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) aren’t listed in generic scholarship databases at all, so a student relying on a generic search will miss most of what’s actually available. This page lists the institutional awards our directory indexes. 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 (Status or Non-Status First Nations, Métis citizen of MNO/MNA/MNBC/MNS, 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.
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 + book allowance + living allowance + travel to 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 (demand exceeds federal allocation in many bands).
- Indspire. Canada’s largest 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 + Inuit organization programs. MNO, MNA, MNBC, MNS (Métis Nation of Ontario, Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan) each run bursary + scholarship programs for citizens. Inuit beneficiaries under Nunavut Inuit Learning and Training Program (also administered via ITK and regional organizations). These are separate from Indspire.
- Institutional + specific employer awards. Every Canadian university + college has 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 + 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 directory currently lists
Below are every scholarship in our directory that flags indigenousRequired or explicitly includes Indigenous applicants. Because band-administered PSSSP and many Métis/Inuit programs are not “public scholarship listings” (they’re administered internally), our directory 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.