Introduction to Trades award

What you will need

• ✓ Indigenous identity
• ✓ Enrollment in the Introduction to Trades program at Red River Polytech
• ✓ For February class applicants: submit application between February 3 and March 8
• ✓ For September class applicants: submit application between September 1 and October 15

About this award

You can receive a $500 award. 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 student starting your journey into the skilled trades. Your deadline depends on your start date. If you are in the February class, you must apply between February 3 and March 8. If you are in the September class, you must apply between September 1 and October 15. No notification timeline is posted publicly — before you apply, check Manitoba Hydro's program page or call their office to confirm when you will hear back. Selection is based on your academic performance, your home community, your financial need, and your community involvement. Selection criteria aren't published in detail — ask Manitoba Hydro how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Manitoba Hydro 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 Manitoba Hydro whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be an Indigenous student enrolled in the Introduction to Trades program at Red River Polytech. There are 6 awards in total: 3 awards are for the February class and 3 awards are for the September class.

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 certificate students
• ✓ Resident of Manitoba
• ✓ Studying Introduction to Trades

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

• Community InvolvementAvoid just listing the organizations where you volunteered. Instead, describe one specific time your help made a difference in your home community. Write about the actual impact you had on other people.
• Financial NeedAvoid giving a vague statement that you need money. Instead, explain exactly how this $500 will help you complete your Introduction to Trades program. List the specific costs, like tools or transport, that this award would cover.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the final day of the window to submit. Instead, aim to apply by the middle of the period (mid-February for the February class or mid-September for the September class). This ensures you have time to fix any technical errors with your submission.
• RealismAvoid assuming this award is guaranteed because you are enrolled. Instead, remember that only 3 students per class session will receive the funding. Focus your application on the specific selection criteria like academic performance and community ties.

Questions students ask

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