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 applications are open for the 2024-2025 academic year and can be found in your myNWP Document Library. Applications will close on November 22, 2024, for the Fall Semester and February 14, 2025, for the Winter Semester.
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.
Program Specific Internal Awards
Filter by Program
| Award Name | Program | Criteria | No. of | Value | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purina Award for IBPOC Students in Animal Health Technology Nestle Purina PetCare Canada |
Animal Health Technology | This award was created by Nestle Purina PetCare Canada to support Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour (IBPOC) students pursuing their education in Animal Health Technology at Northwestern Polytechnic. This award will help address systemic inequities and increase access and participation of IBPOC students in Animal Health Technology. This award is available to a 2nd year or graduating Animal Health Technology student who the instructors deem most worthy. It should take into consideration effort, participation, attention in class, teamwork, and expressed interest in companion animal nutrition. | 1 | 500 | NWP Awarded |
| 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. 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. | 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, Métis, and Inuit) to pursue and complete post-secondary studies in certificate, diploma, applied degree, and bachelor’s degree programs. University transfer programs are eligible. Students enrolled in Apprenticeship classroom instruction, integrated training, pre-employment or non-credential programs are not 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 |
| Strathcona Resources Indigenous Student Entrance Scholarship Strathcona Resources Ltd. |
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. Must provide proof of ancestry with application 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 |
| Phoenix Energy Services Inspiration Award Phoenix Energy Services Inc. |
Apprenticeship Electrician and Apprenticeship Insturment Control Technician | Highest Academic performance, preference to an Indigenous student. | 2 | 1000 | 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, Bachelor of 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Blue Cross Indigenous scholarship | 2025/01/31 | 9 | $1,500 | Indigenous students |
| ATCO Indigenous Education Awards Program | 2025/08/15 | Multiple | $500 - $1,500 | Indigenous students, High School, Academic Upgrading, Trades, Post Secondary |
| Building Futures Scholarship Program | 2025/08/15 | Varies | Varies | Child/Dependent of CNRL employee and/or Indigenous |
| Primary Indigenous Student Bursary | 2025/08/1 | 1 | $2000 | Indigenous |
| Canada Post Indigenous Award | 2025/08/31 | 1 | $2000 | Indigenous |
| Native Women's Association of Canada | 2024/12/13 | Multiple | Varies | Indigenous women |
| Rebecca Kelln Metis Bursary | 2025/04/30 | 1 | Up to a Maximum of $1000 | Métis Students |
| IRC's Inuit Post Secondary Education Funding Program | 2025/03/15 | Varies | Varies | Indigenous, Inuvialuit beneficiaries, Inuit, All Programs |
| Building Futures Scholarship Program | 2024/12/15 | Multiple | up to $3,000 | Be a child/dependent of a Canadian Natural employee, and be Indigenous |
| Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards | 2025/03/15 | Multiple | Varies | Métis Students |
| Alberta Foundation of the Arts | 2025/03/1 | Varies | Varies | Arts, Indigenous |
| Indspire | Open | Multiple | Varies, multiple deadlines | Indigenous |
| The Residential School Survivors & Descendants Scholarships | 2024/12/31 | 1 | $6000 | Indigenous |
| RBC Future Launch Scholarships | 2025/02/7 | 20 | Varies | Indigenous |
| Alberta Indian Investment Corporation | 2025/02/15 | 1 | $1000 | Indigenous-Diploma or Degree |
| Métis Education Fund-MEF Early Learning and Childcare Métis Scholar Award | Open | Varies | Varies | Métis, must not be currently receiving funding from Rupertsland Institute-See Website |
| The Sam Bull Memorial Scholarship | 2025/02/15 | Varies | Varies | Indigenous |
| Senator James Gladstone Memorial Scholarship | 2025/02/15 | Varies | Varies | Indigenous |
| Métis Education Fund-MEF Métis Scholar Award | Open | Varies | Varies | Métis, must not be currently receiving funding from Rupertsland Institute-See Website |
| Crowe MacKay LLP No Limits Award | 2025/01/31 | 1 | $3000 | Indigenous Business students in 3rd or 4th year |
| Skills Development Program Education | Open | Varies | Varies | Indigenous, Residence of NWT |
| Indigenous Business Student Award | 2025/01/31 | 1 | $2500 | Indigenous Business Student |
| Telus Award for Indigenous Post Secondary Success | 2025/01/31 | 1 | $2500 | Indigenous- 3rd or 4th year Business Students |
| Alex Tutschek FCPA, FCA award for Mature Indigenous Students | 2025/01/31 | 3 | $1500 | Mature Indigenous Students pursuing a CPA designation |
| Alex Tutschek FCPA, FCA award for Indigenous Post Secondary Achievement | 2025/01/31 | 3 | $1500 | Indigenous Business Students |
| Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program | Open | Varies | Varies | Indigenous, Inuvialuit beneficiaries, Inuit, All Programs - See website for deadlines |
| Western Cree Tribal Council - Indigenous Skills Employment and Training (ISET) Program | Open | Varies | Varies | Indigenous |
| Congress of Aboriginal Peoples | Open | Varies | Indigenous- Non Status, Eastern Métis and Southern Inuit | |
| Western Cree-Indigenous Skills and Employment Training | Open | Varies | Varies | Indigenous-Short Term Programs Apprentice, Certificate, Continuted Education |
| Freehorse Family Wellness Society | Open | Multiple | Varies | Indigenous students-See website for details |
| Metis Scholarship Awards-Multiple | Open | Varies | Varies | Métis Students |
| Bigstone Education Post Secondary Sponsorship | Open | Varies | Varies | Bigstone Cree Nation member-Indigenous |
| Rupertsland Institute | Open | Varies | Métis Students | |
| Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta Indigenous Scholarships | Open | Multiple | Varies | Indigenous students |
| Imperial Internship & Scholarship Program | Open | Multiple | Varies | Indigenous students |
| Indigenous bursaries search tool | Open | Multiple | Varies | Indigenous students |