Indigenous Student Awards
CMU awards Indigenous Student Bursaries of between $1,000–$3,000 to incoming students. Students need to apply to be considered. The number of bursaries awarded and the amount of the bursary will depend on the funds available for the year. Qualifications include submitting a personal statement of need, a short essay, a nomination form, and meeting CMU's admission requirements.
Eligibility
Is completing a high school diploma or has no more than 30 credit hours of post-secondary education.
- Plans to enroll in full-time studies at CMU (minimum 9 credit hours per semester).
- Students must have a CMU Entrance Average of no less than 75%
- Has demonstrated unmet financial need.
- To be eligible for the Indigenous Student Bursary, a student must self-identify as an indigenous person in Canada. For the purpose of this bursary, an indigenous person in Canada:
- Is an aboriginal person, as recognized in the Constitution Act, 1982 (status card or Metis registry where applicable); OR
- A person who identifies with a First Nations, Indigenous, Metis, or Inuit cultural and/or ancestral background in Canada
Application Requirements
The following are required to be considered for the Indigenous Student Bursary:
- Submit a 500-word essay on “Why is learning in community important?” or “How can learning within a community benefit your university education?”
- Submit a breakdown of funds and statement of need.
- Have one nomination form submitted by someone closely involved in their current community (e.g. teacher, elder, guidance counselor, employer, youth leader, volunteer coordinator, pastor, mentor).
Application forms and required materials must be submitted by February 28 to be eligible. Application forms are available to current CMU applicants on their application portal.
Returning students can also apply for CMU Indigenous Bursaries through the CMU general bursary application. This application will be available to current students on the CMU populi student portal. Applications are usually accepted between mid-April and July 20 for fall semester and by between early October to November 10 for winter semester.
CMU Indigenous awards are funded by many donors including the following donor funds:
- Hiebert Financial Aid for Indigenous Students
- Riverton Fellowship Circle Indigenous Bursary
- A. & M. Hildebrand Family Bursary
Indspire Canada's Building Brighter Futures program has a variety of scholarships and bursaries available to Indigenous students attending post-secondary institutions. CMU is an Indspire partner! Visit the Indspire website for information and applications. CMU has a general award and another for business students as part of the Indspire funding opportunities.
Intake deadlines are August 1 and November 1.
Indigenous Services Canada provides funding to First Nations and Band Councils or their education authority organizations that administer the Post-secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) for status First Nation members residing both on-and off-reserve.
For more specific information please contact your band office or the regional office of ISC.
Manitoba Métis Federation Post-Secondary Education Support Program: The program is administered by the Manitoba Métis Federation. The MMF is responsible for determining the funding and selection criteria. The Government of Canada provides funding for this program as part of a funding agreements with the MMF.
Eligible costs covered by the program may include tuition, books, travel support and living allowances. Due date for applications: March 1.
Business Council of Manitoba Aboriginal Education Awards: CMU is a recognized institution with the Business Council of Manitoba. BCM also offers an education awards specifically to Indigenous students studying at post-secondary institutions. Due date for applications: May 31.
Printed from: ftp.cmu.ca/financial/indigenous-students