S.i Systems Indigenous Student Bursary

What you will need

• ✓ Indigenous affiliation
• ✓ Enrollment at a Canadian post-secondary institution

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact S.i. Systems 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 identify as Indigenous and have a demonstrated financial need while pursuing your education. 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 a portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask S.i. Systems how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask S.i. Systems 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 S.i. Systems whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must have any Indigenous affiliation and show a demonstrated financial need. You can be attending any type of post-secondary institution in Canada, including technical colleges, trades schools, CEGEPs (Collèges d'enseignement général et professionnel — the public post-secondary system in Quebec), apprenticeships, colleges, or universities. While any area of study is welcome, two of the four awards are specifically set aside: one for students pursuing IT (Information Technology) or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education, and one for students enrolled in Business, HR (Human Resources), Marketing, or Finance programs. Preference will be given to the students with the highest 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.

• ✓ Open to college, undergraduate or trades students
• ✓ Studying IT, STEM, Business, HR, Marketing or Finance

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 costs and income gaps. List your specific monthly expenses to prove why this funding is necessary.
• SupportAvoid using a generic character reference. Instead, use referees who can speak directly to your financial struggles and academic persistence. Ask a teacher or community leader to highlight your resilience.
• StrategyAvoid ignoring the specialized slots. Since two awards are reserved for IT, STEM, Business, HR, Marketing, or Finance, emphasize your passion for those specific fields if you are in them to increase your odds.
• RealismAvoid relying on this as your only source of funding. With only four awards available across all of Canada, you should apply for several other bursaries simultaneously to secure your tuition.

Questions students ask

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