Bursaries, Awards & Scholarships

University of Waterloo

Title Description Value
Indigenous student awards –for undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo

The Student Awards & Financial Aid Office (SAFA) manages hundreds of undergraduate awards for students newly admitted to first-year studies and for students currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at the University of Waterloo. Some of these awards are specifically for Indigenous students.

Explore the Undergraduate Awards and Entrance Awards databases to search for Indigenous student award opportunities at Waterloo.

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Indigenous student awards – for graduate students at the University of Waterloo

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs manages hundreds of awards for graduate students registered at the University of Waterloo. Some awards may be specifically for Indigenous students or open to all students with a specific allocation reserved for those who are Indigenous.

Explore the graduate funding and awards database and use the Affiliation option to limit your search to awards for Indigenous students along with other search criteria that may apply to you.

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Co-operators Award for Black and Indigenous Students

An award, valued at $2,500, is presented annually to a Black or Indigenous undergraduate student who is engaged in activities that are having a positive impact on the sustainability of our future and who is enrolled in Year Three or Four of one of the following programs:

Full details available here.

$2,500

Dupont-Peppler Award for Black or Indigenous Students

One award, valued at up to $1,000, will be provided annually to a full-time Black or Indigenous undergraduate student enrolled in Year Three or Four of the Faculty of Arts or the Faculty of Engineering. To be eligible for consideration, students must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents.

Full details available here.

up to $1000

Herbert Fernando Memorial Award

Two awards, valued at $500 each, are available annually for Black or Indigenous undergraduate students enrolled in a field-based course in the Department of Biology, in the Faculty of Science. Selection is based on academic excellence in ecology-based courses.

Full details available here.

$500

Indigenous Student Bursary

The Government of Ontario provides bursary assistance for Indigenous students with financial need, as assessed by the educational institution. The bursary is open to eligible undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at the University of Waterloo in full- or part-time studies in any degree program in any year of study. To be eligible for the Indigenous Student Bursary, a student must self-identify as an Indigenous person in Canada.

Full details available here.

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John Tattersall Memorial Award

An award, valued at up to $1,200, will be provided annually to a full-time undergraduate Canadian Indigenous student enrolled in Year Two, Three, or Four in any program in the Faculty of Engineering (excluding the School of Architecture).

Full details available here.

Up to $1,200

MHBC Award for Black and Indigenous Students

An award, valued at $2,500, will be provided annually to a Black or Indigenous undergraduate student enrolled in Year One or Two in the School of Planning. For the purpose of the award, an Indigenous person is a person who self-identifies as First Nations (Status/Non-Status), Métis, or Inuit/Inuk as defined in the Canadian Constitution Act 1982.

Full details available here.

$2,500

Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology Momentum Fellowship

The Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology Momentum Fellowship is the flagship fellowship for the IBET PhD Project.

This prestigious Fellowship will provide financial support of $30,000 per year for 4 years for University of Waterloo recipients. This funding support ($25,000 from faculty and $5,000 from faculty supervisor) will allow the recipient(s) to pursue advanced degrees and undertake both traditional and/or non-traditional areas of research without incurring financial hardship.

Full details available here.

$30,000

/year

Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology (IBET) Momentum Fellowship

Two IBET Momentum Fellowships are available to Faculty of Mathematics doctoral students registered full-time in Spring 2021 or later. The Fellowships are intended to help build and support an equitable environment that is reflective of Canada’s population and reconcile the under-representation of Indigenous and Black scholars at the University of Waterloo. 

Full details available here.

$25,000

/year +

Planning Class of 1981 Award for Black and Indigenous Students

An award, valued at $2,500, will be provided annually to a Black or Indigenous undergraduate student enrolled in any year in the School of Planning. For the purpose of the award, an Indigenous person is a person who self-identifies as First Nations (Status/Non-Status), Métis, and/or Inuit.

Full details available here.

$2,500

Rexall Pharmacy Group Community Involvement Award

An award, valued at $3,000, will be provided annually to a full-time Black or Indigenous undergraduate student enrolled in Year Two, Three, or Four of the PharmD program in the School of Pharmacy.

Full details available here.

$3,000

Rico Mariani Scholarship for Black and Indigenous Students in Computer Science

One scholarship, valued at up to $2,000, will be awarded annually to an outstanding Black or Indigenous undergraduate student enrolled in Year Two, Three, or Four in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science.

