Bursaries & Scholarships

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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 $153 million in financial support through more than 49,000 bursaries, scholarships and awards to 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 2021 to August 2022 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.

Apply Now

Roberta Jamieson Emergency Fund for Indigenous Students

Indspire recognizes Indigenous post-secondary students may experience extreme hardships throughout their academic career. To assist eligible students, Indspire has established the Roberta Jamieson Emergency Fund for Indigenous Students seeking emergency bursaries for short-term relief.

If you are:

Currently being funded through Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards program OR have completed an application prior to requesting this emergency bursary.
Requesting emergency funding; emergency situations include house fire, displacement, need to travel home for family emergencies or death, illness that requires immediate medical treatments for themselves or dependents, injury, theft or natural disaster.;
Enrolled in program that is 4 weeks or more in length;
Going to a post-secondary school that is accredited or recognized by a provincial ministry or the federal government in Canada or pursuing graduate studies outside of Canada; and
A member of a recognized Canadian First Nations, Inuit, or Métis band and/or community;

If you find yourself in the emergency situation outlined in the guidelines above, please contact Miranda Curley for more information at education@indspire.ca.

Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards with unique deadlines

Ted Rogers Scholarship Fund For Indigenous Students

The Ted Rogers Scholarship through Indspire is for Canadian Indigenous students beginning their first year of a full-time college or undergraduate program (up to four year program). It is a renewable award of $2,500 per year for students enrolled in a minimum two year post-secondary program to a maximum of four years. While enrolled in post-secondary students must maintain a full-time course load to receive the renewed support each year.

Deadline: February 1, 2022.

Apply Now

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.

Apply Now

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).