Education

Education

Education Resources Administered by BCAAFC

Post-Secondary Student Support Program
The Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) provides eligible First Nations students with funding to access education opportunities at the post-secondary level, including university and college entrance preparation programs.

First Citizens Fund Student Bursary Program
The First Citizens Fund (FCF) Student Bursary Program provides financial awards to Indigenous students enrolled in post-secondary education. Bursaries up to a maximum of $1,200 per funding cycle are awarded to students who meet all eligibility requirements and who demonstrate significant financial need. Students apply for the bursary after they successfully complete a semester of post-secondary school.

Encore “Make Your Moment” Bursary
The Encore “Make Your Moment” Bursary offers up to $1,200 to support an Indigenous student aged 18–24 pursuing studies in Hospitality, Event Planning, Film Production, Broadcasting, or Audio Engineering. Eligible applicants must be of Indigenous ancestry, permanent residents of B.C., and registered in a recognized Canadian post‑secondary institution, with priority given to students studying in B.C. We encourage all centres to help students apply for this opportunity.

Adult Education Opportunities

Master of Business Administration in Advancing Reconciliation
The Master of Business Administration in Advancing Reconciliation (MBAAR) is the world’s first custom MBA in Indigenous Reconciliation. The program critically examines barriers faced by Indigenous peoples accessing mainstream social services and centers on Indigenous-led solutions and Indigenous-defined metrics for success to inform the steps needed to achieve inclusivity and cultural safety in the sector.

Anti-racist Facilitation Training
Addressing Anti-Indigenous Racism in Adult Learning Environments is a hybrid program that will equip both new and practicing facilitators with the knowledge, self-awareness, and skills required to effectively address Indigenous-specific racism in their teaching and facilitation.

Other Student Resources

Indigenous Bursary Search Tool
Look for additional bursaries that you may be eligible for. The Indigenous bursaries search tool is a searchable list of 537 bursaries, scholarships and incentives aimed at Indigenous students across Canada. The Indigenous bursaries search tool is being updated. Students should confirm that the information listed in the tool is accurate by contacting each organization offering support.

Indigenous Youth Internship Program
A government-run 12-month paid internship program for Indigenous students (ages 19 to 29) living in British Columbia. (Formerly the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program.) The program mirrors the school year and runs annually from September to the following August. Interns are placed with a government ministry for 9 months, then with an Indigenous organization for 3 months.

AgedOut.com
AgedOut.com is for young adults who were in government care in BC. It’s an up-to-date warehouse of information on resources and services available to young adults and a learning tool to help people feel empowered as they leave care.

Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategy
Financial assistance to support Métis Nation students pursuing post-secondary education. Funding is allocated annually for direct financial support for Métis Nation post-secondary students.

Indspire
Indspire is a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.

Words from students..

Working With Our Communities

“Thank you for the wonderful bursary. Your gift has gone to pay for spring semester and the cost of living while being a student. For your generous gift, I will forever be grateful. I will repay you with the work I will be doing in community as a result.”

Future Opportunities

“I just wanted to say thank you to the BCAAFC. I am now finished my Business Degree program and am interested in Sustainability Management. I would like to start my own business in green house gas measurement and accountability and provide solutions to one of the biggest problems of our time: climate change. I hope to one day hire, employ, and restore the land that First Nations people roam and enjoy.”

Achieving Goals

“Thank you for your continued support of my education by endowing me with a student bursary. This bursary has gone towards my tuition at law school. It will help me to work towards my goal of Indigenous self determination and equality.”

Motivation for Life-Long Learning

“My time at university has taught me to trust in my abilities to tackle any problem set before me, while my education has motivated me to be a life-long learner. I cannot thank you enough for your financial support in making my education a reality. I would certainly not be where I am today without your support.”