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 prospective First Nations, Métis, or Inuit student, you may be eligible for funding. 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.
We encourage all students of Indigenous ancestry to declare their ancestry when they apply for admission on ApplyAlberta on the "Citizenship" page.
Application fee waiver
Each applicant of Indigenous ancestry is entitled to two free-of-charge admissions applications per academic year. The applicant may choose which application will receive an application fee waiver by requesting it through an online form. The fee waiver request must be made within thirty days of the application being submitted.
The applicant must still qualify for admission and is responsible for payment of tuition and student 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.
Tuition deposit waiver
The “tuition deposit” is a non-refundable fee an applicant normally pays to accept their offer of admission and reserve their seat in a program. This payment is saved by the College and put towards your course tuition. Applicants of Indigenous ancestry who receive an offer of admission can request a waiver of their tuition deposit. This means you will not need to pay the deposit and it will be charged at your normal tuition deadline. This helps remove a barrier for Indigenous students who may receive funding from their Indigenous funding agency or sponsor.
Within a day of receiving your offer of admission email, you will automatically get an email called “You can request a tuition deposit waiver.” This email will tell you how to request confirmation from your funding agency or sponsor, or how to receive a waiver from the Iniikokaan Centre and Student Recruitment. You must request this waiver before your tuition deposit deadline in your offer of admission.
If you do not receive the tuition deposit waiver instructions, check your junk/spam folder or contact the Bow Valley College Welcome Centre at 403-476-2256.
Funding information for Indigenous students
Below you can find information and useful links related to funding opportunities. We also have a PDF download available that lists Funding Sources for Indigenous Students.
If you need to know how to determine your banding for Indigenous funding options we have put together a quick guide which you may also find useful.
View the banding quick guide
Indigenous Financial Empowerment
Bow Valley College provides culturally appropriate money management services and programs to support Indigenous students with their financial wellness. Meet with an Indigenous Financial Coach to work on your personal financial goals, attend workshops, or participate in the Seasons of Saving program. For more information contact us at Indigenous Financial Coach or click the button below to book an appointment.
Useful Links
Contact your local Band Office for further information, or go to the Indigenous Services Canada Website.
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.
Rupertsland Institute (RLI) is an affiliate of the Métis Nation of Alberta, and provides post-secondary financial aid to Métis students.
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.
Use the Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool to search 688 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.
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.
Our student awards program supports students' success. We offer financial help and recognize accomplishments in a learner's journey. Find out more information on Scholarships and bursaries page.
- 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
