Indigenous Student Bursary (Ontario)
Government of Ontario (administered by Ontario public colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes)
- Amount
- $1,000 to $3,500A typical bursary is $1,000 to $3,500. Students with remote travel costs for themselves, a spouse or dependants may receive up to $6,500. Schools can add their own funds and there is no absolute cap.
- Deadline
- No fixed dateDeadlines and documents are set by each school. Check with the financial aid office at the college, university or Indigenous Institute the student attends.
Always confirm the details there before applying.
Not fully confirmed. Some details on this page could not be confirmed on the official site, or official pages disagree. Blank fields mean we could not confirm them. Check the official page before relying on anything here.
About this award
This Ontario bursary helps First Nations, Métis and Inuit students with financial need at Ontario public colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes, including apprenticeship training. Each school runs its own application and sets its own deadlines. Students with high travel costs from remote communities may receive more.
Who can apply
- Self-identifies as an Indigenous person in Canada (First Nations, Métis or Inuit)
- Attending a publicly assisted college or university in Ontario or a recognized Indigenous Institute in Ontario
- Enrolled in an approved academic program or a training program such as an apprenticeship
- Meets OSAP citizenship and Ontario residency rules and the school's financial need criteria
- Separate application from OSAP; an OSAP application is not required
What to submit
- School's Indigenous Student Bursary application
- Signed statement confirming First Nation, Métis or Inuit identity
- Supporting documents as listed by the school
Quick facts
Words you'll see- Type
- Money for school that you usually do not pay back, given mainly because of financial need.
- Category
- Financial need and Identity-based
- Program
- University, College and Apprenticeship
- When to apply
- After starting post-secondary
- Where it applies
- Ontario
- For
- Indigenous students
- The gap between what school costs and what your family is expected to pay. Bursaries and grants often use it.
- Yes
- Paid again in later years of your program, as long as you keep meeting its rules, such as a minimum average.
- No, one-time
- Application cycle
- 2025-26
Sources
Last checked against the official site on Oct 2, 2026.
What the official pages say
"The value of a typical bursary ranges from $1,000 to $3,500"
https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/POCONT1_109272(opens in a new tab)"students with remote travel costs for themselves, their spouse or dependents may receive up to $6,500"
https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/POCONT1_109272(opens in a new tab)"There is no absolute cap on the total value of each bursary."
https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/POCONT1_109272(opens in a new tab)"You self-identify as being an Indigenous person in Canada"
https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/POCONT1_109272(opens in a new tab)"training program (e.g. apprenticeships)"
https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/POCONT1_109272(opens in a new tab)"Application, document and review details for this bursary vary by school."
https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/POCONT1_109272(opens in a new tab)"This bursary is available to self-identified Indigenous students with financial need"
https://www.ontario.ca/page/osap-for-under-represented-learners(opens in a new tab)
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