The Andrew Rattee Bursary for Indigenous Students

What you will need

• ✓ Indigenous affiliation (First Nation, Inuit, or Métis)
• ✓ Enrollment in a university program in Canada
• ✓ Demonstrated financial need

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact The Rattee Family 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 are a First Nation, Inuit, or Métis student pursuing a university degree and want to eventually bring your expertise back to your community. 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 the application portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask The Rattee Family how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask The Rattee Family 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 The Rattee Family whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You qualify if you have any Indigenous affiliation (First Nation, Inuit, or Métis) and are enrolled at a university institution across Canada. This award is open to you regardless of your year of study, as it covers any level of university program. You must also show demonstrated financial need. While open to those in Canada, preference is given to students enrolled at universities across Canada.

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 undergraduate or graduate 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, documented breakdown of your tuition gaps and living expenses to prove your financial need.
• SupportAvoid using a generic character reference. Instead, secure letters from community leaders or professors who can speak specifically to how the student intends to use your degree to help your community.
• StrategyAvoid applying only once a year. Since there are three separate deadlines (August, November, and February), you should track which one aligns best with your current financial shortfall.
• RealismAvoid assuming a guaranteed payout because of eligibility. Because this is based on financial need and preference, treat this as a supplement to your funding plan rather than your primary source.

Questions students ask

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