credit First Nation to obtain the application form and other necessary documentation, such as: the post-secondary application form, the educational assistance agreement form, two release of information forms, a recent student grade report or transcript, and their current student timetable. Another option for funding is by contacting the Kakibak Association in Iqaluit, Nunavut - as they also have their own application and other documentation.
All prospective Aboriginal students need to be aware that funding mechanisms are present, but they will involve one’s time to fill out the necessary application. As with any application, they are competitive in nature because funding is limited for Aboriginal students. Every Aboriginal student should research the Aboriginal scholarships and grants available at every PSI that they are considering, because even though they may be approved for funding – the funding is usually not enough to meet their family needs.
The key to financial aid survival is to find all avenues of funding available to you. Each PSI should have a website either at the Aboriginal student office and/or in the financial aid section, listing all Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Scholarship and Bursary information. Living on a student budget is smaller in scale compared to a working person’s budget; and as a result, some adjustments to lifestyle and living expenses need to be re-visited. Contact your Academic/Financial Aid Counsellor at your PSI to help you work on a manageable budget and to give you the budgeting tips to make your student life transition an enjoyable one.
Aboriginal Scholarships and Grants for Aboriginal Students at U of T
INTERNAL: SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES INSIDE THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
First Nations House Grant
VISIT WEBSITE
City of Toronto Scholarships for Aboriginal Students:
VISIT WEBSITE
Dr. Lillian McGregor Aboriginal Award of Excellence:
VISIT WEBSITE
The President’s Award for the Outstanding Native Student of the Year:
VISIT WEBSITE
Gladys Watson Aboriginal Education Award:
VISIT WEBSITE
University of Toronto Advanced Planning for Students:
Paper Applications are available at First Nations House
(Undergraduate/Graduate)
Rosalind Murray Bradford Scholarship:
Aboriginal undergraduate students (Contact Admissions and Awards)
Metis Nation of Ontario Bursary
VISIT WEBSITE
Kathleen Green Savan Bursary
For graduating Aboriginal students in the Transitional Year Programme
Evelyn Florence and William Leonard Prideaux Award:
VISIT WEBSITE
Victoria College - The General Motors Bursaries:
For Victoria College Aboriginal students (Contact Registrar’s Office at Victoria College)
Faculty of Pharmacy-Colonel F.A. Tilston Admission Scholarship:
For Pharmacy Aboriginal students (Contact Registrar’s Office at Faculty of Pharmacy)
Faculty of Law-The June Callwood Programme:
For Aboriginal law students
Faculty of Social Work-Chancellor Rose Wolf Scholarship:
For Social Work Aboriginal students (Contact Registrar’s Office at Faculty of Social Work)
Faculty of Law/Faculty of Medicine-Roman Paduch Scholarship Fund:
For Aboriginal students in the Faculty of Law or the Faculty of Medicine
(Contact First Nations House)
Faculty of Dentistry-Wilson G. Harron Trust:
For Dentistry Aboriginal students (Contact Registrar’s Office at Faculty of Dentistry)
University of Toronto Student’s Union Dollar for Daycare Grant:
VISIT WEBSITE
EXTERNAL: SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Aboriginal Bursary System-Indian and Northern Affairs Canada:
VISIT WEBSITE
National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF):
VISIT WEBSITE
Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth (FAAY)
at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business:
VISIT WEBSITE
Casino Rama’s Awards for Excellence:
Phone 1-800-832-7529
Awards of Excellence Program
Corporate Affairs Department
Casino Rama
Box 178, R.R. # 6
Rama, Ontario L0K 1T0
MuchMusic Aboriginal Youth Scholarship:
VISIT WEBSITE
Canada Post Aboriginal Education Incentive Award:
VISIT WEBSITE
Gil Purcell Memorial Journalism Scholarship for Native Canadians:
Phone 416-507-2132
Administrative Assistant-HR
The Canadian Press
36 King St. East
Toronto, On M5C 2L9
VISIT WEBSITE
Royal Bank Scholarship Awards for Aboriginal Students:
VISIT WEBSITE
Rose Nolan Scholarship Fund:
VISIT WEBSITE
Assembly of First Nations Heroes of Our Time Scholarship:
VISIT WEBSITE
Global Television Aboriginal Peoples’ Internship Award:
VISIT WEBSITE
Tracey King, B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed. (candidate)
Academic/Financial Aid Counsellor at First Nations House
Financial Survival Tips for Prospective Aboriginal Students
in Canadian Post-Secondary Institutions
It is challenging for a prospective Aboriginal student to contend with the financial implications involved with attending a Canadian Post-Secondary Institution (PSI). Researchers and policy analysts have time and time again discussed in lengthy papers the concerns and realities about recruitment and retention issues. The end result is that funding is one of the primary vehicles necessary for academic and student life success, and also one of the most contentious issues.
Recurring Myths
One of the recurring myths with regards to education and Aboriginal people is that everyone is automatically eligible for governmental funding so that they can receive a “free education”. The second myth is that educational funding is equitable and accessible for all Aboriginal people. The final myth often heard is that all individuals that culturally identify as being an Aboriginal person are treated fairly by their First Nation Band, First Nations Community, Metis, Inuit settlement, or funding organization. The reality is that applicants have to access financial aid through various funding mechanisms, all of which have a formal process that needs to be covered prior to consideration for any funding. This process can be different for each student based on their Aboriginal identity.
Indian Status Applicants
If a prospective student possesses an Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) issued status card, the first step is to communicate with their Band Education Counsellor. Even with this application into the Band, it is recommended that students apply for a provincial student loan, because sometimes they are declined for Band funding due to priority systems, waiting lists, missed application deadlines and sometimes simply because Band has reached its capacity to fund for the time being.
