Wesco Indigenous National Scholarship

Funding to help Indigenous students across Canada cover post-secondary education costs.

Published by G Paul · last checked August 31, 2026

Next deadline

Nov 1, 2026

Level

College, Undergraduate, Graduate, Trades, Certificate

Open to

Across Canada

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Indigenous affiliation
Enrollment in a Canadian post-secondary institution (college, university, technical college, or apprenticeship program)
Academic merit and performance
Details regarding your involvement in and contribution to the community

About this award

No fixed dollar amount is posted — contact Wesco 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 needs financial help to afford your schooling. 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 an application portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Wesco how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. They do consider your financial need, your academic performance, and how you contribute to your community. Ask Wesco 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 Wesco 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 across Canada, such as a college, university, technical college, or apprenticeship program. You can be at any level of study. While any program is acceptable, first preference is given to students studying business, finance, accounting, engineering, or skilled trades. You must show demonstrated financial need to qualify.

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

Preferred, not required

Preference for students in business, finance, accounting, engineering or skilled trades

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
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 detailed breakdown of your tuition gaps and living expenses to prove exactly why the funding is needed.
SupportAvoid using a generic character reference. Instead, secure letters from community leaders or teachers who can specifically describe your contributions to the community and your academic merit.
StrategyAvoid ignoring the preferred fields of study. If you are in business, finance, accounting, engineering, or skilled trades, highlight those credentials prominently since you have first preference.
RealismAvoid assuming the award covers everything. Since the amount isn't public, treat this as a top-up bursary rather than your primary source of funding while you wait for confirmation from Wesco.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

Applications close on November 1, 2026. Submit a day or two early: application sites get busy at the end.

Can international students apply?

Check the award's official page for the citizenship rules.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Aug 31, 2026