Elizabeth Freeland Compassion Fund

What you will need

• ✓ Indigenous affiliation
• ✓ Demonstrated financial need
• ✓ Enrollment at a post-secondary institution
• ✓ Community involvement and contributions

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact Indspire (the organization that administers this award) 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 attending a post-secondary institution and can show that you have a genuine financial need for funding. 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, a portal, or phone. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Indspire how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Indspire 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 Indspire whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You qualify if you have any Indigenous affiliation and are attending a post-secondary institution. This award is open to you regardless of your program of study or your level of study. While you must show financial need to be considered, the funder may also look at your academic merit and how you have contributed to your community.

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

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

• Financial NeedAvoid providing a vague statement about needing money. Instead, provide a clear, documented breakdown of your expenses and income gaps. List your specific costs to show exactly why this funding is needed.
• StrategyAvoid applying only once a year. Since there are three separate deadlines (August 1, November 1, and February 1), you should track which one best aligns with your school's tuition billing cycle.
• RealismAvoid assuming financial need is the only factor. Because the funder also considers academic merit and community work, you should highlight your grades and volunteer hours to stand out from other applicants.

Questions students ask

Similar awards

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• IndspireFeiga Bresver Academic Fund
• IndspireThe Indspire Star Scholarship for Business/Engineering$5,000
• IndspireDoreen Bell Bursary
• IndspireIndspire Building Brighter Futures Bursaries & Scholarships
• IndspirePractical Nursing Bursary
• IndspireHilary Pearson Award