OEB Indigenous Scholarship

What you will need

• ✓ Indigenous affiliation
• ✓ Enrollment in a post-secondary program
• ✓ Residency in Ontario
• ✓ Financial need

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact Ontario Energy Board (OEB — the independent regulator of Ontario's electricity and natural gas sectors) to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back, and it is designed to support you over a two-year period. This is for you if you are an Indigenous student in Ontario who needs financial help and is interested in the energy sector. Deadlines come around twice a year on August 1 and November 1, so aim for whichever one is next. No notification timeline is posted publicly — when you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back via email, portal, or phone. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Ontario Energy Board how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds, though they do award two scholarships annually. Ask Ontario Energy Board 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 Ontario Energy Board whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be an Indigenous post-secondary student in Ontario who needs financial assistance. You can have any Indigenous affiliation and be at any level of study. While you can pursue any field of study, preference is given to those in programs with the potential to lead to a career in the energy industry, especially if you have at least two years of study remaining.

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
• ✓ 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

• SupportAvoid providing a basic character reference. Instead, use referees who can speak to your leadership potential and your connection to your Indigenous community. Ensure your references highlight your reliability and ambition.
• StrategyAvoid ignoring the networking aspect of this award. Emphasize your desire to participate in OEB discussion groups and apply for paid work terms. Show them you want the professional experience, not just the cash.
• RealismAvoid assuming this is a guaranteed grant. With only two scholarships awarded annually, it is highly competitive. Apply early and ensure your application clearly demonstrates both financial need and a professional link to the energy sector.

Questions students ask

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