Manitoba Blue Cross Indigenous Northern Scholarships

What you will need

• ✓ Indigenous affiliation

About this award

You can receive one of three bursaries: a $5,000 award for those in a PhD program, a $5,000 award for those in a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work — an undergraduate degree in social work), or a $3,000 award for those in the Aboriginal & Northern Counselling Certificate Program. As a bursary, this money is yours to keep — there is nothing to repay. This is for you if you are an Indigenous student dedicated to building a career in social work and counselling. You have three application deadlines to meet: August 1, November 1, and February 1. When you apply, ask Indspire (the organization managing the funding) how and when you will hear back — whether by email, phone, or through their portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Manitoba Blue Cross how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Manitoba Blue Cross 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 Blue Cross whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must have any Indigenous affiliation to apply. To qualify for the specific funding amounts, you must be enrolled in one of these paths: a PhD program ($5,000), a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) program ($5,000), or the Aboriginal & Northern Counselling Certificate Program ($3,000). This program specifically targets those pursuing careers in social work and counselling.

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, graduate or undergraduate students
• ✓ Studying social work or counselling

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

• Program FocusAvoid writing a generic application. Instead, explicitly connect your personal history and Indigenous identity to your goal of becoming a social worker or counsellor. Detail exactly how your training will serve your community.
• StrategySince there are three separate deadlines (August 1, November 1, and February 1), do not wait until the final date of the year. Apply during the earliest window possible to increase your visibility with the committee.
• RealismWith only one award available per category, this is highly competitive. Treat this as a helpful supplement rather than your primary source of tuition funding while you wait for a decision.

Questions students ask

Similar awards

• RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic)Manitoba Co-operative/Rural/Economic Development Education Award$1,500
• Nipissing UniversityRon Marleau Memorial Award$1,000
• Nipissing UniversityL'Hibou Award$600
• Seger Family FoundationSeger Family Bursary for STEM
• RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic)Manitoba Hydro X Club Winnipeg Chapter Bursary$500
• Holland CollegeEarly Childhood Development Association of Prince Edward Island Award$500
• Gouvernement du Québec — Aide financière aux étudesAFE Loans and Bursaries Program (Programme de prêts et bourses)$14,000
• Toronto Metropolitan University - The Creative School / Shure Inc.Shure Award for Excellence in Sound Design (Image Arts)$5,000