Full details available here.

$2,000

 

Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo

Title Description Value
Indigenous Student Award - Renison University College  

“This award seeks to address systemic barriers to post-secondary education that Indigenous students face as a direct result of history and ongoing processes of colonization.  

Set up by Renison’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee, the award further recognizes that Indigenous students actively involved on campus often do extra labour related to their Indigeneity and connections to community, both in our classrooms and as part of other university processes.  

These awards are an effort to recognize that labour and to develop a committed and reciprocal relationship with Indigenous students that supports their aspirations and development, fosters their leadership, builds their connections and networks, and supports the contribution of their gifts, passions, and energies at Renison and beyond.”

Learn more about the Indigenous Student Award.

$4,000
SDS Equity and Diversity Scholarship – Renison University College 

“The ultimate aim of those who engage in Social Development Studies is to help people, communities, and nations flourish. Renison University College values diversity and equity in our student body, and has designed this scholarship to address historical and contemporary injustices that have created barriers to higher education for members of marginalized groups (with priority going to self-identified Indigenous students; Black students; students of colour; LGBTQ+, queer, trans*, and/or Two-Spirit students; and students with disabilities)”

Learn more about the SDS Equity and Diversity Scholarship. 

$8,000
WPIRG Campus Legacy Award for Indigenous Students – United College 

During a nearly 50-year legacy at UW and the Affiliated and Federated Institutions of the University of Waterloo, student members of WPIRG took action on many issues and were particularly strong advocates and allies for Indigenous students. 

In recognition of this long history the current Board of WPIRG intends for this gift to further enhance a legacy of cooperation, advocacy and social justice by providing annual awards available exclusively to Indigenous students at Waterloo who are working to advance causes related to social and or environmental change. 

United College will give three awards valued at up to $3,000 annually to a full-time Indigenous graduate or undergraduate student enrolled in any program or Faculty on the basis of participation in actions, demonstrations, conferences or forums regarding social/environmental research and justice (Inclusive of virtual conferences and gatherings).”

Learn more about the WPIRG Campus Award for Indigenous Students. 

$3,000

The Walterfedy Scholarship-Renison University College

Recipients of this award are selected based on demonstrated commitment to social justice, inter-racial harmony, and inter-faith dialogue through on-campus or off-campus volunteer activities. Students are prioritized who identify as Black or Indigenous, or with racialized groups who have experienced economic hardship or social disadvantage.

Learn more about the The Walterfedy Scholarship.

Contact Renison

WPIRG Campus Legacy Award for Indigenous Students - United College

United College will give three awards valued at up to $3,000 annually to a full-time Indigenous graduate or undergraduate student enrolled in any program or Faculty on the basis of participation in actions, demonstrations, conferences or forums regarding social/environmental research and justice (Inclusive of virtual conferences and gatherings). 

Learn more about the WPIRG Campus Legacy Award for Indigenous Students.

Up to 

$3,000

Malcolm X PACS Scholarship - Conrad Grebel University College

Recipients of this award are selected based on demonstrated commitment to social justice, inter-racial harmony, and inter-faith dialogue through on-campus or off-campus volunteer activities. Students are prioritized who identify as Black or Indigenous, or with racialized groups who have experienced economic hardship or social disadvantage.

Learn more about the Malcolm X PACS Scholarship.

Contact Conrad Grebel 

 

External

Title Description Value
Indspire

Indspire is a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. 

Our vision is to enrich Canada through Indigenous education and by inspiring achievement. In partnership with Indigenous, private, and public sector stakeholders, Indspire educates, connects and invests in Indigenous people so they will achieve their highest potential.”

Learn more about Indspire. 

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Kathleen Blinkhorn Aboriginal Student Scholarship

“ONPHA’s Kathleen Blinkhorn Aboriginal Student Scholarship supports Aboriginal students living in non-profit housing in Ontario. Each scholarship winner receives $2,000 for use towards their post-secondary education costs, like tuition, books, technology and transportation.”

Learn more about the Kathleen Blinkhorn Aboriginal Student Scholarship. 

$2,000

Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool - Government of Canada

The Indigenous bursaries search tool is a searchable list of 520 bursaries, scholarships and incentives aimed at Indigenous students across Canada.

Learn more here.

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