Indigenous Learning Centre (ILC) Scholarships for AFOA Canada courses

What you will need

• ✓ Completed questionnaire and application form
• ✓ Proof of Indigenous ancestry
• ✓ Proof of AFOA (Association of First Nations Chief Executives) Canada membership or proof of application to membership
• ✓ Two Letters of Reference, Recommendation and/or Support
• ✓ For CEIL Scholarship applicants: review and meet the specific eligibility criteria found on the CEIL Scholarship form

About this award

The amount of money you receive depends on which award you get. As a CEIL (Certified Executive Indigenous Leader) Scholarship recipient, you get full tuition and $2,400 towards travel expenses. If you get a Cohort Scholarship, you get 50% of your tuition offset. Those receiving an Online Course Scholarship or a Workshop Scholarship will have the cost of one course or one workshop covered. This is a grant, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an Indigenous professional working in finance or management, or a full-time student looking to build leadership skills through AFOA (Association of First Nations Chief Executives) Canada programs. You must apply by December 4, 2026. The Indigenous Learning Centre (ILC) will notify all applicants of the decision, regardless of whether you were successful or not, though they do not post a specific notification date. The ILC Selection Review Committee reviews all applications that are submitted in full and on time. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Indigenous Learning Centre (ILC) how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Indigenous Learning Centre (ILC) 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 Indigenous Learning Centre (ILC) whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be First Nations, Inuit, or Métis. You must also reside or work in an Indigenous community or organization. Additionally, you must either be employed in a financial or management position, or be attending school as a full-time student. A preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need.

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 post-secondary students
• ✓ Studying financial or management

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

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

3. 3

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• ReferenceAvoid providing generic letters of support. Instead, ask your referees to describe specific examples of your leadership in your community or workplace. Provide two strong letters of recommendation to meet the requirement.
• SupportAvoid submitting your application without checking your AFOA (Association of First Nations Chief Executives) Canada membership status. Instead, ensure your membership is active or you have proof of your application to join. Attach this proof clearly to your package.
• StrategyAvoid treating this as a guaranteed spot in a course. Instead, remember that you must apply and be approved by AFOA Canada separately from this scholarship. Apply to the course and the scholarship at the same time to coordinate your start date.
• RealismAvoid ignoring the financial need preference if you are in a stable high-paying role. Instead, be honest about your current financial situation in your questionnaire. Focus your application on how the training will benefit your community's financial management.

Questions students ask

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