James Bay Bursaries

What you will need

• ✓ Indigenous affiliation
• ✓ Residency or community ties to Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Moose Factory, or Moosonee
• ✓ Demonstrated financial need
• ✓ Enrollment in a post-secondary institution

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact Indspire (the organization that manages these funds) 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 learner from a James Bay community who wants to pursue a career in healthcare or any other field of study. Deadlines come around three times a year on August 1, November 1 and February 1, so aim for whichever one is next. No notification timeline is posted publicly — when you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back via email, 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 are an Indigenous student from one of the James Bay communities: Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Moose Factory, or Moosonee. You must be attending a post-secondary institution at any level of study in any program of study. You also need to show demonstrated 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 college, undergraduate, graduate, trades or certificate students
• ✓ Resident of Ontario

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

• SupportAvoid using a generic character reference. Instead, use mentors or teachers who can speak specifically to your commitment to your community and your goal of entering healthcare. Ask your referee to mention your ties to the James Bay region.
• StrategyAvoid applying only once a year. Since there are three separate deadlines (August, November, and February), you should track which one best aligns with your school's tuition billing cycle to maximize your cash flow.
• RealismAvoid assuming the award covers full tuition. Because the dollar amount isn't public, treat this as a top-up bursary rather than your primary funding source until you confirm the amount with Indspire.

Questions students ask

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