Indigenous Funding
If you're not quite sure how to pay for your education, or whether you're eligible for funding, we can help. The following types of funding options are available to Indigenous students:
Sponsorship
If you are a sponsored student and have been approved to have your tuition and mandatory fees billed to a third party (employer/sponsoring agency - Advancing Futures/Band), you must ensure that all proper documentation is forwarded to Financial Services before each fee deadline.
Learn more about the third-party billing sponsorship procedure.
For more information email studentfees@mtroyal.ca
Loans
If you are a resident of Alberta, you can apply for government loans online at studentaid.alberta.ca. If you live outside Alberta, look into applying for student loan assistance from your home province or territory. Benefits include:
- Automatic assessment for grants
- Interest-free status while you study
- Deferral of tuition fee payment
If you are receiving Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada/Band Funds, you can still apply for Government Student Loans should you require additional funding. You will, however, need to declare these funds as a resource on your application.
If you declared your Indigenous status on your original application, you are exempt from the requested federal student contribution and your eligibility for federal student aid may increase.
Contact the Office of the Registrar to learn more about government student loans and for assistance with filling out your student loan application.
Scholarships and bursaries
All Mount Royal students can apply for awards listed at mru.ca/awards from Nov. 1 to March 1. Be sure to declare your Indigenous status on the awards application to also be considered for these specific awards. Proof of ancestry may be an additional requirement for scholarships and bursaries.
Type: Bursary
Value: $7,500
Number: Eight
Eligibility: Awarded to Aboriginal students who are entering the Aboriginal Education Program (AEP) full-time who intend to apply for a degree at Mount Royal University.
Criteria:
- Financial need - proof of documentation that the student is not eligible for other sources of funding.
- Student must have been out of school for one year before applying.
- Student must finish their first semester in good standing to receive the second half of their funding.
Application: Apply at the Iniskim Centre.
BMO Aboriginal Entrance Scholarship
Type: Scholarship
Value: $6,000
Number: Four
Eligibility: Awarded to full-time Aboriginal students who will be enrolled in the first year of any degree program in the upcoming fall semester. Preference will be given to students who have graduated from the Aboriginal Education Program and are past recipients of the BMO Aboriginal Education Program (AEP) Bursary.
Criteria:
- Academic achievement - GPA of 70%
Application: Available online.
Enbridge Scholarship for Aboriginal Leadership
Type: Scholarship
Value: Variable
Number: One
Eligibility: Awarded to an aboriginal student who is graduating from the Aboriginal Education Program and who is planning on continuing full-time, post-secondary studies at Mount Royal in any credit certificate, diploma or degree program.
Criteria:
- Academic achievement
- Leadership qualities as demonstrated by community work as a role model or mentor
Application: Nominated award - application not required.
Garner Scholarship
Type: Scholarship
Value: $1,000
Number: One
Eligibility: Awarded to a full-time, First Nations student who will be enrolled in the first year of any diploma or bachelor's degree program in the upcoming fall semester. Students must provide proof of First Nations status.
Criteria:
- Financial need
Application: Available online.
McDougall United Church Calgary First Nations Bursary
Type: Other
Value: Variable
Number: One
Eligibility: Awarded to a full-time student who will be enrolled in the first year of Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Computer Information Systems in the upcoming fall semester. Preference will be given to Aboriginal students who have participated in the MEG Energy Summer Science Camp for Aboriginal Youth.
Criteria:
- Academic achievement
Application: Available online.
MEG Energy Corp. Scholarship
Type: Scholarship
Value: $1,000
Number: One
Eligibility: Awarded to a full-time student who will be enrolled in the first year of Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Computer Information Systems in the upcoming fall semester. Preference will be given to Aboriginal students who have participated in the MEG Energy Summer Science Camp for Aboriginal Youth.
Criteria:
- Academic achievement
Application: Available online.
Aboriginal Science & Technology Scholarship
Type: Scholarship
Value: Variable
Number: One
Eligibility: Awarded to a full-time student who will be enrolled in the first, second, third or fourth year of the Aboriginal Science and Technology Education program in the upcoming fall semester.
Criteria:
- Academic achievement
Application: Nominated award - application not required.
Alberta Environment and Parks Ecotourism Scholarship
Type: Other
Value: $1,500
Number: One
Eligibility: Awarded to a full-time student who will be enrolled in the second or third year of the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education - Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership program in the upcoming Fall semester. Preference will be given to an Indigenous student.
Criteria:
- Academic achievement
- Extracurricular activities - campus or community involvement. Preference will be given to a student who demonstrates an interest in ecotourism and leadership, an interest in parks for future employment or a focus for research or study.
Application: Available online.
BMO Aboriginal Scholarship
Type: Scholarship
Value: $6,000 each; two for students in second year, two for students in third year, and two for students enrolled in their fourth year
Number: Six
Eligibility: Awarded to full-time Aboriginal students who will be enrolled in the second, third or fourth year of any degree program in the upcoming fall semester. Preference will be given to past recipients of the BMO Aboriginal awards.
