Indian Affairs and Northern Development (INAC) provides financial support to eligible Status Indians and Inuit students under broad authorities of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Act to continue their education.

Funding for individual students is available through two programs as follows:

Post-Secondary Student Support Program

• Tuition support for part-time and full-time students that may include fees for registration, tuition and the cost of books and supplies required for courses.
  
  
• Travel support for students who must leave their permanent place of residence to attend college or university. Students may qualify for a grant to return home once every semester. This grant also covers any dependents who live with the student.
  
  
• Living expenses for full-time students to help cover the costs of food, shelter, transportation and day care.

University College Entrance Preparation Program

• Financial assistance for students with the cost of tuition fees, books and travel, and living allowances, when applicable.
  
  
• Financial assistance for Status Indian and Inuit students enrolled in university and college entrance preparation programs, to help them achieve the academic level required to enter degree and diploma programs.

Who is eligible?

Inuit and Status Indian students (residing on or off reserve) and ordinarily resident in Canada.

How to apply

Status Indian students who want to pursue post-secondary studies should contact their band office or the regional office of INAC.

Inuit students residing out of the territories for more than one year should contact the Regional INAC office in the province of residence.

Indian Studies Support Program

Post-secondary institutions receive funding for the development and delivery of special programs for Status Indians.

Proposals for funding under this program should be forwarded to the INAC regional office.

More Federal Assistance for Aboriginal Students

Students should also review the programs and assistance available through Human Resources and Social Development Canada at the following sites:

Learning and Post-Secondary Education 

Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership 

Supports through scholarships and bursaries through:

Canadian Millennium Foundation 

National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation 

Aboriginal Bursary System

Many organizations and institutions offer bursaries to students who want to continue their studies in colleges and universities after high school. This is a link to the Aboriginal Bursary System where you can search by region, discipline and key words.

Aboriginal Bursary System