CN Indigenous Bursaries

For bursaries supporting Indigenous students from across Canada attending post-secondary institutions.

Published by G Paul · last checked August 31, 2026

Next deadline

Nov 1, 2026

Level

College, Undergraduate, Graduate, Trades, Certificate

Open to

Across Canada

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Indigenous affiliation
Enrollment at a post-secondary institution

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact CN to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. As a bursary, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an Indigenous student from any across Canada who is managing the costs of post-secondary education while demonstrating financial need. 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 an application portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask CN how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask CN 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 CN whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be an Indigenous student from across Canada with any Indigenous affiliation. You can be at any level of study, provided you are attending a post-secondary institution and can demonstrate financial need. While open to all programs, preference is given to you if you are studying transportation, engineering, IT (Information Technology), business management, law, or marketing.

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 college, undergraduate, graduate, trades or certificate students

Preferred, not required

Preference for students in transportation, engineering, IT, business management, law or marketing

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

Financial NeedAvoid providing a vague statement about being broke. Instead, provide a clear budget showing exactly where your funding gaps are and how this bursary solves a specific problem. List your monthly expenses and current grants to prove the gap.
SupportAvoid using a generic character reference. Instead, use referees who can speak specifically to your resilience and community involvement. Ask your referee to provide a concrete example of a time you overcame a challenge.
StrategyAvoid ignoring the preference programs. Instead, highlight any connection between your degree and the preferred fields like transportation or business. Even if you are in a different major, explain how your skills overlap with these industries.
RealismAvoid treating this as guaranteed money. Instead, apply to multiple bursaries simultaneously. Because these are based on financial need and preferences, your odds improve if you diversify your applications.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

Applications close on November 1, 2026. Submit a day or two early: application sites get busy at the end.

Can international students apply?

Check the award's official page for the citizenship rules.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Aug 31, 2026