Indigenous Awards

 How to Apply – New Applicants Only

If you are a previous recipient wishing to renew your Indigenous Student Award, please see instructions for doing so at this webpage.

 

How to submit an application

Applications for the Indigenous Student Awards are now closed. Late applications will NOT be considered.

Applications will reopen in January 2027.

To apply as a new applicant:

  1. Create an account (or login, if you already have one) on the SM Apply website HERE and provide responses to a series of questions regarding your eligibility for an Award.
  2. If you are found to be eligible, you will automatically begin the application form. Your work is saved as you go and you may continue to edit the application form until you submit your fully completed application.
  3. New applicants must provide confirmation of Indigenous identity. You may do this by uploading documentation such as a status/membership card, or by providing the email address of a Verifier from an Indigenous organization who will be asked to complete an online form confirming your ancestry.
  4. Master’s/Doctoral only: you must also provide an email address for a Reference who will confirm your community involvement.
  5. Once you have completed all components on the online form, AND have a confirmation of Indigenous ancestry/identity, click “Submit”.  (You will NOT be able to submit an application that is missing any supporting documentation.) Once you submit your application, you are no longer able to make edits.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the Society at info@bcscholarshipsociety.ca.

 

Statement on the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence)
We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often used today to assist in completing tasks requiring written communication. However, to prepare the best award/scholarship applications, only use AI as a tool to help with the technical aspects of writing such as format, grammar and word choice. Be sure that your responses to the questions on the application tell your story in your own words.
It is our experience that students who only use AI prepared responses to application questions do not score as highly as those who write in their own voice. Reviewers have noted that AI generated responses are often “uninteresting” and “unimaginative” and that this can result in lower scoring of applications. Reviewers are seeking to know and understand you and your story.