Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
CNSA BIPOC Award
About this award
Get up to $3,000 for your nursing studies if you identify as BIPOC and attend a CNSA chapter school — apply online starting each December.
You can receive up to $3,000 for your studies. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you identify as a Black, Indigenous, or Person of Colour (BIPOC) nursing student who has overcome unique barriers to show leadership in your field. Applications open each December for the following academic year and usually close in late January. No specific time zone is posted, so check the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF — the organization that provides funding for nursing students) website at cnf-fiic.ca/scholarships/ for the exact closing date and time this year. You will hear back via the methods listed on their portal. The CNF awards committee chooses winners based on merit. They give out over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, but they do not publish the exact number of winners for this specific award — ask them how many BIPOC awards are available to judge your odds. Ask the Canadian Nurses Foundation 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 the Canadian Nurses Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.
Can you get it?
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident — citizenship requirement
- Undergraduate — study level
- Studying Nursing — field of study
How to apply
Review eligibility and gather your documents~1 hour
Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.
Submit by No deadline~1 hour
Double-check every field, save a copy, and submit at least 24 hours early.
More details
The biggest mistake is writing a generic application.
Winners instead focus on their specific experiences as a BIPOC student and how those unique barriers shaped their leadership skills.
Describe a concrete moment where you led others despite the obstacles you faced.
Many students forget to verify their school's status.
Ensure your registrar confirms you are in a CNSA (Canadian Nursing Students' Association) chapter school in good standing before you submit.
Since one single application covers every CNF (Canadian Nurses Foundation) scholarship you qualify for, don't limit your answers to just one award.