Bow Valley College is committed to empowering all learners to succeed in their education and life. We realize Indigenous students may face unique financial barriers. There are options available and we’re here to help.
If you’re a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit prospective student, you may be eligible for funding while attending Bow Valley College. We want you to succeed and thrive while on your educational journey and we understand that accessibility to education is crucial and can often seem difficult to navigate. You’re not alone.
Application fee waiver for Indigenous applicants
Each applicant of Indigenous ancestry is entitled to two free-of-charge admissions applications per academic year: one to a college certificate or diploma program, and one for high school upgrading where required to gain admission to a credit program. The applicant may elect which application will receive the application fee waiver(s) by requesting it through an online form. Once the waiver is applied, it is deemed “used” and cannot be transferred, reversed, or carried-forward. The fee waiver request must be made within thirty days of the application being submitted.
The applicant must still qualify for admission (such as by academic transcripts or admissions testing) and is responsible for payment of confirmation deposits, tuition, and other fees. The Registrar’s Office maintains a master list of fee waivers used each year and will notify students who exceed two requests per year. This PDF document explains the process and guidelines.
Funding information for Indigenous students
Funding sources for Indigenous students (PDF)
How to determine your banding for Indigenous funding options (PDF)
First Nations and Inuit Band Funding
Contact your local Band Office for further information, or go to the Indigenous Services Canada Website: http://www.sac-isc.gc.ca.
Indspire
Indspire is a national Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people. For First Nation, Inuit, and Métis students, Indspire provides hundreds of scholarships, bursaries and awards to thousands of Indigenous students every year: www.indspire.ca.
Rupertsland Institute
Rupertsland Institute (RLI) is an affiliate of the Métis Nation of Alberta, and provides post-secondary financial aid to Métis students: www.rupertsland.org.
Freehorse Family Wellness Society
Freehorse Family Wellness Society (FFWS) administers the Post-Secondary Funding Program on behalf of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC). The Post-Secondary Funding Program assists students who have regained their status as a result of Bill C-31 from various Alberta First Nations, and students who are residents of Alberta with Northwest Territories or Inuit Treaty Status: www.freehorse.org.
Indigenous Bursary Search Tool
Canada/Alberta Student Financial Aid
If you’re enrolled in a post-secondary career certificate or diploma program, you may be eligible for Canada and Alberta government loans and grants. For information and to apply, go to www.studentaid.alberta.ca.
To register for a Student Loan Information Session, please call 403-410-1681 or email financialaid@bowvalleycollege.ca.
Bow Valley College Awards Program
www.bowvalleycollege.ca/student-resources/financial-services/scholarships-and-bursaries
Additional financial literacy resources
- First Nations Financial Fitness: Developed by The Indigenous Financial Literacy Committee of British Columbia
- Prosper Canada – workbook: Developed by Prosper Canada and AFOA Canada (formerly Aboriginal Financial Officers
Association of Canada) - Dollars and Sense: A Guide For Your Money and workbook: Developed by the Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia and Family Services of
Greater Vancouver - First Nations Financial Fitness – workbook: Developed by Aboriginal Financial Officers Association BC
- Financial Health & Wealth: Developed by The Native Women’s Association of Canada
- The Healthy Aboriginal: Developed by the Healthy Aboriginal Network
For additional information please visit The Iniikokaan Centre
