For more details on topics covered in the Aboriginal Youth Info+Net, visit the City of Calgary Youth Employment Centre and talk with one of our Career Advisors.

If you require more detail on any of the below information please visit The City of Calgary Youth Employment Centre to talk to an employment counsellor.

So you are planning to attend a post-secondary institution or perhaps you are a high school student wondering what types of scholarships and bursaries are out there. There are various scholarships and bursaries available, it's finding the ones that are specific to you that can be tricky.

The City of Calgary Youth Employment centre has a scholarship and bursary available as well; for more info click here.

Frequently Asked Questions - click on the question to fast track to the answer:

1. What is the difference between a scholarship and a bursary?
2. What determines financial need?
3. Where do scholarships and bursaries come from?
4. Where do I find scholarships and bursaries?
5. How do I apply for a scholarship or bursary?
6. After I receive the scholarship are there any additional steps I must follow?
7. I have Aboriginal lineage, how do I obtain my First Nation Status card or Metis Nation card?

• LINKS

Frequently Asked Questions about scholarships and bursaries

1) What is the difference between a scholarship and a bursary?

A scholarship is based primarily on academic or athletic achievement. Criteria for every scholarhip is different, and the amounts vary from $100 to as high as $40,000.

A bursary will also have specific requirements but are mostly based on financial need. There are many types of bursaries available to students.

A scholarhip or bursary can be awarded by cash or the money will be sent directly to your institution of choice.

2) What determines financial need?

Financial need is determined by comparing a student's monthly/yearly income to his or her expenses for the academic year.

Students receiving student loans and sponsored/funded may still be considered as financially in need especially if the student displays strong effort in studies and financial situation (part-time job, single parent, extra-curricular/volunteer activities).

3) Where do scholarships and bursaries come from?

4) Where do I find scholarships and bursaries?

• Aboriginal Multi-Media Society
• National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
• Educational institutions (universities, colleges, trade schools)
• Businesses (banks, oil companies, media, farming institutions)
• Government
• Career centres
• Parents' workplaces
• Affiliations & Associations (Friendship Centres, Metis Nation, Royal Canadian Legion, Community Centres)

The links at the bottom of this page will take you directly to some scholarships & bursaries. Many businesses/organizations scholarships and bursaries are area-specific (eg. Healthcare, Sciences, Performing Arts) so you may have more monies available to you if you are going into an area of study that is not as popular as others; this is because youth are highly encouraged to pursue more unconventional careers.

5) How do I apply for a scholarship or bursary?

Below are some general guidelines when applying for scholarships & bursaries.

• Research. Go through scholarhip books, websites; visit career centres, schools, and your guidance counsellor.
• Make and keep a list of all scholarships & bursaries you may be eligible for, making a calendar for deadlines and requirements.
• Gather all your required documentation for each scholarship and bursary for which you are applying:
• Indian status card (see link below for this process)
• Metis Nation card (see link below for this process)
• transcripts (original is best)
• cover letter (brief description of self & what you are applying for, why you are a suitable candidate)
• a resume
• a written essay (write about extra-curricular activities, volunteering, interests, jobs, clubs, cultural background if applicable,
• obstacles you have overcome to pursue your educational goals, and your career plan)
• letters of reference (no relatives - an Elder, teacher, community leader, employer)
• complete application
• Have someone proofread your applications so there are no spelling errors or errors in general.
• Allow enough time for your application to be mailed and received within the deadline.
• ALWAYS have a back up plan for education funding (student loan, bank loan, savings)

6) After I receive the scholarship are there any additional steps I must follow?

Once you receive a bursary or scholarship be aware of minimum GPA's (grades) you must maintain, updates/reports you must write to your funder, or perhaps you will be required to participate in a summer work internship/experience.

7) I have Aboriginal lineage, how do I obtain my First Nation Status card or Metis Nation card?

