Green Shield Canada · National
GSC Indigenous Student Awards
About this award
Apply by August 1, November 1, or February 1 for funding to support your health-related post-secondary studies if you identify as Indigenous. Apply through Indspire's central Building Brighter Futures program — one application covers all sponsor pools.
The provider doesn't post a fixed dollar amount — contact Green Shield Canada (GSC — a social enterprise providing health and dental benefits) 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. This is for you if you are an Indigenous student dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes through your studies. You have three different deadlines to choose from: 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 Green Shield Canada how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Green Shield Canada 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 Green Shield Canada whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain. How to apply: This funding is administered through Indspire's Building Brighter Futures Bursaries & Scholarships program. Students complete one central application that's evaluated against all 360+ of Indspire's funding pools (including this one) — you don't apply to the sponsor directly. The Apply button on this page routes to Indspire's portal automatically. For the full program description, all three application deadlines, and detailed eligibility, see Indspire Building Brighter Futures Bursaries & Scholarships on FundMyCourse.
Can you get it?
- Indigenous — citizenship requirement
- Post Secondary — study level
- Studying psychology, mental health counselling, social work, health sciences, medical school, dentistry, health services, health promotion — 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 listing your courses without explaining why you chose them.
Winners instead connect their specific health program to a goal of helping their community.
Describe exactly how your degree in a field like social work or dentistry will fill a gap in healthcare for Indigenous people.
The biggest mistake is providing a generic character reference.
Winners instead use referees who can speak to their resilience and commitment to health equity.
Ask a mentor or professor to highlight your specific strengths in clinical or community settings.