Indigenous student awards
A range of financial aid opportunities for Indigenous students are available, both through the University of Manitoba and external partners. These programs improve access to education and increase representation of Indigenous students in various programs of study.
The majority of scholarships and awards at the University of Manitoba are automatically awarded each year based on academic achievement (no application required). If you are a Canadian Indigenous student and have not previously declared your ancestry or want to change your response, you will need to do the following:
- Log in to Aurora
- Select Enrolment & Academic Records
- Select Declarations
- Select Canadian Indigenous Self Declaration
Award eligibility:
- Scholarships are based on academic achievement. Most require that you complete a minimum of 24 credit hours for each fall/winter academic year.
- Bursaries are based on financial need. Most require at least 18 credit hours for each fall/winter academic year.
- The Summer Term does not count towards credit hours for automatic scholarship and bursary consideration.
Awards and funding bodies for Indigenous students
The following organizations have scholarships and bursaries designated specifically for Indigenous students.
Manitoba Hydro awards, bursaries and scholarships
Manitoba Hydro offers awards, bursaries and scholarships to high school, college and university students enrolled in programs that support Manitoba Hydro’s operational requirements.
Business Council of Manitoba Aboriginal Education Awards
The Business Council of Manitoba offers awards valued at $3,000 each for Indigenous students who attend university. You are eligible if:
- you are of Indigenous ancestry;
- are a citizen of Canada and permanent resident of Manitoba for the last 12 months;
- plan to enrol at the U of M in the upcoming academic year;
- maintain full-time status (at least a 60 per cent course load);
- are in need of financial assistance.
Application deadline: March 31
Visit the Business Council of Manitoba Aboriginal Education Awards website
Indspire
Indspire provides scholarships, bursaries and awards to thousands of Indigenous students every year.
Application deadlines: Feb. 1, Aug. 1 and Nov. 1
RBC Indigenous Student Awards Program
The RBC Indigenous Student Awards Program assists Indigenous students to complete post-secondary education. Selected students are awarded up to $4,000 each academic year for two to four years to use towards tuition, textbooks, supplies and living expenses.
Application deadline: January 5, 2022
Assiniboine Credit Union
Assiniboine Credit Union awards four bursaries of $2,000 annually to students of Indigenous ancestry who are enrolled in a post-secondary business program or already studying in a business program.
Application deadline: Jan. 31
University of Manitoba awards for Indigenous Students
Marjorie Blankstein Indigenous Leadership Scholarship
For a full-time Indigenous student participating in Indigenous leadership and/or mentorship programs at the University of Manitoba.
Chloe Patricia Jean Bushie Memorial Scholarship
One scholarship is available for a full-time student in any year of study in any faculty, college or school at the University of Manitoba who has First Nation Treaty status, has achieved a minimum degree point average or 2.5 and is involved in, or connected to, the indigenous culture in their community.
UMSU Award for Indigenous Community Leaders
For full-time or part-time Canadian Indigenous students enrolled in any undergraduate year of study in any faculty, school or college who are leaders in their communities.
BMO Financial Group Indigenous Leader of Tomorrow Scholarships
These scholarships, valued at up to $16,000 ($4,000 in each year for four years of an undergraduate degree), are designed to recognize and encourage exceptional Indigenous high school graduates from across Canada who combine outstanding leadership potential with academic giftedness.
Application deadline: Dec. 1
Learn more about the BMO Financial Group Indigenous Leader of Tomorrow Scholarships
Louis Riel Bursaries at the University of Manitoba
Louis Riel Bursary application for the 2022/23 academic session (Fall and Winter):
Available to qualifying Métis students studying at the University of Manitoba registered in undergraduate or graduate programs as full-time or part-time students in the 2022/23 academic session. In order to be considered, students will be required to complete both the University of Manitoba General Bursary Application and the Louis Riel Bursary Application. Both will be available in early August with an October 1st deadline date.
Application deadline: October 3 - application is now available
The Louis Riel Spring/Summer Bursary application for 2022 is now closed. The application for the 2023 Summer term will be available in early May 2023 with a June 1st deadline date. To be considered for the Louis Riel Bursary, eligible Métis students must be registered in a minimum of 6 credit hours between May 1 and August 31 but are NOT required to be government student aid recipients during the spring/summer term. The application must be submitted by email to the Financial Aid & Awards Office by the application deadline date of June 1st. (Please note that the application process for the 2022/23 Fall/Winter application is different as described below.)
Derek Riley Undergraduate Entrance Bursary
One bursary will be offered annually to an undergraduate student from a First Nations community in Manitoba that is north of the 53rd parallel who has been admitted to University 1, I.H. Asper School of Business, Faculty of Engineering or the Faculty of Science. Eligible applicants must have self-declared as First Nations, Métis or Inuit and be an active member of a Rec and Read Mentorship Program. The $15,000 per year bursary is renewable in the second, third and fourth year of study provided the recipients maintains eligibility.
Application Deadline : June 30, 2022
Anne and Paul Mahon Rec and Read/Post-Secondary Club (PSC) Bursary Application
Up to 4 renewable bursaries (each valued at $4,000 per year), are available to Indigenous students who have successfully completed either the Post-Secondary Club or the Rec and Read program (information and eligibility criteria are included in the attached application): Deadline June 1st. Successful recipients will be contacted by email by the end of July.
Bursary funds will be disbursed to tuition fees prior to the fall term deadline in October. If the bursary amount does not cover the full amount due for the fall term, it is the recipient's responsibility to pay the remaining amount owed by the fee deadline (to prevent late fee charges). If a successful recipient's tuition fees are being covered through sponsorship, a refund cheque for the amount of the bursary may be requested by the student after the fall term course revision deadline date.
Kiwanis Bursary for Indigenous Students
For a full-time Canadian Indigenous student with demonstrated community service and financial need.
In order to be considered, students will be required to complete the University of Manitoba General Bursary Application.
Application deadline: Oct. 1
Additional funding opportunities
Explore these funding options to find more ways to finance your education.
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Entrance awards
When you apply to UM, you will automatically be considered for a wide range of scholarships based on your high school record.
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Bursaries
The University offers a variety of bursaries to students who have a demonstrated financial need and a minimum academic standing.
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Scholarships for current students
Every year, UM students are eligible for thousands of scholarships based on academic achievements, areas of interest, community involvement, cultural background and more.
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Financial aid
If you're facing financial hardship, or need support to pay your expenses as a student, there are programs available to help you. Apply for a loan, find on-campus employment or use our on-campus food bank.
Contact us
Financial Aid and Awards
Room 422 University Centre
65 Chancellor’s Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
204-474-9531
204-474-7543