Applying for scholarships and bursary awards can be intimidating. There are so many options to wade through before you find one you're qualified for, and once you've found one, there's usually a lengthy application process that follows.
If you're an aboriginal student, the list of awards available is even longer. The good news is these factors work to your advantage if you put in some effort. To take some pressure off, we've already done some of the boring work for you!
We've combed through the haystack and compiled five awesome national scholarships offered to aboriginal students across Canada. The amount of time it takes to apply is definitely worth the money you could receive. After all, it never hurts to have an extra few thousand bucks kicking around.
1. First Nation, Inuit and Métis Post Secondary Education Bursary Award
Amount: It varies for each applicant, but last year's recipients won between $600 to $1,200.
Application Process: Mail in an application package, including a 1,500 word essay, a photo, proof of enrolment, and a tuition statement, among other things. You can find links to the guideline and application .PDFs here.
Deadline: November 1st
Restrictions: This bursary doesn't apply to those studying health, fine arts, or pre-law. There are scholarships available for those fields of study, which have separate deadlines and criteria. You can find links to those bursaries on the same site.
Why you should apply: The application process for this scholarship is a little longer than others. This filters out a lot of applicants who want the money, but are too impatient to spend an evening filling forms. If your finished application is of any quality, you probably won't have much competition.
2. AltaLink Aboriginal Scholarship
Amount: A one-time award of $2,000
Application Process: Conveniently, you can apply to this scholarship online or by mail. You can find the application at the bottom of this page.
Deadline: November 15th
Restrictions: This scholarship is open to post-secondary students across Canada who are enrolled in a journalism program, or those are actively volunteering with a student newspaper or broadcast station.
Why you should apply: $4,000 is a substantial size for a scholarship, and the application process should take you no time at all. If you manage to snag the scholarship, it'll be the most profitable 15 minutes you've ever spent!
3. TD Scholarships for Community Leadership
Amount: Up to $10,000 a year for tuition, and an additional $7,500 for living expenses. Each scholarship could get you up to $70,000 in total.
Application Process: In addition to their application forms, you need to submit a 600 word essay detailing the extent of your community involvement. You also need two letters of support from community groups, a reference from your school, and a transcript. You also have the option of including a supplementary mini essay. At 250 words, this is worth the 15 minutes it'd take to write it.
Deadline: December 7th
Restrictions: You must be in your last year of high school and have a minimum average of 75 per cent. This scholarship is aimed at those with heavy community involvement, so it would help if you happen to have banked a decent amount of community service hours.
Why you should apply: Simply, they're offering a hell of a lot of money. This scholarship gives you enough money to fund your entire university experience. It's easily the most lucrative scholarship we've come across. Jump through whatever hoops they ask you to in the application process! The pay off is definitely worth it. Find out more information at this link.
4. Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation
Amount: There are several different awards available, the most attractive of which includes a $9,000 stipend that is renewable for up to four years. There are also 42 available scholarships worth $3,000 each, and 40 scholarships worth $2,000.
Application Process: You can either apply as a sponsored applicant or a direct pool applicant. Sponsored applicants must be nominated by their guidance counselor or principal. Direct pool applicants don't need sponsorship, though they tend to win fewer awards. The website claims an excellent candidate will be recognized regardless of sponsorship, but it would probably help to get a letter of recommendation. Find the application and all other important information here.
Deadline: October 17th for sponsored applicants, and October 24th for direct pool applicants.
Restrictions: The only stipulation with this scholarship is you must be in your final year of high-school and have a minimum cumulative average of 85 per cent.
Why you should apply: There is a much higher level of competition for these bursaries, since the restrictions are so minimal. The CMSA does not limit it's bursaries to aboriginals, so there will definitely be a higher volume of applicants. The payoff is well worth it, though. Those selected for the Loran Award receive an annual tuition waiver in addition to $9,000 and access to internships, summer programs, and a ton of other benefits. If you don't make the cut for the Loran Award, you may still win one of the finalist or semi-finalist awards worth $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.
5. Canadian Aboriginal Writing & Arts Challenge
Amount: The top prize is $2,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip for two to a reception in a major Canadian city. Cash prizes for second, third, and fourth place are also awarded.
Application Process: This contest requires only for you to write a short piece focusing which focuses on aboriginal themes or moments in history. They even have a separate contest for the artistically inclined, who would rather paint a picture than write 1,000 a thousand words. Submit your piece at http://www.our-story.ca/wc.
Deadline: March 31st, 2013
Restrictions: The only restrictions in this contest are age and word count. The contest is open to any aboriginal residents of Canada between the ages of 14 and 29. The story must be no longer than 1,400 words if you're 14 to 18 years old, or 2,000 words if you're between 19 and 29 years old.
Why you should apply: If you have any interest or skill in creative writing, this is an excellent way to make money from it. An excerpt from your story may also be published. It's also a great opportunity to develop your writing skills and contemplate your culture.
The scholarships we've listed are mostly national and non degree-specific, and all of them have deadlines that fall before the end of the year. So get cracking!
Since the purpose of our list was to be as widely applicable as possible, we had to leave out some really great program and location-specific degrees. Check here to find scholarships more specific to you! If the deadline has already passed this year, consider it a head start for next year. Bookmark your favourites and leave yourself a reminder to apply for them when the time comes.
Patrick is currently a staff writer and editorial assistant at Jobpostings Magazine. He spends most of his free time being awesome. That keeps him pretty busy. Otherwise, you'll most likely find him perusing the streets of downtown Toronto, spending a significant portion of his income on coffee and trying to make it as a musician. He hasn't quite made it, yet.
Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PJErskine
Photo: Johnny Chih-Chung Chang/Thinkstock