Scholarships and bursaries are usually a non-repayable source of funds that help students with success while attending BCIT. A wide range of scholarships, awards, bursaries, and financial aid are available to Indigenous students to apply for. Please see current list below, most of which are available on an annual basis.
Contact Indigenous Initiatives
Have any additional questions about financial aid, bursaries or scholarships? Are you an organization that would like to promote an application? We can help.
Contact usIndigenous post-secondary students experiencing financial pressures can apply for the Indigenous Emergency Assistance Fund (IEAF).
Students who access emergency funding do not have to repay it. BCIT Indigenous students can contact our office for help with the application process.
Up to $20,000 per year is available for Indigenous students in multiple computing programs:
- Computer Information Technology (diploma)
- Computer Systems Technology (diploma)
- Full-Stack Web Development (diploma)
- Computer Systems (BTech)
- Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity (BTech)
Individual funding will depend on financial need (bursaries) or achievement (awards). Please apply here for bursaries and entrance awards.
Technology and Entrepreneurship Scholarships For Indigenous Youth
Part of our organizational mission is to encourage and inspire Indigenous youth to choose entrepreneurship and technology as a career path. In 2015, Animikii launched the Technology and Entrepreneurship Scholarships for Indigenous Youth.
This scholarship provides Indigenous youth in a post-secondary setting with a $500 scholarship for books, tuition, supplies, or any other cost-of-living expenses related to their time in school.
Our scholarships are available to Indigenous youth (Status and non-Status First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) ages 17-30 who are attending a post-secondary program with a focus on either technology or entrepreneurship. The school program does not have to be a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or Ph.D., but we do ask for proof of enrollment. Additionally, as part of our application, we ask students to provide a professional, academic, or volunteer reference letter. This letter can be written by a teacher, school administrator, manager, supervisor, coach, mentor, volunteer coordinator, or Counsellor.
For more information and to apply for one of the scholarships, fill out the form at the bottom of this page.
The Animikii team and our Impact Circle review each completed scholarship application we receive. We accept applications throughout the year and consider previous applicants for each new award period for as long as each applicant is eligible. The scholarship application deadline is October 31st. Award winners are selected by November 30th of every year.
For tips on how to make your application stand out, check out our blog mini-series on how to write a scholarship application for Indigenous students.
Resources available:
- BCIT Financial Aid and Awards
- B.C. Access Grant for labour market priorities – ongoing – apply with BCIT Financial Aid
- StudentAid BC
- BCIT Financial Aid Youth in Care Tuition Waiver application [PDF]
- Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool
- Aboriginal Learning Links Scholarships Listings
- Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
- Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP)
- National Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), Indigenous Skills and Employment Training funding (ISET)
- BCIT Student Financial Aid and Awards External Aboriginal Awards flyer [PDF]
- Ch’nook Scholars Program Scholarship (The deadline to apply is 11:59pm on Sunday October 6, 2024)
- BC Scholarships Society (Information about 2025 Indigenous Awards will be available in January of 2025)
- Health Sciences Association of BC Aboriginal Bursary Award ( Applications for 2024 HSA scholarships and bursaries will be available in November 2023)
- First Citizens Fund Student Bursary Program January 15th, 2024 – for students applying for the Fall 2023 semester (September-December)
May 15th, 2024 – for students applying for the Winter 2024 Semester (January-April) - Indspire – Indigenous Education Bursary and Scholarships (Deadlines: August 1, November 1, February 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST.)
- RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Indigenous Youth (Applications will open from November 22, 2023 to February 7, 2024.)- are you an Indigenous student attending or planning to attend a post-secondary school in Canada? This scholarship could help fund your education, with up to $10,000 awarded for each of your academic years. RBC has just launched the Financial Literacy for Indigenous Peoples Course. Created in partnership with the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society, the program provides practical advice and guidance on managing money with confidence and planning for the future.
- Chief Joe Mathias BC Aboriginal Scholarship – please check back in April 2024 for the next call for applications.
- BC Hydro Indigenous Scholarships and Bursaries (Check back in early spring 2024 for our next application period.)
- New Relationship Trust (NRT) First Nations Scholarship Program (The annual intake and approval process will open each calendar year in May and close August 1st.) Bursaries are awarded to students pursuing Certificates, Diplomas, Trades and Associate degrees. Scholarships are awarded at the Undergraduate, Masters, and Doctorate levels.)
- TransAlta Indigenous Student Bursary (Deadlines: August 1, November 1, February 1)
- Canada Post Awards for Indigenous Students (Deadline: August 31, 2023)
- ḴEL,ḴELOŦEN ȻE S,ISTEW̱ – Indigenous Student Award in Engineering/Architecture (The application process for 2023/2024 will open later this summer)
Bursary Overview
The Environmental Public Health Bursary for Indigenous Students provides financial support to Indigenous students pursuing an education in the field of Environmental Public Health at a program accredited by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI). The bursary is intended to cover tuition and partial living costs and will be renewable for each year of a student’s program subject to funding availability and proof of satisfactory completion of the previous year Submission requirements include completion of the online application. Shortlisted applicants will then be contacted for a short interview conducted by phone or virtual platform. Students are required to apply to schools offering CIPHI accredited programs independently and separate from the bursary application. If awarded the bursary, students will be required to provide proof of acceptance/enrollment prior to funds being transferred.