When a status applicant is approved for funding on a full-time basis, they are usually provided with full tuition, books and a living allowance. A single student tends to be given less, with amounts ranging from $600 to $900. A single parent with dependents living with them tends to receive amounts ranging from $1100 to $1400. The book allowance ($800 to $1000) is usually given either once in the academic year (eg., September to April) or split evenly – half in the first semester and the last half in the second semester.
Metis and/ Non-Status Applicants
Students, who are Metis and/or Non-Status, for the sake of a brief explanation, are not registered with INAC. Therefore, they cannot apply for funding through a Band Education Counsellor, like Status applicants. Instead, they are most likely registered as members with a recognized Metis organization, which usually has grant programs in place. A Metis applicant should approach the education contact in their Metis organization to get information regarding their bursary program and how to best apply for other Metis bursaries in other provinces.
Metis and/or Non-Status student applicants can apply for internal and external Aboriginal scholarships and grants with their PSI that they are attending, as well as national Aboriginal scholarship and grant funding organizations, like the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) and the Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth through the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business.
Inuit Applicants
Students who are Inuit residing in Ontario, need to contact the Education Department of Mississauga’s of New Credit First Nation to obtain the application form and other necessary documentation, such as: the post-secondary application form, the educational assistance agreement form, two release of information forms, a recent student grade report or transcript, and their current student timetable. Another option for funding is by contacting the Kakibak Association in Iqaluit, Nunavut - as they also have their own application and other documentation.
All prospective Aboriginal students need to be aware that funding mechanisms are present, but they will involve one’s time to fill out the necessary application. As with any application, they are competitive in nature because funding is limited for Aboriginal students. Every Aboriginal student should research the Aboriginal scholarships and grants available at every PSI that they are considering, because even though they may be approved for funding – the funding is usually not enough to meet their family needs.
The key to financial aid survival is to find all avenues of funding available to you. Each PSI should have a website either at the Aboriginal student office and/or in the financial aid section, listing all Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Scholarship and Bursary information. Living on a student budget is smaller in scale compared to a working person’s budget; and as a result, some adjustments to lifestyle and living expenses need to be re-visited. Contact your Academic/Financial Aid Counsellor at your PSI to help you work on a manageable budget and to give you the budgeting tips to make your student life transition an enjoyable one.
Aboriginal Scholarships and Grants for Aboriginal Students at U of T
INTERNAL: SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES INSIDE THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
First Nations House Grant
VISIT WEBSITE
City of Toronto Scholarships for Aboriginal Students:
VISIT WEBSITE
Dr. Lillian McGregor Aboriginal Award of Excellence:
VISIT WEBSITE
The President’s Award for the Outstanding Native Student of the Year:
VISIT WEBSITE
Gladys Watson Aboriginal Education Award:
VISIT WEBSITE
University of Toronto Advanced Planning for Students:
Paper Applications are available at First Nations House
(Undergraduate/Graduate)
Rosalind Murray Bradford Scholarship:
Aboriginal undergraduate students (Contact Admissions and Awards)
Metis Nation of Ontario Bursary
VISIT WEBSITE
Kathleen Green Savan Bursary
For graduating Aboriginal students in the Transitional Year Programme
Evelyn Florence and William Leonard Prideaux Award:
VISIT WEBSITE
Victoria College - The General Motors Bursaries:
For Victoria College Aboriginal students (Contact Registrar’s Office at Victoria College)
Faculty of Pharmacy-Colonel F.A. Tilston Admission Scholarship:
For Pharmacy Aboriginal students (Contact Registrar’s Office at Faculty of Pharmacy)
Faculty of Law-The June Callwood Programme:
For Aboriginal law students
Faculty of Social Work-Chancellor Rose Wolf Scholarship:
For Social Work Aboriginal students (Contact Registrar’s Office at Faculty of Social Work)
Faculty of Law/Faculty of Medicine-Roman Paduch Scholarship Fund:
For Aboriginal students in the Faculty of Law or the Faculty of Medicine
(Contact First Nations House)
Faculty of Dentistry-Wilson G. Harron Trust:
For Dentistry Aboriginal students (Contact Registrar’s Office at Faculty of Dentistry)
University of Toronto Student’s Union Dollar for Daycare Grant:
VISIT WEBSITE
EXTERNAL: SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Aboriginal Bursary System-Indian and Northern Affairs Canada:
VISIT WEBSITE
National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF):
VISIT WEBSITE
Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth (FAAY)
at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business:
VISIT WEBSITE
Casino Rama’s Awards for Excellence:
Phone 1-800-832-7529
Awards of Excellence Program
Corporate Affairs Department
Casino Rama
Box 178, R.R. # 6
Rama, Ontario L0K 1T0
MuchMusic Aboriginal Youth Scholarship:
VISIT WEBSITE
Canada Post Aboriginal Education Incentive Award:
VISIT WEBSITE
Gil Purcell Memorial Journalism Scholarship for Native Canadians:
Phone 416-507-2132
Administrative Assistant-HR
The Canadian Press
36 King St. East
Toronto, On M5C 2L9
VISIT WEBSITE
Royal Bank Scholarship Awards for Aboriginal Students:
VISIT WEBSITE
Rose Nolan Scholarship Fund:
VISIT WEBSITE
Assembly of First Nations Heroes of Our Time Scholarship:
VISIT WEBSITE
Global Television Aboriginal Peoples’ Internship Award:
VISIT WEBSITE
Tracey King, B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed. (candidate)
Academic/Financial Aid Counsellor at First Nations House
