McDonald’s Indigenous Bursary

What you will need

• ✓ Indigenous affiliation
• ✓ Enrollment in a Business program
• ✓ Financial need
• ✓ Attendance at a Canadian post-secondary institution (College, University, Technical College, or Apprenticeship Program)

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited 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 pursuing a career in business and can show that you need financial help to finish your studies. 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 McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited 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 McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You qualify if you have any Indigenous affiliation and are attending a post-secondary institution across Canada, such as a college, university, technical college, or apprenticeship program. You must be enrolled in a Business program. While demonstrated financial need is the main factor the committee looks for, they may also consider your academic performance and how much you contribute to your community.

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
• ✓ Studying Business

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 detailed budget showing exactly how the bursary fills a gap in your tuition or living costs. List your specific expenses and the shortfall you are facing.
• StrategyAvoid applying only once. Since there are three separate deadlines (August 1, November 1, and February 1), you should track which one aligns best with your school's tuition billing cycle to maximize your cash flow.
• RealismAvoid assuming a guaranteed win based on eligibility alone. Because financial need is the primary consideration, you should apply for several other bursaries simultaneously to ensure you have enough coverage for the year.

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
• Tachane Foundation Inc.Tachane Foundation Inc. Bursary for Indigenous Students
• 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