First Nations, Métis and Inuit Bursary

We are now accepting applications for the 2023 – 2024 academic year.

If you apply for the bursary during the first intake that ends June 1, 2023, you will be advised of your status by the last week of August 2023. If your application is received during the second intake that ends November 15, 2023, you will be advised of your status in January 2024.

Only online applications will be considered. You will need to use the link below to submit your application.

You will need to have a My Alberta Digital ID verified account to submit your application. Verifying your MADI account can take up to two weeks. For more information on this scroll to the bottom of this page. 

The First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) NADC Bursary is a return service bursary of varying amounts. Students in pre-apprenticeship training, or in a certificate or diploma studies can access up to $7,000 for their studies. Students in a Bachelor’s, Masters’ or PhD program can access $11,500 per year for any year of their studies.

The FNMI NADC bursary program provides funding for students in the form of a non-repayable bursary if you agree to live and work in the north for one year of full time employment in return for each year of bursary support received. Students must apply for the bursary for each year they want to be considered. The goal of this bursary is to assist FNMI students to obtain the skills and knowledge to enter or re-enter the workforce in northern Alberta.

To be eligible to apply for the FNMI NADC bursary, you must:

  • Have been a resident of Alberta for 12 consecutive months before the start of your program,
  • Be enrolled fulltime in a post-secondary program that is designated for provincial funding,
  • Be in a program that is at least 12 weeks in length for half of a bursary or 16 weeks for a full bursary,
  • Not be in default of a provincial student loan, and
  • Can provide proof of Indigenous Ancestry - First Nations Status Card, Metis Card, Inuit Card, Letter from your Band or Metis Settlement, or a letter from an Indigenous organization you are actively involved with.

Return Service Commitment

Selected recipients sign a return service contract with Alberta Advanced Education.

Bursary Application

Use this link to take you to our Bursary Online Applications , and select the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Bursary tile. We accept applications from February 10th until June 1st and from June 3 to November 15 of each year for the complete year of studies that starts in the fall between both intakes.

The NADC has updated its online bursary application.

You will need to have a My Alberta Digital ID (MADI) verified account to be able to submit your application. If you do not have an MADI verified account, use this link to find out how to get one.

If you are experiencing problems signing into the application portal with MyAlberta Digital Id (MADI) and receiving the following message “Sorry, we can’t find the page you’re looking for…”  please clear your history in the browser you are using.  This will fix the problem and you will be able to access the bursary application site.

You will now be able to apply from your computer, cellphone or tablet, save part way through the process and complete it later and see the current status of your application.