Local First Nations Scholarship Program

Deadline to Apply: September 30th annually

The Local First Nations Scholarship Program at Western University is available to local First Nations students studying at Western’s main campus at the undergraduate, graduate, or professional levels on either a full-time or part-time basis. This scholarship is awarded based on outstanding academic performance, as well as meaningful and impactful contributions to First Nations communities.

Applicants are required to submit an essay of up to 2000 words, a reference letter, and their most recent transcripts for review. The annual deadline for submitting applications, including the essay, letter of reference, and transcripts, is September 30th.

Western University provides various financial aid options for all Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) students. However, this specific scholarship program is designed for local First Nations students associated with the London District Chiefs Council (LDCC) whose nations have longstanding relationships with the land where Western University is geographically located.

These communities include the following: 

  • Aamjiwnaang First Nation 
  • Caldwell First Nation 
  • Chippewas of the Thames First Nation 
  • Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation 
  • Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit Delaware Nation
  • Munsee Delaware First Nation 
  • Oneida Nation of the Thames
  • Bkejwanong Territory 

Value:

The scholarship awards are determined based on the student’s program and course load. Full-time undergraduate, graduate, and professional program students will receive $3000 per course, up to a maximum of $15,000 in an academic year. Part-time undergraduate and graduate program students will receive $3000 per course, up to a maximum of $9000 in an academic year.

Previous recipients and funded students are encouraged to reapply.

Application Requirements and Information:

  • All applicants must be from a local First Nation community associated with the London District Chiefs Council (LDCC). Each applicant must submit a copy of a valid Indian Status card to show that they are an enrolled citizen/member of one of the eight local First Nations communities.
  • All applicants must be registered on Western's main campus as an undergraduate, graduate, or professional program at the time of application.
  • All applicants must complete an application form and submit a 2000-word limit essay that explains (a) who they are, (b) why they are worthy recipients of this scholarship, and (c) how they will use their education to contribute to First Nations communities. For students reapplying please do not submit the same essay from previous applications.
  • If the applicant has any special considerations that need to be considered in their application, they should include a statement of up to 250 words along with their essay.
  • All applicants must provide unofficial transcripts which can be uploaded from the applicant's Student Centre. Student's current academic records with Western will be considered by the review committee including other transcripts used in the admission process, dependent on their year of study. If there is a need for additional information, the review committee will contact the applicant directly.
  • All applicants must provide a name and email address for one reference, either an educational contact (teacher, faculty member) or a community representative (Elder, mentor, cultural teacher).
  • Eligibility for OSAP will be impacted because this scholarship program is reported in Western’s system, as per OSAP policy.

How to apply:

To apply for the Local First Nations Scholarship Program, please use the application and reference forms provided below. Submit completed forms along with your essay, letter of reference, and copies of transcripts by September 30th at 11:59 pm (EST).

Application fORM

rEFERENCE FORM