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Indigenous Student Bursary (ISB)

The Indigenous Student Bursary was created by the Government of Ontario to provide financial aid to students who self-identify as Indigenous, and are attending a publicly assisted college, university, or Indigenous institute. An Indigenous person in Canada is considered those who reported being an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nation, Métis or Inuk (Inuit).

At Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to award this bursary.

This bursary is only available in the fall and winter semesters. This bursary is available on the university's scholarship management platform, AwardSpring (external link) . Please refer to your AwardSpring profile during the specified time to apply.


This bursary is not available in the spring/summer semester.

This bursary is only available in the fall and winter semesters. This bursary is available on the university's scholarship management platform, AwardSpring (external link) . Please refer to your AwardSpring profile during the specified time to apply.


This bursary is not available in the spring/summer semester.

Students must first create a profile on the university's scholarship management platform, AwardSpring (external link, opens in new window) . To be matched to the ISB, students must complete all three of the following points:

  • Indicate that they wish to be assessed for awards with financial need on their AwardSpring profile
  • Demonstrate their financial need by completing a budget form on their AwardSpring profile
  • Declare that they are an Indigenous student on their AwardSpring profile

In addition to the requirements of being a self-identified Indigenous student and meeting financial need, students must also meet additional requirements to be eligible for the bursary. Please visit AwardSpring (external link, opens in new window)  for the most detailed and up-to-date list of requirements.

Eligible Indigenous Student Bursary recipients will receive their funds by an electronic payment tool, PayMyTuition. For details on how to use this tool, visit MyServiceHub Support: Student Refunds.

  • The Indigenous Student Bursary is exempt as study period income. A student’s OSAP entitlement will not be impacted if they are the successful recipient of this bursary.
  • If you are the successful recipient of the Indigenous Student Bursary, please do not report it on your OSAP application. Our Student Financial Assistance team reports all awards, scholarships, and bursaries administered by the university onto your OSAP application.

Accidentally reported your bursary on your OSAP application? Learn more about how to update this information under the Scholarship, Award, and/or Bursary Recipients tab on Information by Student Group.

TMU Land Acknowledgement

Toronto is in the Dish With One Spoon Territory. The Dish With One Spoon is a treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee that bound them to share the territory and protect the land. Subsequent Indigenous Nations and peoples, Europeans and all newcomers have been invited into this treaty in the spirit of peace, friendship and respect.