Learn about the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
OSAP provides students with a combination of loans and grants based on a student’s financial need. Indigenous students may choose to accept the “grant-only” portion of their assessed funding. Have questions? Reach out to Kayla Sunshine, Indigenous Financial Aid Specialist (sunshink@mcmaster.ca).
Eligibility
OSAP is for Ontario residents only. To qualify for OSAP as an Indigenous student, you must complete the following:
- Self-identify as an Indigenous person (First Nation, Inuit, Métis) under the Citizenship Status section of the OSAP application.
- Upload supporting documentation as proof.
Indigenous learners attending a post-secondary institution in Ontario may be exempt from the $3,600 per year, fixed student contribution required from all OSAP applicants. To qualify, you must submit documentation confirming your Indigenous identity 40 days before the end of your study period.
Your OSAP assistance will not be delayed because of the supporting documentation requirement, but the exemption will not be reflected until the documentation is reviewed. If accepted, you will be exempt from the fixed student contribution which may result in additional loan and/or grant assistance from OSAP. If you do not meet this deadline, your OSAP assessment will not be updated to include the fixed student contribution exemption.
How to apply
Apply for OSAP every year through the OSAP website. Note that your application process depends on whether you’re a full-time or part-time student.
- We recommend applying by June 30 to make sure you get your funding by the beginning of September.
- Complete the consent to release section of the OSAP application if you would like a parent, spouse or sibling to assist on your behalf.
- Choose McMaster University as your institution (Mohawk and Conestoga Nursing students, select your college, not McMaster).
- If you plan on taking courses in both the fall and winter terms, you only need one application. You must fully enrol in both terms before OSAP funding is released.
- Grad students (non-MBA): If your program includes fall, winter and spring/summer courses, you can apply for all three terms using one application.
- MBA students: You must apply one term at a time.
The OSAP application requires you to complete the Signature and Consent Declaration pages. You may also be asked for additional documents including income information, transcripts from other colleges/universities, etc. These documents can be uploaded directly to your application by logging into your OSAP account.
For more information, visit the Registrar’s Office website: OSAP/Government Aid.
Common questions about OSAP
Does Band Funding affect the amount of OSAP I’ll receive?
No. Indigenous students do not have to declare funding they receive from PSSSP on their OSAP application. Also, scholarships and bursaries will not affect your PSSSP or OSAP entitlement.
Am I eligible for OSAP if I’m receiving Band Funding?
Yes, Indigenous students are eligible to apply for OSAP even if they are receiving Band Funding.
Do I have to take the loans portion on OSAP?
No. You are not required to take any loans from OSAP, but we encourage all Indigenous students to apply as there are bursaries and grants available!
Do I need to have OSAP or government aid funding to apply for scholarships?
No, you can apply for scholarships, bursaries and awards without applying to OSAP. However, we encourage all Indigenous students to apply as there are bursaries and grants available!
What is a grant?
Grants are money that you do not have to pay back.
Learn about the Post-Secondary Student Support Program and Band Funding
Funding support for Indigenous students to access education opportunities at the post-secondary level. Have questions? Reach out to Kayla Sunshine, Indigenous Financial Aid Specialist (sunshink@mcmaster.ca).
Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, students must maintain a satisfactory academic standing within an eligible post-secondary institution. These include:
- Educational institutions affiliated with, or those that deliver post-secondary programs by arrangement with a post-secondary institution.
- First Nations-designated and directed institutions.
Funding for this program is provided to First Nations or designated organizations as part of core funding agreements with Indigenous governments and organizations. First Nations are responsible for determining the selection criteria and funding allocations in accordance with the provisions of their funding agreement and national program guidelines.
What does it cover?
Eligible costs covered by the program can include:
- Tuition
- Books
- Travel support
- Living allowances
How to apply
Students should reach out to their community to inquire about applying for PSSSP/Band Funding. If you need assistance, please reach out to the Indigenous Financial Aid Specialist (indigfas@mcmaster.ca).
For more information, visit the Registrar’s Office website: OSAP/Government Aid.
