The Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs Bursary

What you will need

• ✓ Indigenous affiliation
• ✓ Enrollment at a post-secondary institution
• ✓ An expressed interest in becoming an entrepreneur written within the application

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact Shannon Pestun 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 an Indigenous woman who dreams of starting your own business and wants to combine your education with entrepreneurship. 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 Shannon Pestun how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Shannon Pestun 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 Shannon Pestun whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You qualify if you are an Indigenous woman with any Indigenous affiliation. You can be at any level of study in any program, provided you express a clear interest in becoming an entrepreneur on your application.

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

• EntrepreneurshipAvoid giving a generic answer about wanting to start a business. Instead, describe a specific problem you want to solve or a gap in the market you've identified. Detail exactly what kind of venture you envision.
• StrategyAvoid ignoring the three different deadlines. Instead, treat each window as a fresh chance to refine your pitch based on your current academic progress. Align your application with the deadline closest to your next tuition payment.
• RealismAvoid assuming the bursary covers 100% of costs. Instead, create a detailed budget showing how this specific grant fills a gap in your funding. Show the funder exactly how their investment helps you reach your economic potential.

Questions students ask

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