Sam Meekis Memorial Scholarship

What you will need

• ✓ Membership in one of the 4 eligible First Nations communities
• ✓ Enrollment in a post-secondary institution or apprenticeship program in Canada

About this award

You can receive a $5,000 bursary. One $5,000 bursary is awarded each year to a member of each of the four eligible communities. The award honours Sam Meekis of Sandy Lake First Nation, who worked on Frontier Lithium's PAK Lithium Project. As a bursary, this money is yours to keep — there is nothing to repay. This is for you if you are a member of one of the four listed First Nations communities and are pursuing higher education to become a future leader. Deadlines come around three times a year on August 1, November 1 and February 1, so aim for whichever one is next. No notification timeline is posted publicly — when you apply, ask how and when you will hear back via email, phone, or a portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Frontier Lithium how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Frontier Lithium 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 are counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Frontier Lithium whether it is a one-time award or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be a member of one of the following four communities: Deer Lake First Nation, North Spirit Lake First Nation, Sandy Lake First Nation, or Keewaywin First Nation. You must be attending a post-secondary institution, which includes participating in apprenticeships across Canada. This award is open to any program of study and any level of study.

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

• Community ConnectionAvoid writing a generic application. Instead, highlight your specific ties to your First Nation and explain how your education will help you lead and give back to your community.
• StrategySince there are three deadlines (August 1, November 1, and February 1), do not wait until the last one. Applying in the earliest window may increase your chances if funds are distributed as applications arrive.
• RealismBecause there is only one $5,000 award per community, this is highly competitive. Have a backup funding plan while you wait to hear if you were selected.

Questions students ask

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