Sun Life Indigenous Student Awards

What you will need

• ✓ Indigenous affiliation
• ✓ Demonstrated financial need
• ✓ Enrollment at a post-secondary institution

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact Sun Life to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. As a scholarship, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an Indigenous student with any Indigenous affiliation who has a demonstrated financial need for help with education costs. You can apply by August 1, November 1, or February 1. When you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back — whether it is by email, phone, or through an application portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Sun Life how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Sun Life 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 Sun Life whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be an Indigenous student with any Indigenous affiliation attending a post-secondary institution. You must show demonstrated financial need for help with your education costs. Priority is given to you if you are studying in math, finance, accounting (CPA — Certified Public Accountants), computer science, commerce, actuarial science, or social sciences.

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

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 clear breakdown of your tuition gaps and living expenses. List your specific shortfall to show exactly why you need this funding.
• SupportAvoid using a generic character reference. Instead, use referees who can speak to your academic persistence and community ties. Ask your professor or community leader to highlight your specific achievements.
• StrategyAvoid ignoring the preference categories. Instead, emphasize how your studies in fields like finance or computer science will allow you to give back to your community. Connect your degree choice to a future goal.
• RealismAvoid assuming the award covers everything. Instead, treat this as one piece of a larger funding puzzle. Apply for multiple bursaries and grants simultaneously to ensure your tuition is fully covered.

Questions students ask

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