Health Program Bursaries – Indigenous Student Recruitment Bursary

This bursary has been developed through the Ministry of Health’s Health Human Resource Strategy and is designed to support Indigenous student enrollment and retention in priority health education programs across B.C.

What is available?

The Indigenous Student Recruitment Bursary is available to students who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis, and are enrolled in eligible health programs between September 1, 2023 to October 1, 2025. This bursary is only awarded once in a 12-month period at a rate of $5,000 per recipient per program year.

  • The Indigenous Student Recruitment Bursary is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents only.

Am I eligible?

You may be eligible if you:

  • Are enrolled in an eligible health program as of September 1, 2023 at a public B.C. post-secondary institution that leads to a Certificate, Diploma or Degree recognized for practice in B.C.
  • Eligible programs are:
    • Dietitian
    • Midwifery
    • Nurse Practitioner
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Physical Therapy
    • Practical Nursing
    • Psychiatric Nursing
    • Speech Language Pathology

Note:

  • For part-time students in eligible health programs, the maximum bursary amount received will be based on coursework completed, not time spent to complete the program.
  • Students receiving other Ministry related incentive bursaries (e.g. APN Education Incentive Bursary) or whose tuition and fees are being paid through Employer Sponsored Earn and Learn Programs are not eligible for the Indigenous Student Recruitment Bursary.
  • Indigenous students in qualifying Practical Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing programs are also eligible to receive the Nursing Student Tuition Grant of $2,000 per program year.
  • Students in eligible health programs receiving tuition support from First Nations Bands are still able to receive the Indigenous Student Recruitment Bursary.

How do I apply?

There is no need to apply for this bursary. If you are enrolled in one of the eligible programs, you will be automatically assessed by your post-secondary institutions’ student financial aid office and a tuition credit will be applied. In the case that tuition has already been paid by a third party, a student credit will be applied to your account.

For more information, please contact the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills – Post-Secondary Programs Branch at psfs.post-secondaryprogsbr@gov.bc.ca