Petro-Canada Award for Indigenous Students

What you will need

• ✓ Canadian citizenship
• ✓ Valid Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• ✓ Full-time enrollment in a Canadian high school or post-secondary institution
• ✓ Indigenous affiliation (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis)

About this award

Depending on your level of study, you can receive a one-time award of $700 for high school or one of a total of 8 bursaries awarded annually in the amount of $5,000 for post-secondary education. As these are bursaries, this money is yours to keep — there is nothing to repay. This is for you if you are a Canadian First Nations, Inuit, or Métis student who lives in a community with a formalized relationship with Petro-Canada™. High school applicants apply by July 1 each year. Post-secondary applicants have three deadlines each year: August 1, November 1 and February 1. You should check the Indspire (the national Indigenous education charity) portal to confirm exactly how and when you will be notified of a decision. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Indspire how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Indspire 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 Indspire whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be a Canadian citizen and identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis. If you are applying for the high school award, you must be under the age of 19 and enrolled full-time in a Canadian high school. For the post-secondary award, you must be enrolled full-time in a Canadian college, university, technical college, or apprenticeship program. Priority is given to students in communities with formalized Petro-Canada™ relationships, specifically: Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Alexis Creek First Nation (Tsideldel), Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Anishnabe – Lake Simon, Attawapiskat First Nation, Cheam First Nation, Cowichan First Nation, English River First Nation, Esgenoopetit First Nation, Eskasoni First Nation, Flying Dust First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Fort Mckay First Nation, Fort Mcmurray #468 First Nation, Gitanmaax Band, Gitwangak First Nation, Gull Bay First Nation, Gitanyow First Nation, Haisla First Nation, Innu First Nation, James Bay Cree, Kahkewistahaw First Nation, Kamloops Indian Band, Kashechewan First Nation, Kinistin Saulteaux Nation, Kitselas First Nation, Lac-Saint-Jean First Nation, Listuguj First Nation, Little Black Bear First Nation, Little Pine First Nation, Long Plain First Nation, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Matsqui First Nation, Mcleod Lake Indian Band, Metlakatla First Nation, Mistawasis First Nation, Moose Cree First Nation, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Nacho Nyak Dun First Nation, Nak’azdli First Nation, Naicatchewen First Nation, New Songhees Reserve, Ochapowace First Nation, Osoyoos First Nation, Papaschase First Nation, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, Primco Dene, Cold Lake First Nation, Salt River First Nation, Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, Saulteau First Nation, Selkirk First Nation, Siksika Nation, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Stk’emlupsmec, Tahltan Nation (Dease Lake), Tk’emlúps Te Secwepemc, Tsawwassen First Nation, T’sou-Ke Nation, Yinka Dene Alliance, Wahgoshig First Nation, and Wet’suwet’en First Nation.

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
• ✓ Open to high school students

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 breakdown of your specific education costs and explain exactly how the $700 or $5,000 will bridge the gap in your budget.
• SupportDon't forget to highlight their connection to their community. Instead, include letters or statements that prove your ties to the specific First Nation or community listed in the preference group.
• StrategyDon't wait until the final deadline. Since there are three separate windows for post-secondary students (August, November, and February), apply during the earliest possible window to increase your chances of securing one of the 8 annual spots.
• RealismRemember that the post-secondary award is highly limited. Because there are only 8 awards available each year across all of Canada, you should treat this as a supplement rather than your primary source of funding.

Questions students ask

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