First Nations Resource Development Scholarship

The First Nations Resource Development Scholarship is intended to respond to the financial barriers faced by First Nations students across Ontario wishing to enter postsecondary institutions and to increase enrolment in programs related to the mining sector where industry has identified a significant labour need.
The objective of the scholarship is to support students in offsetting educational costs associated with the mining-related programs, including tuition, ancillary fees, textbooks, and program equipment.
Funding will cover costs for a portion of the academic year from January 1, 2026, to July 31, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria
The First Nations Resource Development Scholarship is open to all status and non-status First Nations students enrolled in the following eligible mining-related programs:
-Mechanical Techniques
-Mechanical Engineering Technician
-Environmental Technician
-Instrumentation Engineering Technician – Process Automation and Control
Students will need to be members of or connected to a First Nation community in Ontario.
Status First Nations students should provide a copy of their status card. Non-status First Nations students, or those who have lost their status card, should provide a letter or statement from their band, on official letterhead signed by an authorized signatory, confirming the applicant’s connection to the community.
Students applying for this scholarship do not need to demonstrate financial need.

Direct Educational Supports
The scholarship can be used to subsidize student tuition, ancillary fees, and program costs. Program costs may include but are not limited to electronic devices for online learning, textbooks, costs related to placement prerequisites, personal protective equipment/safety equipment, field gear, and certification fees (e.g., WHMIS, First Aid).
Each eligible student will also receive a fixed amount of $1,250 in 2025-26 to subsidize expenses necessarily incurred to support their attendance in their program, including but not limited to: transportation, childcare, and accommodation costs.

Bursary Exemption for Study Period Income
For the 2025-26 academic year, the First Nations Resource Scholarship is not considered a resource for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) assessment purposes. As such, it is exempt as study period income and will not impact a recipient’s OSAP entitlement if awarded for the 2025-26 academic year only.

*Should you require a paper copy of this application, please email financialaid@confederationcollege.ca.

Notice of Collection of Personal Information
If the student is selected as the recipient of the FNRD Scholarship, the Ministry will indirectly collect student’s personal information from their post-secondary institution pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 4 of s. 15(1) of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act.
If a student is selected as the recipient of the FNRD Scholarship, the personal information collected by the Ministry will include information on their program of study and year of study at the post-secondary institution. The Ministry uses this personal information to administer the FNRD Scholarship program, which includes planning or delivering the program, allocating resources, evaluating or monitoring the program, and detecting, monitoring and preventing fraud or any unauthorized receipts of services or benefits related to the program. If student is selected as the recipient of the FNRD Scholarship, and student has applied for OSAP assistance, the Ministry will also use their personal information for the purposes of administering OSAP.
If you have any questions about the Ministry’s collection or use of your personal information, please contact: Director, Student Financial Assistance Branch, Ministry of Colleges and Universities, PO Box 4500, 189 Red River Road, 4th Floor, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 6G9; 807-343-7260