Criteria:
- Academic achievement
Application: Available online.
Corus Radio Billy Powers Memorial Scholarship
Type: Scholarship
Value: $1,000
Number: One
Eligibility: Awarded to a full-time student who will be enrolled in the second, third, or fourth year of Bachelor of Communication - Journalism in the upcoming fall semester. Recipient must have completed COMM 3707 (News Reporting). Preference will be given to Aboriginal students or students with a disability.
Criteria:
- Academic achievement
Application: Available online.
Delorme/Henderson Scholarship for Metis Students
Type: Other
Value: $1,000
Number: Two
Eligibility: Awarded to full-time students who will be enrolled in their second, third or fourth year of any program in the upcoming fall semester. Students must provide proof of Métis status.
Criteria:
- Academic achievement
Application: Student must provide proof of Métis Heritage. This may be a copy of either your own Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba Saskatchewan or BC Métis membership card, or a copy of the card of your parent, aunt, uncle or sibling. Application available online.
Métis Scholar Awards
Type: Other
Value: Variable
Number: Five
Eligibility: Awarded to a full-time Aboriginal student who will be enrolled in any year of any program at Mount Royal University in the upcoming fall semester. Student must provide proof of Métis heritage.
Criteria:
- Financial need
- Letter of 800-1000 words outlining your experience with the Métis community, including volunteer activities specific to the Métis community, family history, etc., or your plans to give back to the Métis community.
Application: Must be accompanied by a letter as outlined above. Must also provide one letter of reference from a community or voluntary association, a teacher, or supervisor, or a member of the Métis community. Proof of Métis heritage must be provided. Application available online.
Miriel and Anthony Fisher Memorial Scholarship
Type: Scholarship
Value: Variable
Number: One
Eligibility: Awarded to a full-time student who will be enrolled in the final year of any program in the upcoming fall semester. Preference will be given to an Aboriginal student.
Criteria:
- Academic achievement
Application: Available online.
News Talk 770 Radio Bursary
Type: Bursary
Value: $1,000
Number: One
Eligibility: Awarded to a full-time student who will be enrolled in the second, third or fourth year of Bachelor of Communication - Journalism in the upcoming fall semester. Preference will be given to Aboriginal students or students with a disability.
Criteria:
- Financial need
Application: Available online.
Repsol Oil & Gas Canada Inc. Scholarship
Type: Other
Value: Variable
Number: Variable
Eligibility: Awarded to full-time Aboriginal students who will be enrolled in the second, third, or fourth year of Bachelor of Science in the upcoming fall semester.
Criteria:
- Academic achievement
Application: Available online.
Roy A. Cunningham Memorial Scholarship
Type: Scholarship
Value: Variable
Number: One
Eligibility: Awarded to an aboriginal student who will be enrolled in the second, third or fourth year of any credit program in the upcoming fall semester.
Criteria:
- Academic proficiency
- Extracurricular activities - volunteer involvement at Mount Royal University, either through the Native Students' Centre, a native student organization/association or the Aboriginal Education Program
Application: Must be accompanied by a letter of support from the Mount Royal University organization to which they have made a volunteer contribution. Application available online.
TransCanada Aboriginal Education Scholarship
Type: Scholarship
Value: Variable
Number: Variable
Eligibility: Awarded to full-time aboriginal students who will be enrolled in the first, second, third or fourth year of study in any program in any of the following faculties: Arts; Health, Community and Education; Science and Technology; Business and Communication Studies. Recipients will be determined by a selection committee from the Aboriginal Education Program at Mount Royal.
Criteria:
- Academic proficiency - minimum 70 per cent high school average or minimum GPA of 2.7 in university
- Demonstrated involvement in the aboriginal community
- Financial need
Application: Available online.
ConocoPhillips Canada Centennial Scholarship
The ConocoPhillips Canada Centennial scholarship recognizes students' academic excellence and demonstrated leadership. Visit their website for more information.
Freehorse Family Wellness Society (Bill C31)
A post secondary funding program on behalf of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). Alberta residents from Nunavut and the North West Territories with Indian or Inuit Status are also eligible under the Post Secondary Funding Program. Visit their website for more information.
Indigenous Careers Award
To encourage Indigenous Albertans (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) to pursue and complete post-secondary studies in certificate, diploma, applied degree and bachelor's degree programs leading to high-demand career outcomes in Alberta. Visit their website for more information.
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples - Indigenous Skills and Employment Training program
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples skills training program focuses on Indigenous individuals who are trying to enter the labour market and cannot access funding from other any other source or Indigenous organization. This funding priority includes non-Status Indians, Eastern Métis, and Southern Inuit. Visit their website for more information.