Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Student Bursary Program

What you will need

• ✓ Online application through the MNO Program Application Portal (metisnation.smapply.io), available after you register for the fall term
• ✓ Verified MNO citizenship
• ✓ Current enrolment at one of the 43 partner post-secondary institutions in Ontario
• ✓ Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
• ✓ Ontario residency for at least 12 months before the start of your studies
• ✓ Financial need

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact Metis Nation of Ontario to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply, as the funding amount will vary based on the funding available each year. 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 a verified MNO (Metis Nation of Ontario) citizen who is managing the costs of your education while studying in Ontario. The MNO's online application for this school year opened August 4, 2026 and closes December 31, 2026. Some schools also ask you to fill in their own award application, with a different deadline, so check with your school's financial aid office. You will generally hear back about your application in the winter. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Metis Nation of Ontario how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Metis Nation of Ontario 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, but you may reapply for bursaries and/or scholarships each year when you register for school. If you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Metis Nation of Ontario what you need to maintain to remain eligible.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be a verified MNO (Metis Nation of Ontario) citizen and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You must be a current student enrolled at one of the 43 partner post-secondary institutions in Ontario. Additionally, you must have been an Ontario resident for at least 12 months before the start of your studies and be able to 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.

• ✓ Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• ✓ Open to post-secondary students
• ✓ Resident of Ontario

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 vague statements about your expenses. Instead, provide a clear breakdown of your tuition, rent, and book costs. Gather your latest bank statements and tuition invoices before you begin.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the last minute to check your school's specific date. Instead, email PSEsupport@metisnation.org as soon as you register for your fall term. Mark the winter announcement window on your calendar so you know when to expect news.
• RealismAvoid assuming the funding amount will be the same every year. Instead, treat this as a flexible supplement to your budget. Plan your finances based on your confirmed loans and grants first, then use this bursary as extra support.

Questions students ask

Similar awards

• Metis Nation of OntarioMNO Post-Secondary Education Financial Assistance Program
• Hockey Nova ScotiaJim Stirling Scholarship$2,000
• Indigenous Services CanadaMetis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategy Funding
• University of OttawaUniversity of Ottawa First Generation Bursary$1,000
• University of OttawaFrench Studies Bursary (French Immersion Stream)$4,000
• Bill 7 Award TrustBill 7 Award 2SLGBTQI+ Scholarship$5,000
• Carleton UniversityHollis Peirce Bursary for Students with Disabilities
• Douglas CollegeDouglas College In-Course Scholarship