Finances

Financial checklist for indigenous students

  1. Estimate your expenses, including your tuition and fees.
  2. Consider your financial resources such as summer income, money from your parents, or loans.
  3. Calculate your financial need. Total expenses - total resources = financial need. Reduce costs or increase resources as required. Meet with us to learn how to make a budget and check out our budgeting tips.
  4. Apply for full-time or part-time OSAP or the Indigenous Student Bursary. The recommended deadline to apply for OSAP for the fall is July 31 to ensure your funding is available in September. If you are an Indigenous student, you can apply for OSAP funding (grants and loans) even if you receive Band funding! See all OSAP deadlines under the Apply for OSAP page.
  5. Apply for OCAD U bursaries. Bursaries are non-repayable grants given on the basis of financial need. Deadlines vary. Normally you can apply for bursaries every semester, and there is emergency funding if you ever need short-term, immediate help with things like groceries, travel home or art supplies. In addition to OCAD U student bursaries, you can also apply to Indigenous bursaries
  6. Apply for awards. If you're in your final year of study you can apply for awards, which are given by a juried competition in May of your final year. Available awards and application deadlines will be posted in February of each year. Wondering about scholarships? No need! You’re automatically considered for any available scholarships in your program at the end of each academic year; scholarships are given on the basis of grades.
  7. If you've applied to OSAP, check your application status online regularly to ensure everything is in order. When your funding is available it will pay your tuition first; the remainder is deposited into your bank account. If you’re a sponsored student, monitor your funding requirements as well as important dates, deadlines and documents that may be needed by your band office.
  8. Pay your tuition fees on time to avoid interest. See Dates & Deadlines. If you've applied to both OSAP and are receiving band funding, and OSAP pays your tuition BEFORE your band funding does, don’t worry! You can request a tuition refund of any credit balances on your financial account. More information, including the Tuition Refund Request Form, can be found on the OCAD U webpage, Tuition & Fees, Tuition Refunds and Withdrawals.
  9. Apply for student jobs through OCAD U’s work study plan. Most jobs are posted in August and are filled quickly! 
  10. Opt in to or out of OCAD U’s student health and dental plan. Indigenous students with alternative health coverage should opt out of the plan by contacting healthdental@ocadu.ca. More details about deadlines for opting out are available on the Health and Dental Plan page. If you're an Indigenous student receiving Non-Insured Health benefits, and you would like support with opting out, please email us at isc@ocadu.ca.

Indigenous student scholarships and bursaries

Indspire - February 1, August 1, and November 1 2024

Full- time and part-time students are eligible. You only need to complete the application once per academic year to be considered for all applicable bursaries, scholarships and awards.

TD Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples

Together with AFOA Canada, a not-for-profit led by Indigenous Peoples, TD offers 25 scholarships annually, worth up to $60,000 over four years.

RBC Future Launch Scholarships for Indigenous Youth

RBC awards 20 scholarships annually valued up to $10,000 per year (up to 4 years) to First Nations, Inuit and Metis students across Canada demonstrating strong academic performance and community involvement. 

Miziwe Biik Bursary

A bursary program for Post-Secondary/Apprenticeship students are eligible to receive annual funding for educational supports such as books, supplies and transportation.

Students must be First Nations (Status or Non-Status), Metis or Inuit and reside within the GTA to qualify.

To receive funding email the following items to postsecondary@miziwebiik.com. Please submit all items on the list at the same time.

Students may be eligible for monthly TTC transportation if they are attending in-person classes for 3 or more days a week.

Please note: A new Client Registration Form is required for each application (we cannot use the same form from previous applications).

  • Miziwe Biik Registration Form
  • Completed Ancestry Form OR Copy of Status Card
  • Copy of Student ID Card
  • Current class timetable (must have start and end date)
  • Letter of Enrolment

Dreamcatcher Foundation

Dreamcatcher provides individual funding for health, sports and recreation, arts and culture, and educational activities to encourage youth to complete their education. By investing in education, we are developing our youth as future leaders of tomorrow. Applicants must be First Nations (Status). 

Native Women's Association of Canada

Every year NWAC offers scholarships and bursaries to young Indigenous women, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse students. 

Indigenous Student Bursary - OSAP (apply by the end of July to ensure September funding)

Apply for OSAP or the Indigenous Student Bursary. The recommended deadline to apply for OSAP for the fall is July 31 to ensure your funding is available in September. If you are an Indigenous student, you can apply for OSAP funding (grants and loans) even if you receive Band funding! Learn more about OSAP deadlines.

Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm Educational Bursary for Indigenous Students – August 16th 2024

Bursaries of up to $4,000 funded by the Six Nations of the Grand River are available annually.

2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations Bursaries

Refer to application criteria to apply to 10 low-barrier bursaries totalling S12,000.