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The First Nations Resource Development Scholarship (FNRDS)

Purpose

The First Nations Resource Development Scholarship (FNRDS) covers First Nations students’ direct educational costs associated with eligible mining and mining-related programs, including:

  • Tuition
  • Ancillary fees
  • Textbooks
  • Program equipment

How much can I get

The amount of the scholarship varies by school. Each scholarship is valued at the total cost of the program, as determined by your institution. It includes:

  • Tuition costs charged to the recipient
  • Any ancillary fees
  • Required program costs, which may include electronic devices for online learning, textbooks, placement prerequisite costs, personal protective equipment or safety equipment, field gear and certification fees (for example, WHMIS or First Aid)
  • An additional fixed amount of $1,250 per recipient for the 2025–2026 academic year to help subsidize expenses necessarily incurred to support their attendance in their program, including but not limited to: transportation; childcare and accommodation costs

Contact your school’s financial aid office for additional details.

Who is eligible

You may be eligible for this scholarship if you:

  • Attend a publicly assisted college, university or a recognized Indigenous Institute in Ontario
  • Are enrolled in an approved mining or mining-related program
  • Are a member of, or are connected to, a First Nations community in Ontario
  • Your school may have additional eligibility requirements. For more information about eligibility requirements and to confirm which programs qualify, contact your school’s financial aid office.

How to Apply

Contact your school to inquire about their scholarship application process. Their application will specify what supporting documents are required.

You don’t have to apply for OSAP for Full-Time Students or OSAP for Part-Time Students to be considered for this scholarship.

Deadlines

Application, document and review details for this scholarship vary by school. Check with your school’s financial aid office for details.

Checking your application status

Contact your school’s financial aid office if you have any questions about the status of your First Nations Resource Development Scholarship application.

Getting your aid

Your school determines how this scholarship is issued (for example, by cheque or reducing outstanding fees). Contact your school for details.