Awards for Indigenous students

UBC Awards for Indigenous Students

The UBC Awards for Indigenous Students include scholarships and bursaries. When a student applies for these awards, they are considered for both merit and need-based awards.

  • Scholarships are awards that recognize academic, community, or athletic achievement.
  • Bursaries are based on financial need. Student awards based solely on financial need are not included on your official transcript.

You can find a full list of how UBC defines different types of awards in the Academic Calendar. There are also external scholarships and bursaries available for Indigenous students outlined on the page below.

Read UBC Indigenous award descriptions

Eligibility requirements

To be considered for UBC Indigenous awards, you must meet all the following requirements:

  • You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status.
  • You are an Indigenous student. 
  • You will submit the application for intended Indigenous awards by the award program deadline.
  • You are enrolled in a full-time course load studying on the Vancouver campus.
  • You meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in UBC’s Regulations Governing University Awards.
  • You demonstrate financial need to be considered for bursaries. 

Unclassified or qualifying students are not eligible for these awards. Read through the Academic Calendar information on the classification of students.

UBC uses the term "Indigenous" in place of "Aboriginal" as held in the spirit of its use in section 35(2) of the Canadian Constitution, to refer inclusively to members of First Nations, status and non-status, treaty and non-treaty Indians, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canada, recognizing that many people prefer the terms that are specific and traditional to their communities.

Additional requirements

Some awards have additional requirements, which are listed in the application. Please read the award descriptions before you start your application, to better target the awards you qualify for.

If you are eligible for bursaries, submit an application to the UBC Bursary Program by the deadline to be considered for UBC General Bursary at the same time. Application to the general bursary program at UBC is helpful in determining your financial need. An application to the UBC Bursary Program is not required for your application to UBC Awards for Indigenous Students.

Before you apply

There are detailed instructions on the application form. Follow these steps before you apply:

  1. Make sure you meet all general and specific eligibility requirements for applicable awards.
  2. Prepare written statements describing your personal situation, financial need, and connection to any Indigenous UBC campus communities. Include any additional information for specific awards as requested.
  3. If you are applying for bursaries, consider applying for the UBC Bursary Program before the deadline. Application to this program helps establish your financial need. but is not required to apply for UBC Indigenous Awards.

Timeline

  • Applications open: Tue, Aug 15, 2023
  • Applications close: Fri, Sep 15, 2023

External awards for Indigenous students

In addition to UBC Awards for Indigenous Students, there are scholarships and bursaries available from non-profit organizations, private companies, and other award search portals. Visit the specific award pages linked below for details, deadlines, and how to apply.

Some awards may require a personal statement or a short essay describing why you are a suitable candidate. Many may be based on your financial need, academic merit, or both. View the list of awards below in order of application deadline.

List of external awards

Award name Application deadline
Scholarships Canada Various
Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool Various
Metis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategy Varies by province; applications received first are assessed first.
Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy Contact Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Post-Secondary Student Support Program July 1, March 15
NWAC Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Indspire: Bursaries and Scholarship Awards August 1, November 1, February 1
Primary Indigenous Student Bursary August 1
ATCO Indigenous Education Awards Program August 15
Canada Post Awards for Indigenous Students August 31
Ch'nook Scholars Program for Sauder students Check in Fall 2023 for 2023/24 intake.
New Relationship Trust Foundation Scholarships October
Health Sciences Association of B.C Aboriginal Bursary Award Applications open in November
Helen Bassett Commemorative Student Award Applications open in Spring/Summer
Michael Melancon-Koffend Student Award Applications open in Spring/Summer
Nellie Makokis Carlson Commemorative Student Award Applications open in Spring/Summer
BC Scholarship Society April 20
First People’s Cultural Council Youth Empowered Speakers Grants April 25
Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF): National Awards Program May 15
TD Bridging the Gap Scholarship May 16
BC Hydro Indigenous Scholarships and Bursaries May 31
Pelmorex Indigenous Scholarship May 31
Chief Joe Mathias British Columbia Aboriginal Scholarship Fund June 17
Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship June 15
ḴEL,ḴELOŦEN ȻE S,ISTEW̱ December 15

Other financial options

If you need help

From the beginning of your UBC journey until graduation, Enrolment Services Advisors are here to provide support with your finances, including:

  • Creating a financial plan
  • Helping you understand the different funding options
  • Developing a scholarship or award application

All undergraduate students have an assigned Enrolment Services Advisor for personalized advising. If you do not have an assigned advisor, you can email the Indigenous Advising Team at es.indigenous@ubc.ca for help.

  • If you are a prospective, undergraduate, graduate, or post-baccalaureate Indigenous student you can ask questions or book a one-on-one advising appointment by emailing es.indigenous@ubc.ca.
  • During the academic year (September to April), on Tuesdays from 12:00 to 2:30 pm, drop into the UBC First Nations Longhouse to speak with an Enrolment Services Advisor and member of the Indigenous Student Support Team.
  • If you’re a UBC Okanagan student, please contact the UBC-O Indigenous Student Advising Team.

The Indigenous Student Support and Advising Team in Enrolment Services works closely with other teams on campus, including the following:

Applications closed

Check back in summer 2024.