Information for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Learners
Last updated on May 12, 2026Use these resources to help plan your post-secondary journey and support you while you are at school.
Career Exploration & Planning
Aboriginal Learning Links provides resources for First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners wishing to pursue or continue college or university (post-secondary) studies in British Columbia.
Guiding Your Education Journey – A Handbook for First Nations Families (PDF) includes tools and information for First Nations families to help their teens plan for secondary and post-secondary education so that they can have successful careers.
WorkBC Resource for Parents will help start conversations between parents and their youth, and provide a foundation of knowledge to equip their youth on their journey towards a fulfilling career.
This WorkBC site contains information on Post-Secondary programs, Skills Training programs, Trades Training, Co-Op information and much more.
For more information, please visit the BladeRunners page to contact the service provider(s) in your region.
Career Journeys First Nations Career Role Model Program
This site provides information about careers through videos featuring Indigenous role models. A teacher resource book, a parent and student guide, and classroom posters are also available.
To learn more, visit https://www.educationplannerbc.ca/go/teachers
Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program
The ISET program is a federally funded program that provides funding to Indigenous service delivery organizations that design and deliver services to First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban/non-affiliated Indigenous people in their communities. There are 24 ISET service delivery organizations in BC.
Support for Graduate Students
SAGE (Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement) is a province-wide program that offers peer and faculty mentorship to Indigenous graduate students transitioning into or completing their master's and doctoral programs. It provides networking opportunities through events, support pods, and resources to foster success and cultural affirmation. Students can email the provincial coordinator at grad.sage@ubc.ca or visit the SAGE office at one of the following institutions:
Student Services
Indigenous student services at Post-Secondary institutions can help you with your education goals, career planning, and provide assistance navigating campus services.
Gathering Places
Gathering Places are unique spaces on campus that reflect the culture and traditions of Indigenous Students. Depending on the campus, you may use these spaces to study, hang out, smudge, and hold ceremony. For more information, please contact the Indigenous Services centre at the college or university you attend.
BC211 is a non-profit organization that specializes in providing free information and referral regarding community, government, and social services within BC. This is a resource for a variety of community resources that may be useful when moving to a new community.
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
Friendship Centres provide services to Indigenous people living in urban settings and hold space for all members of the community to celebrate culture, share knowledge, and connect with others. Each Friendship Centre is unique to its community.
Financial Support
If you are a status First Nations or Inuit person then you may be eligible for funding from the federal government through your Band, Nation or community.
If you are taking high school upgrading courses at a public college or university, tuition is free, and you may be eligible for assistance with costs such as fees, books, supplies, transportation and unsubsidized childcare. For more information, please contact the financial aid office at the public post-secondary institution or institute you are thinking of attending.
StudentAid BC offers financial assistance for all learners in British Columbia (BC), including specific supports for Indigenous students. No separate application is required - eligibility is assessed automatically when applying for StudentAidBC.
For more information on the general student financial assistance journey see: StudentAid BC’s video series.
Some StudentAidBC programs focus on special groups such as:
- Indigenous students: On StudentAidBC’s application, applicants are asked if they identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit). This is optional, but doing so ensures Indigenous learners are assessed as eligible for relevant support and funding exemptions (like extended contribution thresholds).
- BC Access Grant for low- and middle-income students attending BC public post-secondary institutions.
- Disability Assistance for students with a permanent, or persistent or prolonged disability.
- Assistance for students with dependants.
- Tuition waivers and supports for students who are or were in foster care. The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program supports B.C. students who are former youth in care who are attending either full-time or part-time studies at a B.C. public post-secondary institution, Native Education College or one of 10 eligible union trades training centres. Visit AgedOut.com and the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program page for more information.
- Youth and young adults with care experience in BC may access the SAJE program, which provides supports (like income and housing) and services (including health, wellness, training, life skills, and cultural connections) until the age of 27. SAJE also provides pre-19 planning support. See SAJE (Strengthening abilities and journeys of empowerment).
- Adult Upgrading courses are offered tuition-free to domestic students at 18 of BC’s public post-secondary institutions plus Native Education College. Low-income students taking an Adult Upgrading program may be eligible for financial assistance (including fees, books, supplies, transportation, and unsubsidized childcare, as well as tuition for Accessible Education and Training) through the Adult Upgrading Grant.
StudentAidBC Indigenous-Specific Grants and Bursaries
- Nursing Tuition Grant – Indigenous: Encourages Indigenous student enrollment and retention in Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs (including LPN-to-BScN) at BC public post-secondary institutions. Self-declared First Nations, Métis, or Inuit students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents are automatically assessed— no separate application required.
- Amount: Up to $5,000 per program year (12-month period).
- Health Programs - Indigenous Student Recruitment Bursary: Supports Indigenous student enrollment in priority health programs (like occupational therapy, physical therapy, midwifery, etc.). Self-declared Indigenous students in eligible health programs are automatically assessed.
- Amount: $5,000 per program year.
SkilledTradesBC coordinates programs to provide Indigenous peoples equal opportunity to access training and develop careers in the skilled trades. This includes a range of pre-apprenticeship training and trades exploration programs that make trades training accessible to rural and urban communities. Financial and employment supports are also available.
Indigenous Emergency Assistance Fund
This fund is available for First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners who are experiencing an unexpected financial emergency that may impact their ability to finish their studies. For more information, please contact the Indigenous Services centre at the college or university or institute you attend.
Chief Joe Mathias Scholarship Fund
The Chief Joe Mathias BC Aboriginal Scholarship Fund was established to honour the memory of the late Chief Joe Mathias and to fulfill his vision of post-secondary education for all First Nation persons.
MNBC’s Skills Training, Employment, and Post-Secondary (STEPS) programs offer a range of support programs for Métis trainees, jobseekers, and scholars.
Indspire is a national Indigenous-led registered charity offering bursaries, scholarships and awards for Indigenous students every year. There are scholarships, bursaries and awards available for full-time university programs, as well as full- or part-time certificate or diploma programs including apprenticeships, skilled trades and technology training.
Aboriginal Learning Links provides resources for First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners wishing to pursue or continue post-secondary studies and training in British Columbia. Topics and links include: Planning Your Education, Paying for School, On-Campus Resources, Child Care, Housing, and information for Former Children in Care.
The New Relationship Trust offers Scholarships at the Bachelor, Masters and Doctorate levels, and offers bursaries for certificate, diploma, associate degree & trades programs. Additionally, the New Relationship Trust offers targeted training on occasions, for example in 2019-20 there are scholarships available for Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) students residing in B.C., enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution, studying in an early year’s field.
Government of Canada’s Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool
More than 500 bursaries, scholarships and incentives across Canada offered by governments, universities and colleges, private and public companies, individual Canadians, organizations and others aimed at Indigenous students.
Other Bursaries & Scholarships
There are financial awards that do not have to be repaid. Each university or college has different ones available. Contact the Indigenous Services or Financial Aid centres at the college or university you plan to attend for more information.