Learn about the Jay Treaty Fee Adjustment
McMaster University is referencing their responsibilities under the Jay Treaty of 1794 by extending domestic (Ontario) tuition fees to Indigenous students whose ancestral homelands are within the United States or another Canadian province. Have questions? Reach out to Kayla Sunshine, Indigenous Financial Aid Specialist (sunshink@mcmaster.ca).
What are scholarships and bursaries?
- Scholarships (also called awards) are funding that’s awarded based on your academic and extracurricular achievements. Some are automatically awarded based on grades and others require an application.
- Bursaries are funding provided by McMaster based solely on financial need. In most cases, information from your OSAP application is used to determine your financial need, but some students who don’t receive OSAP may still apply for a bursary.
- Both are non-repayable funding, which means you don’t need to pay them back!
While the scholarships listed below are specifically for Indigenous students, you may also apply for general scholarships you’re eligible for. Have questions? Reach out to Kayla Sunshine, Indigenous Financial Aid Specialist (sunshink@mcmaster.ca).
Scholarships and bursaries for Indigenous students
Marjorie Anderson Financial Award
Established in 2017 in honour of Marjorie Anderson (Class of ’35) of the Six Nations of the Grand River territory, the first Indigenous woman to graduate from McMaster.
Value: $80,000 ($20,000 per year)
Eligibility:
- Self-identify as Inuit, or as Status/Non-status First Nations from the Six Nations of the Grand River or the Mississauga of the New Credit.
- Students entering McMaster at any level of an undergraduate program. Not open to second-degree students.
Adella Margaret Bragg Scholarship
This award was generously established in 2010 through a bequest from Adella Margaret Bragg. It can be renewed for up to three years.
Value: $12,000 (4,000 each year)
Eligibility:
- Female-identifying student.
- From the Six Nations of the Grand River territory.
- Currently enrolled in any undergraduate program at McMaster.
ionkihahonnien:ni “They Are Making a Path for Us” Bursary
In 2024, McMaster announced the ionkhihahonnién:ni bursary to support Indigenous students from Haudenosaunee and Mississauga nations.
Value: Funding will be tailored to meet individual needs by addressing funding gaps in tuition costs and cost-of-living expenses such as housing, childcare and transportation.
Eligibility:
- A member from a Haudenosaunee or Mississauga nation.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Complete and submit the application by the deadline.
- Undergraduate or Graduate Program, or enrolled in a McMaster Continuing Education course. Students will be required to submit documentation to verify their Indigenous Ancestry in adherence with the Indigenous Ancestry Verification Guidelines.
Access Award
The Acces Award helps academically qualified students from equity-deserving groups find pathways to higher education. This includes mentorship, employment options and academic supports to set you up for success.
Value: Up to $25,000 per year towards tuition and other costs associated with attending McMaster (tenable for up to four years), plus a guaranteed McMaster University work experience
Eligibility:
- Currently hold at least a high school diploma or has an expected completion date of June.
- Are eligible to apply to an undergraduate degree program for September.
- Are committed to academic excellence.
- Permanently reside in the Golden Horseshoe Area.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Belong to an equity-deserving group as defined in the application.
The Harvey E. Longboat Graduate Scholarship
The Harvey E. Longboat Graduate Scholarship is open to:
- Incoming or returning graduate students (master’s or PhD) of First Nation, Inuit or Métis descent.
- Applicants who will be attending McMaster University in the September 2024 to August 2025 academic year. Students must intend to be enrolled for a minimum of two terms.
Value: Several students may receive this award simultaneously. A total value of $30,000 in scholarship is available for the Harvey E. Longboat Award, to be dispersed according to the following division:
- $15,000 awarded to one individual recipient; and
- $15,000 awarded to either one individual OR divided and awarded to several recipients (typically 2–5 awards, at the discretion of the selection committee).
Note: The Harvey Longboat Award is not exclusive to students from the Six Nations of the Grand River Communities; the application is open to any current graduate student (or applicant to a graduate program at McMaster University) who identifies as First Nation, Inuit, or Métis.
Learn more on the Registrar’s Office website: Scholarships and Bursaries. You can also use the Funds Finder tool and filter by “Indigenous.”