Indigenous students in Canada (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) have a funding ecosystem that runs separate from the mainstream scholarship and student-loan system. The big pieces (PSSSP, band-administered funding, Indspire) don't show up in a generic scholarship search at all. This page covers the institutional awards our editors have reviewed and listed. The larger ecosystem (band funding, federal programs, Métis Nation awards) is summarized here and covered in depth in our Indigenous student funding guide.
Who this page is for
You identify as Indigenous - First Nations (Status or Non-Status), Métis, or Inuit - and you're applying to post-secondary in Canada. You want a complete picture of the funding you can stack, not just the scholarships. One heads-up before you plan: proof requirements vary sharply by funder, and some major ones (including Indspire, under the policy it applies from November 2, 2025) accept only registration documents such as a Status card, band membership card, treaty card, or a recognized registry card. Each listing on this page says what its provider asks for; confirm with the provider before you count on any single award.
The four Indigenous funding tracks
- Band-administered funding (PSSSP). Status First Nations students with a registered band can apply through their band's education department for the federal Post-Secondary Student Support Program. PSSSP typically covers tuition, a book allowance, a living allowance and travel to your program. Every band sets its own priorities, application timelines, and renewal conditions; contact your band's education officer early, often a year in advance of your start date. Funding is not guaranteed.
- Indspire. A national Indigenous-specific scholarship and bursary administrator. Runs the Building Brighter Futures program (bursaries, scholarships, and awards from high school through graduate). Field-specific streams cover health, STEM, business, law, and trades, plus employer-partnered awards (Scotiabank, RBC, TD, and others) administered through Indspire.
- Métis Nation and Inuit organization programs. MNO, MNA, MNBC, MNS (Métis Nation of Ontario, Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan) each run bursary and scholarship programs for citizens. Inuit beneficiaries are covered by the Nunavut Inuit Learning and Training Program, also administered via ITK and regional organizations. These are separate from Indspire.
- Institutional and employer awards. Many Canadian universities and colleges have Indigenous-designated entrance awards, in-course scholarships and bursaries. Many also have Indigenous student centres that administer additional awards and can point you at unlisted sources.
The stacking rule
Indigenous-targeted awards generally stack with other scholarships and, separately, with federal and provincial student loans. Band-administered PSSSP funding usually reduces what you need from a student loan but doesn't reduce scholarship eligibility. That's different from need-based bursary programs at non-Indigenous-specific universities, which sometimes reduce when other funding is disclosed.
Documentation and timing
- Band education letter. If you're accessing PSSSP, your band's education officer is the first call. Some bands fund only Status members, some fund Non-Status registered members, some prioritize specific fields. Confirm eligibility a full year ahead of your intended start date.
- Status/citizenship documentation. Most Indigenous-designated awards require proof. Indian Status card, Métis citizenship card, Inuit beneficiary documentation. Keep scans handy when you're submitting multiple applications.
- Timing. PSSSP application windows are often March–June for September starts, but this varies by band. Indspire's main intake is fall for winter-term, and spring for summer/fall terms. University-specific Indigenous awards usually follow the standard Grade 12 scholarship cycle.
What this page currently lists
Below is every scholarship we list that is only for Indigenous students or explicitly includes Indigenous applicants. Because band-administered PSSSP and many Métis/Inuit programs are not "public scholarship listings" (they're administered internally), this page alone is insufficient. Please use the "Read next" guide for the full landscape, and contact your band education office or Métis Nation/Inuit organization directly.