Canadian scholarships by audience
Some of the largest scholarship pools in Canada are designed for specific student groups. Indspire's Building Brighter Futures program for Indigenous students alone disburses tens of millions annually. First-generation programs at almost every Canadian university. Women-in-STEM bursaries from corporations + foundations. Each hub below covers what's specifically available, with eligibility criteria laid out plainly.
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Indigenous
Scholarships, bursaries, and education funds for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students. Indspire, PSSSP, band funding, and institutional awards.
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First-generation
Scholarships for Canadian first-generation students — Horatio Alger, community foundations, institutional first-gen programs, and need-based bursaries.
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Newcomers
Scholarships, bursaries and loans for newcomers to Canada: refugee student awards, bursaries for internationally educated health workers, and more.
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Women in STEM
Scholarships for women in science, technology, engineering and math in Canada: engineering awards, Alberta's Women in STEM Scholarship and more.
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STEM
STEM scholarships for Canada 2026: Schulich Leaders, NSERC USRA, Google/Microsoft/Shopify programs, women-in-STEM awards, university entrance.
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Students with disabilities
Scholarships and bursaries for students with disabilities in Canada, plus the federal grants and extended student aid most families never hear about.
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Mature students
Scholarships, bursaries and training money for mature students going back to school in Canada: adult learner awards, the Canada Training Credit and more.
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Career changers
Retraining grants and free training for career changers in Canada: Better Jobs Ontario, the StrongerBC future skills grant, WorkBC and more.