For more information and online application: Environmental Health Foundations of Canada
Post date: 24-Apr-08
This scholarship is available to Indigenous students in any year of their post secondary education who are enrolled in programs related to Primary’s areas of business. Applicants must be enrolled in full-time students at a Post-Secondary Institution in an eligible province and must be able to provide proof of enrollment. Applicants will be asked to submit a personal introduction (either a self-written letter or recorded video) demonstrating a passion for the utilities sector and how this scholarship will help them achieve their academic goals.
| PROGRAM OF STUDY | Electrical Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Powerline Technician Apprenticeship, Drafting, Surveyor, Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, IT |
| DEADLINE | Applications open between May 1, 2024 and August 1, 2024 |
| SCHOLARSHIP AWARD DATE | September 1, 2024 |
| LEVEL OF STUDY | Post-Secondary |
| INDIGENOUS AFFILIATION | Indigenous, Inuit, or Metis |
| ELIGIBLE PROVINCES | British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario |
| VALUE | $2000 per province |
| CONTACT INFORMATION | dei@primaryeng.com |
Submission Requirements:
- Proof of Ancestry (photocopy of status card, beneficiary identification, or letter)
- A copy of an acceptance letter from an accredited post-secondary or educational institute or a copy of your most recent transcript, as well as a copy of your current semester’s schedule
- A written (1-2 page) or recorded (3-5 minutes) personal introduction detailing who you are, how this scholarship would help you in achieving your academic goals, and your career ambitions in the utilities sector or with engineering consulting
Primary Engineering and Construction welcomes applications from a diverse range of applicants. All applicants will be given due consideration regardless of gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, age, colour, marital status, family status, or disability.
*Please submit your application to dei@primaryeng.com for consideration. Only successful applicants will be contacted.
(5) $10,000 Horatio Alger Indigenous Achievement Scholarships awarded in partnership with Indspire
The Horatio Alger Indigenous Achievement Scholarship is for Indigenous students starting a four-year post-secondary program in the Fall. While enrolled in post-secondary program, students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and a full-time course load to receive the renewed support each year.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the Indigenous Achievement Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- First Nation (status and non-status), Inuit and Métis high school students
- Enrolled full-time in a high school within Canada
- Plan to pursue a four-year post-secondary program within Canada full-time in the fall after award
- Valid Social Insurance Number
For information on the Horatio Alger Indigenous Achievement Scholarship, please visit the Indspire website.
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This scholarship is open to Indigenous students who are residents of Canada or the United States of America and are currently enrolled in a Canadian or U.S post-secondary institution in any area of study. You must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
To have your application considered, all parts of the application must be complete and submitted together. You can contact info@cheekbonebeauty.com if you have any questions or concerns regarding the application process.
The scholarship is $2,500 CAD. The money will be sent directly to you. This way, you may use the funds towards your school supplies, boarding or tuition.
55 scholarships available at $3400 each
The Seaspan VTE Scholarships are awarded to eligible students in British Columbia.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Horatio Alger Seaspan VTE Scholarship Program, an applicant must:
- Have completed high school (or earned high school equivalency credential) by July 1
- Applying or enrolled for Fall 2024 in a vocational or technical certificate program at a government or not-for-profit institution with direct pathways to employment
- Demonstrated financial need ($C100,000 or less annual net income per family is required)
- Demonstrated perseverance in overcoming adversity
- Be under the age of 35
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
The application for the Horatio Alger Seaspan VTE Scholarship is now open until June 17, 2024 at 12:00 PM EST.
The BC First Nations Public Service Scholarship is open to Indigenous applicants working in a non-elected role in any BC First Nation government or First Nation organization that supports governance and/or professional capacity development which contributes to the improved programming, services, or governance of a First Nation community, excluding applicants working for for-profit organizations.
Applicants must be enrolled in full- or part-time study in an accredited post-secondary course or program. Credit or non-credit programs delivered by an accredited post-secondary institution are eligible. Please note that preference will be given to applicants working for a First Nation government organization. The course or program may be offered online or in-person.
Area(s) of study must be related to the administration or management of core public services in First Nations government.
To learn more and to access application, please click: LGMA, scholarships open until October 4, 2024
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) has immediate funding available for non-status applicants across Canada. The Indigenous Skills Employment Training (ISET) program at CAP can sponsor:
• College certificate/ diploma programs
• Final year of a degree program / skills training program
• Adult basic education / highschool upskilling
Questions? Please contact Fineen Davis, ISET Program National Training Coordinator at:
1 (613) 747-6022 ext.225 | 613- 304-4125 | f.davis@abo-peoples.org
Accepting Applications: Apply Now