The Canada Life Indigenous Student Awards

What you will need

• ✓ Letter answering why you chose your field of study
• ✓ Letter answering what interests you about an internship with Canada Life
• ✓ Letter explaining what you know about Canada Life's company and history
• ✓ Letter of support
• ✓ Indigenous affiliation
• ✓ Financial need

About this award

You can receive one of eleven $4,000 awards or one of twelve $5,000 awards that are distributed annually. These are scholarships, not loans, so you do not have to pay them back. If you are selected for the internship opportunity, you can earn an additional $1,500. This is for you if you are an Indigenous student in your second year of study or higher who has shown academic merit and financial need. The $5,000 awards are set aside for students in their second or third year. 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 — before you start your application, check Canada Life's program page or call their office to confirm when you will hear back. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Canada Life how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Note that for the internship, the donor conducts formal interviews to finalize the placement by March 15. Ask Canada 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 Canada Life whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must have any Indigenous affiliation and be in your second year or higher of an undergraduate or post-graduate program. For the $4,000 awards, you must be studying Business (including Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Commerce), Technology (including Computer Engineering, Digital Application Development, Technology Operations, and Project Management), or Health Science Supports and Administration (including Health Informatics and Occupational Therapy). For the $5,000 awards, you must be in your second or third year of studies focusing on Business, Business Administration, or Commerce, specifically in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources Management, International Business, or Marketing & Communications. While students from anywhere in Canada can apply, preference will be given to those from Regina, SK, Montreal, QC, Toronto, ON, London, ON, and Winnipeg, MB.

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 graduate or undergraduate students
• ✓ Resident of Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario or Manitoba
• ✓ Studying Business, Technology, Health Science Supports and Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Computer Engineering, Digital Application Development, Technology Operations and Project Management, Health Informatics, Occupational Therapy, Human Resources Management, International Business or Marketing & Communications

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

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

3. 3

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• SupportMany students provide a basic character reference. Secure a letter of support that speaks directly to your academic merit and demonstrated financial need with concrete examples.
• StrategyIf you are interested in the internship, do not just list your skills. Research Canada Life's history and corporate citizenship—specifically their work as an Imagine Caring Company—and explain why their specific culture matches your career goals.
• RealismWith only 23 total awards available across two categories, these are highly competitive. Focus your application on the specific city preferences if you live in Winnipeg, London, Toronto, Regina, or Montreal to improve your odds.

Questions students ask

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