Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships, and Awards
Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards (BBF) program opens doors through education.
Since 2004, Indspire has provided over $115 million in financial support to more than 37,500 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students. All Building Brighter Futures donations are matched by the Government of Canada allowing us to be double the impact for students. For a complete listing of Building Brighter Futures Supports, please visit indspirefunding.ca.
How BBF is Supporting Students
Our Program is Growing
Our program has more than doubled in the last six years! This year, over 6,000 applications were processed – the highest number of applications ever received!
This year we were able to provide more money for individual First Nation, Inuit and Métis Students
On average, the award amount for 2019-2020 recipients was over $800 higher than last year. This means more money goes to individual First Nation, Inuit and Métis students to help with their education.
Our team continues to work to improve our program, reduce wait times and fund as many students as possible
We have upgraded our student information database to ensure we can quickly match students with awards and make it easier for students to submit applications.
Our focus remains on YOU!
Building Brighter Futures‘ funding model is unlike any other in the country, wherever possible funds are awarded to a student to use as they wish – tuition, childcare, food, cultural support, shelter, travel, etc.
Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards for Post-Secondary Education
Post-Secondary Education Programs
Full and part time studies in college, university, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and technology programs.
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. September 2020 to August 2021 academic year.
Deadlines: August 1, November 1, February 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
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.
Roberta Jamieson Emergency Fund for Indigenous Students
Indspire recognizes Indigenous post-secondary students may experience extreme hardships throughout their academic career. To assist students, Indspire has established the Roberta Jamieson Emergency Fund for Indigenous Students to provide emergency bursaries to eligible students for short-term relief.
Students who find themselves in urgent financial hardship can apply for a bursary of up to $2,500. Situations include house fire, displacement from living accommodations, need to travel home for family emergencies or death, illness that requires immediate medical treatments for themselves or dependents, injury, theft or natural disaster.
To be eligible you currently need to be funded through Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards program OR have completed an application prior to requesting this emergency bursary.
Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards with unique deadlines
Petro-Canada Award for Indigenous Students
The Petro-Canada Award for Indigenous Students is for Canadian Indigenous students enrolled a Canadian high school program. It is a one time award of $750 for students from one of the Indigenous communities listed within the application.
Requirements:
- First Nation (status and non-status) high school students who live in communities listed within the application.
- Enrolled full-time in a high school within Canada.
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number.
- Students must be under the age of 19 and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Deadline to apply is June 1, 2021.
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 $2500. 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 high school students from an Indigenous community in the territories as well as attending school in the Northwest Territories, Yukon Territories, or Nunavut.
- Enrolled full-time in a high school within Canada at time of application.
- 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, 2021.
Canada Post Awards for Indigenous Students
The Canada Post Awards for Indigenous Students celebrate the hard work and determination of Indigenous peoples who have embraced a renewed pursuit of learning. The awards are open to all First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples who have been out of school for one year or more, who have since decided to return to an educational system, and who have now been back at school for at least one year. The Canada Post Awards for Indigenous Students are granted annually to select applicants from across the country.
Deadline to apply is August 31, 2021.
Post-Secondary Education – Skilled Trades
Post-Secondary Education Programs: part-time or full-time certificate or diploma programs (1 month to 4 year programs)
Deadlines: August 1, November 1, February 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
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.
Student Success Stories
Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures program is helping them realize their educational dreams. Hear from students, in their own words, how Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures program is helping them through their educational journey.
Questions?
We can help!
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).
BBF Program Policy
If you would like to review our Program Policy, you can access the document below.
Building Brighter Futures Sponsors
$5 Million +
$2 Million – $4,999,999
$1 Million – $1,999,999
Allan & Gill Gray Foundation
$500,000 – $999,999
The Rick George Family
Robert and Shirley Metka
$250,000 – $499,999
Hilary Pearson Award
$100,000 – $249,999
Anonymous
Manuel and Cheryl Buchwald
Nail Camarta
Joan and Bob Lehman
Moore Ching Fund
New Relationship Trust
Andrew Shore
$25,000 – $99,999
Arthur and Audrey Cutten Foundation
Margaret Atwood
Mel Benson
Canadian National Railway
Church of St. Clement
Dow Chemical
Penny and Bill Eakin
Roberta Jamieson
Kaizen Institute
Pat Kealey
John and Catherine Kelly
Yvonne Mercer
Piikani Youth and Education Foundation
Skylark Benfaction Fund
Trottier Family Foundation
Dan Vetter
Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades and Technology Bursaries