You may be eligible for First Nation status if:

• both your parents are eligible for Status
• you lost Status by marrying a non-Indian man
• you lost Status because your father was not a Status Indian
• you lost Status because your parents applied to give up Status and First Nation membership through something called "enfranchisement"
• you qualified for Indian Status before the Indian Act was changed in 1985

You may also be eligible for registration if only one of your parents is eligible. Remember, you must apply for your Indian Status. It is not automatic. To order an Indian Status Registration package or to get more details, call Indian and Northern Affairs toll free at 1-800-567-9604 or click Here.

You may be eligible for Metis Nation status if:

• You can complete Genealogy dating back to the mid 1800's (at least five generations)
• Either a long form birth certificate which includes your parent's names, OR a baptismal certificate along with a wallet sized birth certificate
• Picture ID for swearing a Statutory Declaration

Please be advised that the membership application process may take several weeks to complete. An application will not be processed if there is a document missing. If you have any questions about membership, please contact the Alberta Metis Nation head office at (780) 455-2200 or toll free at 1-866-88METIS (886-3847), or click Here.

LINKS

Aboriginal Scholarships

The Aboriginal Canada Portal
Offers an online Aboriginal funding tool that offers a way to search for scholarships, bursaries, loans & grants according to your needs.

Canada Post Aboriginal Education Incentive Award
The Aboriginal Education Incentive Award is part of Canada Post's nation-wide scholarship program and commitment to furthering individual potential. Each of Canada Post's eight regions across the country will grant three awards annually: Two $1,000 scholarships for the return to and successful completion of one full year of high school and One $1,000 scholarship for the return to and successful completion of one full year of post-secondary education, including vocational or trade skills training.

Aboriginal Youth Network
This site has information about various funding sources that range from nursing to business to television. This site is dedicated to the Aboriginal youth of Canada.

FAAY (Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth)
FAAY is a scholarship program operated by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. CCAB is dedicated to developing the future generations of Aboriginal leaders. They have scholarships for high school or post-secondary students.

AMMSA (Aboriginal Multi- Media Society)
Large listing of scholarships and bursaries available to Aboriginal people (including youth) in a variety of educational programs. You can look up educational institutions and find the awards available to their Aboriginal students only.

CASTS (Canadian Aboriginal Science and Technology Society)
This site contains a list of four scholarship programs for Aboriginal students enrolled in post-secondary education. These scholarships are open to all Aboriginal people with the exception of the Chief Crowfoot Professional Health Careers Scholarship which has specific affiliation criteria.

National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
A charitable organization with funding available to all Aboriginal students enrolled in fine arts, business/generals studies, science and health programs. They also have funds for programs or individuals that are culturally focused.

Indian Affairs
This government site has good information and has an excellent page on Scholarships and Bursaries. This link will take you to all scholarships available in the Alberta region through their department.

Métis Matters
Some scholarships are open to all who have Aboriginal ancestry not just Métis ancestry. They also have scholarships for youth in elementary and high school.

Royal Bank of Canada Aboriginal Scholarships
Royal Bank offers scholarships to all Aboriginal people and also has a summer placement program as an award to qualified applicants. Royal Bank has employment opportunities for Aboriginal students in grade 9-12 for summer employment.

General Scholarships

ALIS (Alberta Learning Information Service)
This link will take you directly to its scholarship page. There is a large list of scholarships available to all youth in Alberta. Under General scholarships you will find at least three scholarships for Aboriginal students. There is also a listing of some businesses that offer awards to their employee's children.

Student Awards
After you have registered on this site, you can fill out a form that will search for scholarships in Canada that match your profile. If you don't get any matches your first time, re enter the search criteria and try again. It takes a long time but is worth it and is available to all students.

ThinkTraders
Here you will find information on awards for those in the trades/apprentice field. Follow their link and look for scholarships and awards. There are funds totalling approximately $165,000 in awards for those in the trades/apprenticeship professions. Be sure to read the eligibility criteria.

Dollars for Learners
Scholarship and bursary funds administered by the Edmonton Community Foundation. The criteria here is very specific so read thoroughly.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS:

All of these links will bring you directly to the scholarship listings and information.

The University of Calgary
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Mount Royal College
Bow Valley College