Frequently Asked Questions
Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards Program
Account Access
I no longer have access to my log in details, should I create a new account?
No. Please do not create multiple accounts. The system will prevent you from submitting an application if duplicate accounts or applications are detected. If you need help accessing your existing account, contact the Education Department at or toll-free at 1-855-INDSPIRE (463-7747) ext. 0223.
Application: Eligibility FAQ’s
Where do I get my Indigenous card?
Contact your Indigenous organization’s membership or registry office for more information.
Can I apply if I am attending school part-time?
The application is intended for students meeting the minimum course-load requirement of 60% (or 40% with a disability-related accommodation). Exceptions are limited and only select agreements include part-time eligibility.
Can I apply if I am studying outside of Canada?
Students studying outside of Canada must be enrolled in a graduate-level program to be eligible.
How often can I apply?
Students only need to apply once per academic year. The application opens on May 1st.
Am I eligible if I am attending school in fellowship or residency program?
Students enrolled in a fellowship or residency program are not eligible.
Application: Overview
What are the deadlines?
Applications are accepted continuously from May 1st through February 1st; however, consideration dates are August 1st, November 1st and February 1st. The earlier you apply, the more funding opportunities you may be considered for.
Who can I contact if I have questions about my application?
To contact the Education Department directly:
- Email: education@indspire.ca
- Toll-Free: 1-855-INDSPIRE (463-7747) ext. 0223
Am I required to volunteer/participate in my Indigenous community to be eligible for an award?
Volunteer experience from any setting is valuable to your application.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Classroom monitors
- Organizing study groups/sporting/art/writing/events
- Coaching/volunteering for sports teams
- Charity fundraisers at school
- Student council/clubs
- Volunteering at your child(ren’s) school events
- Participating in ceremony
- With organizations such as the SPCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, local hospitals, churches, and similar community-based organizations
This area is viewed and scored, students who do not have any hours will not receive a score in this section and lower their chance of being successful.
How are my monthly expenses calculated?
Indspire uses standard monthly living costs based on Canada Student Loans. When you enter your province, family status, and number of dependents (if applicable), your living expenses are automatically calculated and included in your financial need. You do not need to enter separate amounts for rent or other living costs.
What if I do not have a financial need?
To be eligible for an award through Indspire, all students are required to show a financial need. While Indspire also offers scholarships that are not based on financial need, these opportunities are very limited.
What if my circumstances change?
If your circumstances change after submitting your application, it is important to contact the Education Department as soon as possible. Staff will advise you on how the change may affect your application and/or the Jury’s decision.
Do I need to reapply every year?
Yes. Parts of your application are cloned from the previous year for your convenience, but not everything is copied. Each academic year, you must log in, review your draft application, update your information and documents, and submit it for the new academic year.
Application: Documentation
What documents do I need to submit with my application?
Students are required to submit the following three documents:
1. Proof of Indigenous Registration:
- A photocopy of the front and back of your valid Status Card, Métis card or Inuit Enrolment card in accordance with Indspire’s Policy.
2. Proof of Enrolment:
- This document must confirm full-time or part-time enrolment for the Fall 2026/Winter 2027 academic year.
3. Grades:
- The document must include final marks from your most recent, completed academic year/program (prior to Fall 2026).
All documents MUST contain:
- Your name,
- The school’s name,
- And the academic term(s).
Can I submit my letter of acceptance as proof of enrolment?
No. Students must provide official documentation confirming enrolment to complete their application. Acceptable documentation includes a letter from the Registrar’s Office or a class schedule that clearly shows the student’s name, the school’s name, and the applicable school term(s).
An acceptance letter may be submitted temporarily as a placeholder until official enrolment documentation becomes available; however, the application will not be considered complete until official proof of active course registration is provided.
Please note that documents such as fee statements, intent-to-enrol letters, or student contracts are not accepted as proof of enrolment, as they do not confirm active registration in courses.
What if I don’t have my marks?
Students are required to submit grades to qualify. If you do not have a copy, contact the Registrar’s Office at your most recent educational institution to obtain your grades.
What if I wasn’t enrolled and do not have marks from the 2025-2026 academic year?
Students who were not enrolled for the 2025-2026 academic year must provide a copy of their final marks from their most recent completed or program prior to.
What do I do if I missed the deadline to provide my outstanding documents as outlined in my Incomplete email?
If you missed the deadline outlined in your Incomplete email, you may still submit your outstanding documents at any time before the application officially closes on February 1st. However, the sooner you provide the required documentation, the sooner your application can be reviewed and considered by the jury.
As year progresses, funding becomes more limited. While applications received after deadlines will carry over to the next review cycle, we strongly encourage you to complete your application as soon as possible, as funds are awarded on a limited basis.
Selection Process
How does Indspire decide how to award bursaries, scholarships and awards?
Applications are assessed on financial need, merit and community participation.
- Awards are assessed on financial need, merit and community participation.
- Bursaries are assessed on financial need, merit and community participation.
- Scholarships are assessed on merit.
How much will I receive?
Amounts vary based on several factors, including the assessed financial need of applicants, the number of applicants, fields of study, and the availability of funds.
Notification of Awards
When will I know the results of my application?
Due to the high volume of applications, only successful students will be notified.
You only need to complete one application per academic year to be considered for all available bursaries, scholarships, and awards.
Once your application is complete, it remains active for the entire academic year (September 2026 to August 2027); if your application is not awarded at the first applied deadline, it will automatically be carried forward and considered at subsequent deadlines until the application cycle closes on February 1, 2027.
Notifications are issued to successful students at the end of the month, from September 2026 through until March 2027. Please note that these timelines are and subject to change.
Can I appeal a decision of the Jury?
Decisions of the Jury are final. If you did not receive an award, Indspire will work with you to strengthen your application for the next application deadline.
Where should I check if I haven’t received an email?
Be sure to monitor your junk/spam folders for any updates regarding your application. However, please note that only successful students are notified.
Award Disbursement
Do I need to provide a copy of my proof of enrolment for the award acceptance process?
No. Students are not required to submit supporting enrolment documentation to accept their award. You will only need to select a confirmation of enrollment statement as outlined in the award acceptance process.
Can my award be deferred?
Awards cannot be deferred. All awards allocated by the Jury must be applied to the program of study and academic year specified on the application form.
How are funds disbursed?
All awards are disbursed by electronic funds transfer directly to the student’s personal bank account.
Certain awards must be applied directly to a student’s academic account. In these cases, students will be notified if their award will be transferred to their educational institution.
If my application is successful, when will I receive my funds?
Award are processed and transferred to a student’s bank account within four to six weeks from the date of submission of banking information.
Why do I need to provide my SIN?
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency recognize awards as income; therefore, Indspire will issue you a T4A .
