McGill University · National
McGill Okòn:ra Undergraduate Award
About this award
Get $5,000 annually for any undergraduate degree at McGill University if you have confirmed Indigenous affiliation — apply by August 1, November 1, or February 1. Apply through Indspire's central Building Brighter Futures program — one application covers all sponsor pools.
You get a $5,000 Award that is allocated annually. 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 an undergraduate degree and want support to help you focus on your studies. You can apply by August 1, November 1, or February 1. When you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back — whether it is by email, a portal, or phone. Selection criteria aren't published — ask McGill University how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask McGill 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. To keep this award, you must carry a full-time course load unless McGill approves a different arrangement. Also, keep in mind there is a limit of $20,000 per student per degree program for the Okòn:ra Awards processed through Indspire. How to apply: This funding is administered through Indspire's Building Brighter Futures Bursaries & Scholarships program. Students complete one central application that's evaluated against all 360+ of Indspire's funding pools (including this one) — you don't apply to the sponsor directly. The Apply button on this page routes to Indspire's portal automatically. For the full program description, all three application deadlines, and detailed eligibility, see Indspire Building Brighter Futures Bursaries & Scholarships on FundMyCourse.
Can you get it?
- Indigenous — citizenship requirement
- Undergraduate — study level
How to apply
Review eligibility and gather your documents~1 hour
Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.
Submit by No deadline~1 hour
Double-check every field, save a copy, and submit at least 24 hours early.
More details
The biggest mistake is providing vague information about your heritage.
Winners instead provide clear, documented proof of their Indigenous affiliation to ensure their application is processed quickly.
The biggest mistake is trying to handle the paperwork alone.
Winners instead reach out to Indspire (the national Indigenous education organization) to ensure all documents match the university's requirements.
The biggest mistake is applying only once a year.
Since there are three deadlines (August 1, November 1, and February 1), you should track which one aligns best with your registration date to maximize your chances.