Marjorie Anderson Financial Award for Indigenous Students

McMaster University

$80,000 over four years ($20,000 a year) for Inuit students and First Nations students from the Six Nations of the Grand River or the Mississauga of the New Credit entering an undergraduate program at McMaster.

Published by G Paul · last checked September 26, 2026

Total value

$80,000

Deadline

Apr 30, 2027

Level

Undergraduate

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Complete an application through McMaster University's AwardSpring platform by April 30, 2027, including an essay (1–2 pages) on the influence your Indigenous heritage has on your volunteer activities, leadership opportunities, university program choice, career path or community involvement, and a reference letter from a non-family member

About this award

The award is valued at $80,000 — $20,000 a year for four years. As a financial award, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you self-identify as Inuit, or as Status or Non-status First Nations from the Six Nations of the Grand River or the Mississauga of the New Credit, and you are entering an undergraduate program at McMaster. Applications are due on April 30, 2027. You apply through McMaster's AwardSpring platform, and only applicants who are selected are notified. You need a minimum admission average of at least 75% and must demonstrate financial need. Ask McMaster University 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. The award pays $20,000 a year over four years. Conditions for keeping it each year aren't listed — confirm with McMaster University what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must self-identify as Inuit, or as Status or Non-status First Nations from the Six Nations of the Grand River or the Mississauga of the New Credit. You must be entering McMaster at any level of an undergraduate program; it is not open to second-degree students. You need a minimum admission average of at least 75% and must demonstrate 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 undergraduate students

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Ask for reference letters2 weeks
Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.
Write your essay
Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

ApplicationAvoid submitting a generic personal statement. Instead, describe the influence your Indigenous heritage has on your volunteer activities, leadership, program choice, career path or community involvement, in 1 to 2 pages. Mention your goals for your time at McMaster University.
SupportAvoid providing references who only know you casually. Instead, ask a non-family member, such as a teacher or community leader, who can speak to your character and resilience. Give them a copy of the award's focus so they can tailor their letter.
StrategyAvoid waiting until the last minute to check for deadlines. Instead, set a calendar reminder to check the AwardSpring portal weekly. This ensures you do not miss the window for this or other financial awards.
RealismAvoid assuming this is the only source of funding. Instead, use the Funds Finder tool on the McMaster University website to look for other entrance bursaries and automatic awards you might qualify for.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

Applications close on April 30, 2027. Submit a day or two early: application sites get busy at the end.

Can international students apply?

Check the award's official page for the citizenship rules.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Sep 26, 2026