Cenovus Indigenous Scholarships

What you will need

• ✓ Enrollment in a full-time program
• ✓ Indigenous affiliation

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact Cenovus Energy Inc. to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. You may be eligible for funding for up to four years within a five year period. This is for you if you have an Indigenous affiliation and are pursuing a career in technical fields like engineering, geology, business, or data science. Deadlines come around three times a year on August 1, November 1 and February 1, so aim for whichever one is next. When you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back — whether it is by email, phone, or through the Indspire portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Cenovus Energy Inc. how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Cenovus Energy Inc. during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Cenovus Energy Inc. whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must have any Indigenous affiliation and be enrolled in any full time program. Eligible fields of study include Engineering degrees (Mechanical, Chemical, Petroleum), Geologist degrees, Business degrees (specifically Accounting), Technologist diplomas (Engineering or Geoscience), Power Engineering diplomas, or programs in Data Science/Analytics, Digital Technology, and Cybersecurity. Priority will be given to students from the following communities: Anzac, Alexander First Nation, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Aseniwuche Winewak Nation, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (Fort Chipewyan), Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Bigstone Cree Nation, Blood Tribe, Blueberry River First Nations, Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement, Chard/Chard Metis/Chard Dene, Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation (Janvier), Cold Lake First Nations, Conklin/Conklin Metis Local 193, Dene Tha First Nation, Driftpile First Nation, East Prairie Metis Settlement, Elizabeth Metis Settlement, Enoch Cree Nation, Ermineskin Cree Nation, Fishing Lake Metis Settlement, Flying Dust First Nation, Foothills First Nation, Fort Chipewyan Metis Association, Fort McKay First Nation, Fort McKay Metis, Fort McMurray #468 First Nations, Fort McMurray Metis, Frog Lake First Nation, Gift Lake Metis Settlement, Grande Cache Metis Local 1994, Heart Lake First Nation, Horse Lake First Nation, lnnu Nation, Inuit of Nunatsiavut, Inuit of NunatuKavut, Kapawe’no First Nation, Kehewin Cree Nation, Kelly Lake Cree Nation, Kelly Lake First Nation, Kelly Lake Metis Settlement, Kikino Metis Settlement, La Loche/Clearwater River Dene First Nation, Little Pine First Nation, Little Red River Cree Nation, Loon River First Nation, Louis Bull Tribe, Lubicon Lake Band, Miawpukek First Nation, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Metis Local 125 (Fort Chipewyan), Metis Local 1935 (Fort McMurray), Metis Nation of Alberta (Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6), Metis Nation of British Columbia, Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, Mikisew Cree First Nation (Fort Chipewyan), Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation, Moosomin First Nation, Mountain Metis, Nakcowinewak First Nation, Nose Creek Community, O’Chiese First Nation, Onion Lake First Nation, Owl River Metis Local 1949, Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement, Paul First Nation, Peavine Metis Settlement, Peerless Trout First Nation, Poundmaker First Nation, Piikani Nation, Prophet River First Nation, Qualipu First Nation, Saddle Lake First Nation, Samson Cee Nation, Saulteau First Nation, Saulteaux First Nation, Sawridge First Nation, Siksika Nation, Smith’s Landing First Nation, Stoney Nakoda Nation, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, Sucker Creek First Nation, Sunchild First Nation, Swan River First Nation, Sweetgrass First Nation, Tallcree First Nation, Thunderchild First Nation, Tsuu T’ina First Nation, Tulita First Nation, Woodland Cree First Nation, West Moberly First Nation, Whitefish/Goodfish Lake First Nation, and Willow Lake Metis Local 780.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Open to certificate students
• ✓ Studying Engineering Degree (Mechanical, Chemical, Petroleum), Geologist Degree, Business (related) Degree (Accounting), Engineering Technologist Diploma, Geoscience Technologist Diploma, Power Engineering Diploma, Data Science/Analytics, Digital Technology or Cybersecurity

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• Program ChoiceAvoid applying with a general degree when the funder wants specific paths. Instead, highlight exactly how your Mechanical, Chemical, or Petroleum Engineering degree matches the energy sector's needs.
• SupportAvoid providing a generic character reference. Instead, secure letters from community leaders or elders that prove your Indigenous affiliation and commitment to your home community.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the final deadline. Since there are three windows (August, November, and February), apply during the earliest one possible to increase your visibility to the committee.
• RealismAvoid assuming the award is guaranteed for the whole degree. Because you can receive funding for up to four years within a five year period, track your funding years carefully so you don't run out of eligibility before you graduate.

Questions students ask

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