Kaatza Foundation Award

What you will need

• ✓ Enrollment in a post-secondary institution (college, university, technical college, or apprenticeship program)
• ✓ Indigenous affiliation

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact Kaatza Foundation 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 with any Indigenous affiliation who has a demonstrated financial need for help with education costs. 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, phone, or through the application portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Kaatza Foundation how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Kaatza Foundation 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 Kaatza Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be attending a post-secondary institution, such as a college, university, technical college, or apprenticeship program. This award is open to you regardless of your program of study, your level of study, or your specific Indigenous affiliation. You must show demonstrated financial need to qualify. While anyone meeting these criteria can apply, preference will be given to students from British Columbia.

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 breakdown of your tuition gaps and living expenses. List your specific monthly shortfall to prove your need.
• SupportAvoid using a generic character reference. Instead, use referees who can speak directly to your financial struggles and academic persistence. Ask a teacher or community leader to highlight your resilience.
• StrategyAvoid applying only once a year. Since this award is distributed annually with three separate deadlines, you should track all three dates to maximize your chances.
• RealismAvoid assuming a guarantee because of geographic preference. Being from British Columbia helps your odds, but you still need to meet the strict financial need criteria to win.

Questions students ask

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