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Manitoba Blue Cross Indigenous Northern Scholarships

Get up to $5,000 for Indigenous students pursuing social work or counselling degrees with

Reviewed by G Paul · verified May 1, 2026

$5,000

Total value

Nov 1, 2026

Next deadline

What you will need

Proof of Indigenous affiliation
For PhD applicants: proof of enrollment in a PhD program
For BSW applicants: proof of enrollment in a Bachelor of Social Work program
For Certificate applicants: proof of enrollment in the Aboriginal & Northern Counselling Certificate Program

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 own page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm with the provider before you apply.

Open to certificate, graduate or undergraduate students
Studying social work or counselling

How to apply

Read the award's own page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

More details

Program Focus

Avoid 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.

Support

Don't forget to leverage their instructors.

Instead, secure strong letters of support from faculty in your social work or counselling departments who can vouch for your clinical potential.

Strategy

Since there are three separate deadlines (August 1, November 1, and February 1), do not wait until the final date of the year.

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