Education and Indigenous Languages Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards

What you will need

• ✓ Indigenous affiliation (First Nation, Métis, or Inuit)
• ✓ Residency in Ontario
• ✓ Enrollment in an Ontario post-secondary institution or training delivery agency
• ✓ Enrollment in an education-focused or Indigenous languages post-secondary program

About this award

The Ontario Ministry of Education doesn't post a fixed dollar amount for these awards — contact them to confirm the value for your specific bursary or scholarship before you apply. As these are bursaries and scholarships, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a First Nation, Métis, or Inuit learner pursuing a career in education or preserving Indigenous languages. You have three application deadlines to meet: August 1, November 1, and February 1. When you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back — whether it is by email, a portal, or phone. Selection criteria aren't published — ask the Ontario Ministry of Education how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask the Ontario Ministry of Education 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 Ontario Ministry of Education whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be a First Nation, Métis, or Inuit student. You must reside in Ontario and attend a post-secondary education institution or training delivery agency located in Ontario. Additionally, you must be confirmed to be enrolled in post-secondary programs that focus on education or Indigenous languages.

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
• ✓ Resident of Ontario
• ✓ Studying Indigenous languages post secondary programs or education focused post secondary programs

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 FocusAvoid writing a generic application. Instead, clearly explain how your specific program of study in education or Indigenous languages contributes to your community's future. Detail exactly how your studies align with these themes.
• StrategySince there are three separate deadlines (August 1, November 1, and February 1), do not wait until the final one. Apply during the earliest window possible to maximize your chances of securing funds before they are exhausted.
• RealismBecause the exact award amounts aren't public, treat this as a helpful supplement rather than your primary source of funding. Always have a backup financial plan while waiting for a decision.

Questions students ask

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