Build your own bright future with just one application!
Hundreds of bursaries, scholarships, and awards. Are you ready to apply?
Since 1996, Indspire has provided over $248 million in financial support to more than 75,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students – just like you!
Bursaries and Scholarships for Post-Secondary Education and Skilled Trades
Full and part time studies in college, university, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and technology programs for the September 2025 – August 2026 academic year.
There is one application for all of Indspire’s bursaries, scholarships, and awards (with a few exceptions that you’ll see below). You only need to complete the application once to be considered for all applicable bursaries, scholarships, and awards.
Deadlines: August 1, November 1, February 1 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
If you would like to review our Program Policy, you can access the document here.
The Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards program is made possible thanks to generous supporters and federal and provincial governments. While we work to increase the amount of funding available each year, due to the growth in the number of applications, we’re not able to fund every student that applies.
Bursaries and Scholarships with unique deadlines
Petro-Canada Award for Indigenous High School Students
The Petro-Canada Award for Indigenous Students is for Canadian First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students who are enrolled in a Canadian high school program and are under the age of 19. This is a one-time award of $700.
Requirements:
- Enrolled full-time in a high school within Canada.
- Have a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number.
- Students must be under the age of 19 and a Canadian citizen.
Deadline to apply is July 1, 2025.
Horatio Alger Indigenous Achievement Scholarship
The Horatio Alger Indigenous Achievement Scholarship is for Indigenous students starting a four-year post-secondary program in the fall. This is a renewable award of $2,500. While enrolled in post-secondary students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and a full-time course load to receive the renewed support each year.
Requirements:
- First Nation (status and non-status), Inuit and Métis students must be in their final year of high school.
- Students whose home Indigenous community are in the Northwest or Yukon Territories or Nunavut.
- Enrolled full-time in a high school within Canada at time of application.
- Must be starting in a four-year post-secondary program within Canada full-time in September.
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number.
Deadline to apply is August 1, 2025.
Application Walk-Through Video
Need help filling out the application or have questions about certain sections? Check out this video for some guidance!
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to submit with my application?
Applicants need to submit three documents:
- Indigenous card (front and back)
- Grades
- Proof of enrolment (registered in classes)
When will I know the results of my application?
Please note that due to the high volume of applications, only successful students will be notified.
Fortunately, you do not need to reapply to the next deadline if you haven’t heard from us. Your application will stay ‘live’ for all three deadlines during the September 2024 to August 2025 academic year. You only need to complete the application once per academic year to be considered for all applicable bursaries, scholarships, and awards.
How much will I receive?
Amounts vary. The amount of a bursary varies according to the assessed financial need of applicants, the number of applicants, fields of study, and the availability of funds.
For more information or if you have any questions, please visit our FAQ page, or email education@indspire.ca or call 1-855-INDSPIRE (463-7747) x0223 (bilingual support x039).
Building Brighter Futures Sponsors
For a complete list of Building Brighter Futures sponsors and supporters, please visit this page. For a complete listing of awards and criteria, please visit indspirefunding.ca.
