Metis Scholar Awards

Full-time Métis students in selected Alberta post-secondary institutions may qualify for financial assistance through the Métis Scholar Awards program that provides financial support throughout their certificate, diploma or undergraduate program. Depending upon the institution, Métis Scholar Awards may also be available for graduate studies.

The Métis Scholar Awards program is funded through endowment agreements negotiated at post-secondary institutions across Alberta through the Métis Education Foundation (MEF) and Rupertsland Institute. The endowments and awards are administered directly by each post-secondary institution. All applications must be submitted directly to the post-secondary institution.

Métis Scholar Award endowments are administered directly by each of the following post-secondary institutions: Athabasca University, Bow Valley College, Concordia University of Edmonton, Bow Valley College, Keyano College, Lakeland College, Lethbridge Polytechnic, MacEwan University, Medicine Hat College, Mount Royal University, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), NorQuest College, Northern Lakes College, Northwester Polytechnic, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, Portage College, Red Deer Polytechnic, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), The King’s University, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge.

Métis Scholar Awards Criteria

Métis Scholar Awards criteria varies across the different post-secondary institutions. To qualify for a Métis Scholar Award, a student must meet the criteria of both the Métis Education Foundation (Métis Scholar Awards criteria) and the post-secondary institution where the endowment resides.

Applications will also be assessed on the following MEF criteria:

• Be a citizen of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government (OMG) and a confirmed registered member of the Otipemisiwak Métis Student Association (OMSA).
• The student cannot be receiving funding from any program at Rupertsland Institute.
• The applicant must be enrolled in full-time studies.
• The applicant must declare that their name will not appear on the Government of Canada’s Indian Registry, nor a Band list pursuant to the Indian Act, and is neither Inuk, nor non-Status Indian,
• Provide proof of permanent residency in Alberta.
• The applicant must declare all sources of student funding that the applicant is receiving from a Métis Government or organization, including: the Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation of British Columbia, Northwest Territory Métis Nation or Alberta Métis Settlements.
• The applicant must provide a letter to the Métis Scholar Award Selection Committee outlining how they are currently engaged with or have made meaningful contribution to the Otipemisiwak Métis community.
• An applicant who receives a Métis Scholar Award in one academic year may continue to apply for Métis Scholar Awards while continuing studies until graduation.
• An applicant acknowledges that priority will be given to Citizens who have never received funding from Rupertsland Institute or the Métis Education Foundation.