Sun Life · National
Sun Life Indigenous Student Awards
About this award
Apply by August 1, November 1, or February 1 for an annual award for Indigenous students with financial need. Apply through Indspire's central Building Brighter Futures program — one application covers all sponsor pools.
The provider doesn't post a fixed dollar amount — contact Sun Life 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. This is for you if you identify as Indigenous and need extra financial support to cover your education costs. You have three deadlines to choose from: August 1, November 1, and February 1. No notification timeline is posted publicly — before you start the application, check Sun Life's program page or call their office to confirm when you will hear back. 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. How to apply: This funding is administered through Indspire's Building Brighter Futures Bursaries & Scholarships program. Students complete one central application that's evaluated against all 360+ of Indspire's funding pools (including this one) — you don't apply to the sponsor directly. The Apply button on this page routes to Indspire's portal automatically. For the full program description, all three application deadlines, and detailed eligibility, see Indspire Building Brighter Futures Bursaries & Scholarships on FundMyCourse.
Can you get it?
- Indigenous — citizenship requirement
- Undergraduate, Graduate — study level
- Studying math, finance, accounting (CPA), computer science, commerce, actuarial science, social sciences — field of study
How to apply
Review eligibility and gather your documents~1 hour
Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.
Submit by No deadline~1 hour
Double-check every field, save a copy, and submit at least 24 hours early.
More details
The biggest mistake is providing a vague statement about needing money.
Winners instead provide a clear budget showing exactly how the award fills a gap in their tuition or living costs.
List your specific shortfall to prove your need.
The biggest mistake is using a general character reference.
Winners instead use a mentor or teacher who can specifically vouch for their academic persistence despite financial hurdles.
Ask your referee to mention your resilience.