Campus Life

Financial awards

Information about financial assistance for Indigenous students

We’re committed to helping you find ways to fund your education. Below is some information about scholarships, bursaries and awards, available specifically for Indigenous students.

For a complete listing of scholarships and bursaries, please contact the Indigenous Student Advisor or visit Money Matters.

DALHOUSIE SCHOLARSHIPS

Apart from Dalhousie’s regular merit-based entrance scholarships, some are specifically for Indigenous students:

The Indigenous Student Centre Emergency Bursary

The Indigenous Student Centre offers a great space for Indigenous students to gather, meet other students, access supports and services, and engage with programming. While the ISC offers space, services, and programs that attract many students, it is also important to recognize that throughout the school year students can be faced with unexpected financial needs. These can range from academic support in the form of tutors, to not meeting a bill, to travelling home for an emergency. The Indigenous Student Centre is offering a small once-per-term bursary to students experiencing financial need. Funds are limited (Bursary Maximum $250)

Eligibility:

  • Dalhousie registered Indigenous student. (Kings students not eligible)
  • Full-time (9 credit hours) students will be prioritized with part-time students on a case-by-case basis
  • Students are eligible once per term.

Application form

Email mgraveline@dal.ca to make an appointment (in-person or virtual) with the ISC Student Advisor to discuss other options. 

Dalhousie Indigenous Graduate Scholarship

  • Valued at $15,000/year
  • Awarded annually to an Indigenous/Aboriginal student who has either recently started or is planning to pursue graduate studies at Dalhousie. More information available on this site

First Nations & Indigenous Black Students Scholarships (Undergraduate)

  • $3,000 renewable entrance scholarships
  • available to First Nations and Indigenous Black students from the Maritime provinces

Nova Scotia Black and First Nations Graduate Entrance Scholarships

  • $15,000 renewable scholarships
  • available to Nova Scotia Black and First Nations graduate students (master’s or doctoral level)

Morris Saffron Award

  • available to Status or Non-Status Indigenous graduates of Dalhousie’s Transition Year Program

The University of King’s College scholarships

  • available specifically for Indigenous students studying at the University of King’s College, including the Dr. Carrie Best Scholarship, the Alumni Media Scholarship, and the ATV Media Scholarship

BURSARIES AND AWARDS

Dalhousie bursaries

Dalhousie can also help all eligible students with some financial support through small, non-repayable bursaries.

Indspire bursaries and scholarships

Indspire, an Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people, also offer bursaries and scholarships.

Deadline: Early February

NSHA bursary

The Nova Scotia Health Authority (Central Zone: Halifax area and West Hants) is continuing with its Diversity Bursary program as a step to creating a more diverse workforce that better represents the communities we serve. 

Post-secondary students who identify as African Nova Scotian, Aboriginal, immigrant and/or as persons with a disability are invited to apply for a diversity bursary. Students must be:

  • continuing full- or part-time studies for the 2018-19 academic year in a health profession
  • attending a Canadian post-secondary institution that is recognized by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
  • a resident of Halifax Regional Municipality or West Hants

Deadline: TBA

NWAC Helen Bassett Commemorative Student Award

Every year, Native Women's Association of Canada coordinates the Helen Bassett Commemorative Award granted to four young Indigenous women in the amount of $1,000 each. The awards are made possible by the generous donation of Helen Bassett. Helen Bassett was an Ontario artist and an amazing woman who tried to make a difference as an individual and engage the government into fair solutions to Aboriginal land claim issues.

Deadline: February

RBC Aboriginal Student Awards Program

Since 1992, Rotal Bank of Canada has offered the Aboriginal Student Awards Program to students currently enrolled in post-secondary studies. This scholarship is intended to support Aboriginal students who have at least two years remaining in their post-secondary studies.

Deadline: TBA

 

STEAM Horizon Awards

STEAM Horizon Awards are available to Canadian students aged 16-18 who will be/are pursuing post secondary studies in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts or Math at a Canadian university.

Five prizes of $25,000 (2 of which will be awarded to Indigenous students).

Deadline: Mid January

Loretta Saunders Community Scholarship Fund

The Loretta Saunders Community Scholarship Fund is a scholarship fund to support indigenous women in their chosen field of study.

Eligibility Criteria

Indigenous women from Mi’kma’ki, Nunatsiavut, or Atlantic Canada who are attending a post-secondary institution in Canada and who have completed the equivalent of one year of post-secondary education in the previous two years are invited to apply.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be adjudicated upon the basis of their scholastic achievement, service to indigenous communities, community potential and financial need.

Award Value: Awards can range from $500 to $2,000.

Deadline for Applications: July 30th.

NIB Trust Fund

The NIB Trust Fund supports education programs aimed at healing, reconciliation and knowledge building. Funds are available to First Nation and Métis individuals. Visit the website for more information.

 

SCHOLARSHIP AND BURSARY SEARCH TOOLS

Additional scholarships and bursaries can be found through search tools such as the Government of Canada Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool and Scholarships Canada.