Indigenous Awards
Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries
As a student at Northwestern Polytechnic, you may be eligible for many scholarships, awards, and bursaries to assist you with your post-secondary education.
Explore AwardsIndigenous Careers Award (ICA)
The Indigenous Careers Award encourages Indigenous Albertans (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit) to pursue and complete post-secondary studies in certificate, diploma, applied degree, and bachelor’s degree programs. Students enrolled in Apprenticeship technical training, integrated training, pre-employment or non-credential programs are not eligible.
For students enrolled in the fall and winter semesters, applications for the Indigenous Careers Award (ICA) open in mid September and close on November 24, 2023. If you continue to meet eligibility requirements, you do not need to reapply for the winter semester.
For students enrolled in the winter semester only, applications for the ICA close on March 1, 2024.
ICA Application FormProgram Specific Internal Awards
Filter by Program
| Award Name | Program | Criteria | No. of | Value | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ovintiv Judy Gauthier Memorial Bursary Ovintiv Services Inc. |
Any | Available to any Northwest Alberta or Northeast BC Indigenous Student. Preference will be given to Indigenous students from theTreaty 8 First Nation. Indigenous students, Metis or Inuit applicants must provide proof of First Nation (status or non-status), Inuit, or Metis status. Must include a Letter of Introduction under 100 words which includes the following 1. Tell us a bit about yourself 2. Why you are a great candidate for this award (highlight career goals, achievements, volunteer), 3. What are some of your past challenges and successes that you will be building from in the future? 4. How will you remain committed to your studies? Letter should be typed and double spaced. Applicants must provide proof of First Nation (status or non-status), Inuit, or Metis status. | 1 | 2000 | Bursary |
| Ovintiv Indigenous Bursary Ovintiv Services Inc. |
Any | Available to any Northwest Alberta or Northeast BC Indigenous Student. Preference will be given to Indigenous students from Treaty 8. First Nation Indigenous students, Metis or Inuit applicants must provide proof of First Nation (status or non-status), Inuit, or Metis status. Must include a Letter of Introduction under 100 words which includes the following 1. Tell us a bit about yourself 2. Why you are a great candidate for this award (highlight career goals, achievements, volunteer), 3. What are some of your past challenges and successes that you will be building from in the future? 4. How will you remain committed to your studies? Letter should be typed and double spaced. Applicants must provide proof of First Nation (status or non-status), Inuit, or Metis status. | 4 | 2000 | Bursary |
| Indigenous Careers Award |
Any | The Indigenous Careers Award is designed to encourage Indigenous Albertans (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit) to pursue and complete post-secondary studies in certificate, diploma, applied degree, and bachelor's degree programs that lead to high-demand career outcomes in Alberta. You must be enrolled in the 2015-16 winter semester in order to be considered for these awards. You must be enrolled in a certificate, diploma, applied or bachelor's degree program. Students enrolled in apprenticeship technical training, integrated training, pre-employment or non-credential programs are not eligible. University transfer programs are only eligible if they are in the program bands described on the application. E.g. General university transfer programs would not be eligible but an education transfer program that leads directly to a Bachelor of Education program would be eligible. Proof of Indigenous Ancestry required. | 56 | 2000 | Other |
| Metis Scholar Awards Rupertsland Institute, Métis Centre of Excellence |
Any | Available to a student of Metis Heritage who has maintained a 2.0 GPA in the Fall Semester and has demonstrated financial need. Applicants cannot also be receiving funding from Rupertsland Institute - Metis Training to Employment Services. MUST include a Rupertsland Institute Representative in Selection Process. Applicants must provide a letter of no more than 400 words outlining their experience with the Metis Community. Applicants must also provide one of the following as proof of Metis heritage Photocopy of Metis Nation of Alberta Card OR Valid membership card at any of the following organizations Metis Settlements of Alberta, Metis Nation of Ontario, Saskatchewan, or British Columbia, or Manitoba Metis Federation OR Photocopy of parent's, aunt's, uncle's, or sibling's valid membership card in any of the above named Metis Organizations. | 5 | 0 | Bursary |
| Pipestone Indigenous Student Entrance Scholarship Pipestone Energy Corp. |
Any | This award is open to a first year Indigenous student in any credit program. *full-ride = tuition & mandatory non-instructional fees as well as books, up to a maximum of $10,000 for the NWP academic year. Use estimated book fees from NWP website. | 1 | 10000 | Entrance |
| TransCanada Education Award TransCanada |
Any | Any post-secondary level program, available to a learner of aboriginal ancestry (status, non-status, Metis, Inuit). Selection based on academic merit, financial need, and statements provided in the application. Emphasis on involvement in the aboriginal community. Please include a letter that outlines what culture in your community means to you, how you are involved in this culture, and how you plan to meet your cultural needs while attending NWP. Include in this letter three tasks you have completed which, when taken together, tell us who you are. | 1 | 1000 | Bursary |
| TransCanada Pipelines Ltd Aboriginal Bursary TransCanada Pipelines |
Any | Available to Aboriginal students (status, non-status, Metis, C-31, or Inuit) who are in a full time program or an apprenticeship program at the Fairview Campus. Awarded on the basis of financial need, satisfactory academic achievement, and to a student pursuing an occupational goal and /or a career program requiring post -secondary studies. Applicants must be Alberta residents. | 2 | 625 | Bursary |
| Viterra Scholarship-Electrical Viterra Inc. |
Apprenticeship Electrician | Awarded to student with highest grade upon completion of third year. Where possible, one award will go to an indigenous student. Average calculated using AIT theory mark and NWP theory (use practical in case of a tie). | 2 | 2000 | NWP Awarded |
| CAPP-EPAC Commerce Scholarship CAPP-EPAC Scholarship Fund |
Bachelor of Commerce | Awarded in year of transfer. Selection based on academic merit with preference given to female or available to a student of Indigenous ancestry (status, non-status, Metis, Inuit). Consideration will be given to a fair and equitable distribution of award funds. Student must be continuing full-times studies in the next academic year of the program. | 2 | 4000 | NWP Awarded |
| Viterra Scholarship-Business Viterra Inc. |
Business Administration | Entrance award for a student with the highest High School average upon admission to the Business Administration program. Where possible, one award will go to an Indigenous student. | 2 | 1000 | Entrance |
External Awards
In addition to the Northwestern Polytechnic student awards program, many other groups and organizations offer Indigenous-focused awards, scholarships, and bursaries to help you pay for your Education.
