There are more than 60,000 scholarships, bursaries and awards available from organizations across Canada. We have compiled some information here to help you get started.
National Aboriginal Acheivement Foundation
www.naaf.ca
The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) offers financial assistance to Aboriginal students through bursaries and scholarships in three major areas:
Post-Secondary Education (Application Deadline June 1, 2009)
Health Careers (Application Deadline June 1, 2009)
Fine Arts and Cultural Projects (Application Deadline May 1, 2009)
Bursary Criteria:
There are no set bursary amounts. Each applicant is assessed independently and awarded bursaries based on established criteria including:
* Financial need
* Academic performance
* Connection to the Aboriginal community
* Commitment to the field of study
Scholarship Criteria:
Scholarships are allocated by NAAF in the Aboriginal Health Careers Programs. The key criterion is based on academic achievement. Those who attain a grade point average of 80% or higher receive an award of $1,000.
Visit their site at www.naaf.ca/html/education_programs_e.html for all the downloadable forms and full information.
Aboriginal Multi-Media Society (AMMSA)
www.ammsa.com
They have some great articles with tips and strategies on researching and applying for the many available scholarships and awards.
Scholarships Canada
www.scholarshipscanada.com
A great resource site. Always current and frequently updated, this site provides information on every possible Canadian scholarship and award, including awards provided by directly from Canadian colleges and universities.
Student Awards
www.studentawards.com
Another great site. Very interactive and helps match YOU to the awards available to Canadian students.
Aboriginal Students Award Program
www.rbc.com/uniquecareers/campus/aboriginal-student-awards.html
RBC Financial group provides aboriginal scholarships each year to five students.
CanLearn Interactive
www.canlearn.ca
Government of Canada site providing students with financial tools and resources for planning their education. Includes loan and scholarship information.
Canadian Millennium Scholarships Foundation
www.millenniumscholarships.ca
The Millennium Foundation is funded by the Government of Canada and gives out $285 million in millennium bursaries to Canadian students each year. Bursaries are awarded on the basis of need.
Fastweb
www.fastweb.com
The Internet's leading scholarship search service with a focus on US colleges.
Girl Guides of Canada
www.girlguides.ca
Variety of different scholarships are provided through the Girl Guides program.
Mensa Canada Scholarship Program
www.mensacanada.ca
Two or three scholarships are awarded each year based on submitted essays.
Reginald K Groome Memorial Scholarships - Scouts Canada
www.scouts.ca
The Canadian scouts award up to twenty-five undergraduate scholarships each year.