Over three hundred Indigenous students share over $1.3M in awards.

January 22, 2025

Kyla MacDonald is working toward a degree in Social Sciences at Capilano University, and the $3,000 Indigenous Student Award she recently received from the BC Scholarship Society will allow her the time she needs for study. As she explained, “This Award will help me start my first year with all of the tools I need to succeed and help me feel more financially secure.”

MacDonald is one of 390 Indigenous students sharing more than $1.3 million in awards from the Society this year in support of their studies at public post-secondary institutions throughout BC.

The Society’s Indigenous Student Awards program is funded from the returns on an endowment fund established by the Province of British Columbia. It was created to assist in removing barriers to higher education for Indigenous peoples. Awards of $2,000 to $5,000 each are issued every year to students studying at all post-secondary levels, from trades training to doctoral programs. The Awards are renewable for each year of study.

“We’re thrilled to see the BC Scholarship Society working hard to break down barriers that prevent Indigenous students from achieving their higher education goals,” shares Anne Kang, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “Kyla is a proud example of the strength and determination of Indigenous learners in our province. BC Scholarship Society’s Indigenous Student Awards program is making an impactful difference by providing the opportunities and support students need to thrive and creating a brighter and more inclusive future for everyone in British Columbia.”

The BC Scholarship Society provides awards and scholarships to students attending public post-secondary institutions throughout the province and internationally. Since its inception, $39 million has been distributed to B.C. students from its six scholarship and award programs. The Victoria Foundation provides administrative support to the Society.

“I am proud to witness the transformative impact these scholarships have on Indigenous students across British Columbia,” notes Society Chair, Firas Abbasi. “Education empowers individuals and strengthens communities, and through these scholarships, we are working to remove barriers that hinder access to higher education. Our thanks to the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills for their generous endowment, which makes this crucial support possible.”

Learn More:

Eligibility criteria and application instructions for Indigenous Student Awards are available at:

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR 2025 AWARDS IS APRIL 2, 2025

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Media contact: Rory Grewar, Program Director, BC Scholarship Society

Phone: 1-844-478-4645 | Email: rgrewar@bcscholarshipsociety.ca

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