Follow the web links provided in the table below to access award details and criteria. Please note that Northwestern Polytechnic does not play a role in collecting applications or distributing funds. We are also not responsible for web content beyond the links provided in the table.
| Award | Deadline | No. Awarded | Value | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigstone Education Post Secondary Sponsorship | Open | Varies | Varies | Bigstone Cree Nation member-Indigenous |
| The Sam Bull Memorial Scholarship | 2024/02/15 | Varies | Varies | Indigenous |
| TD Scholarship For Indigenous Peoples | 2023/11/6 | 25 | Varies | Indigenous Students |
| Crowe MacKay LLP No Limits Award | 2024/01/31 | 1 | $3000 | Indigenous Business students in 3rd or 4th year |
| Alex Tutschek FCPA, FCA award for Indigenous Post Secondary Achievement | 2024/01/31 | 3 | $1500 | Indigenous Business Students |
| Alex Tutschek FCPA, FCA award for Mature Indigenous Students | 2024/01/31 | 3 | $1500 | Mature Indigenous Students pursuing a CPA designation |
| Telus Award for Indigenous Post Secondary Success | 2024/01/31 | 1 | $2500 | Indigenous- 3rd or 4th year Business Students |
| Indigenous Business Student Award | 2024/01/31 | 1 | $2500 | Indigenous Business Student |
| Skills Development Program Education | Open | Varies | Varies | Indigenous, Residence of NWT |
| Delia Gray Memorial Scholarship | 2023/10/31 | 2 | $1,000 | Indigenous/Any area of study |
| Honourable Pearl Calahasen Scholarship | 2023/10/31 | 2 | $1,000 | Indigenous/Any area of study |
| Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program | 2023/11/15 | Varies | Varies | Inuvialuit Beneficiaries, Indigenous |
| First Nation, Metis and Inuit Bursary | 2023/11/15 | Varies | Varies | Indigenous |
| Eaton Indigenous Clean Energy Scholarship 2023 | 2023/10/31 | 2 | $5000 | Electrical, Indigenous, Internship included |
| Freehorse Family Wellness Society | 2023/10/15 | Multiple | Varies | Indigenous students-Winter term (Jan-Apr) |
| Inuvialuit Education Foundation | 2023/11/15 | Varies | Varies | Inuvialuit Beneficiaries, Indigenous |
| Aboriginal Business Leadership Award MacEwan University | 2023/11/21 | 17 | $1500 | Indigenous attending any Post Secondary Institution, must apply through NWP Fin Aid office |
| Art L’Hirondelle Dedicated Service Scholarship | 2023/10/31 | $1,000 | Indigenous/Trades | |
| Ernest Poitras Scholarship | 2023/10/31 | 1 | $1000 | Métis/Any area of study |
| Tom Ghostkeeper Scholarship | 2023/10/31 | 2 | $1,000 | Métis |
| Gary Pruden Scholarship Award | 2023/10/31 | 1 | $500 | Indigenous/Music and or Sports |
| Rupertsland Institute | Open | Varies | Métis Students | |
| Western Cree-Indigenous Skills and Employment Training | Open | Varies | Varies | Indigenous-Short Term Programs Apprentice, Certificate, Continuted Education |
| Congress of Aboriginal Peoples | Open | Varies | Indigenous | |
| Imperial Internship & Scholarship Program | Open | Multiple | Varies | Indigenous students |
| Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta Indigenous Scholarships | Open | Multiple | Varies | Indigenous students |
| Indigenous bursaries search tool | Open | Multiple | Varies | Indigenous students |
| Indspire | Open | Varies | Indigenous |