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
Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Awards
The Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Fund recognizes Indigenous students who are making a difference in eliminating the barriers of racism, sexism, violence, and indifference in society. The scholarship fund was established to honour her memory and provide financial support to Indigenous persons residing in Manitoba who are enrolled in post-secondary studies in Manitoba. Awards are granted in the amount of $2,000 each.
Application deadline: October 31st
University of Manitoba awards for Indigenous Students
Jack Armstrong Memorial Bursary
One bursary for a full-time Indigenous student enrolled in any year of study in the Undergraduate Medical Education Program who is in good standing and has demonstrated financial need.
In order to be considered, students will be required to complete the University of Manitoba General Bursary Application.
Application deadline: Oct. 1
Marjorie Blankstein Indigenous Leadership Scholarship
For a full-time Indigenous student participating in Indigenous leadership and/or mentorship programs at the University of Manitoba.
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
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 self-declared as a First Nations, Métis or Inuit person from Canada (preference given to Canadian First Nation Treaty Status students), has achieved a minimum degree point average or 2.5 and is involved in, or connected to, the indigenous culture in their community.
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
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.
Louis Riel Bursaries at the University of Manitoba
Louis Riel Bursary application for the 2023/24 academic session (Fall and Winter):
Available to qualifying Red River Métis students studying at the University of Manitoba registered in undergraduate or graduate programs as full-time or part-time students in the 2023/24 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. The University of Manitoba General Bursary Application is available through Aurora Student and the Louis Riel Bursary Application is available through the Riel Institute.
Application deadline: October 1
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, 2023
The Towie Scholarship
This fund was established to enable young Indigenous Canadians to fulfill their dreams and inspire others within their communities and is renewable. Applicants for this award must:
(1) have self-declared as First Nations, Métis or Inuit people from Canada;
(2) have successfully completed their first year (minimum 24 credit hours) of an undergraduate degree program in any faculty, college, or school at the University of Manitoba;
(3) have achieved a minimum degree grade point average of 3.5; and
(4) in the ensuing academic year, are registered full-time (minimum 80% course load) in the second year of their undergraduate degree program in any faculty, college, or school at the University of Manitoba.
Application deadline: November 1st - application now available
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.
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