Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts:
The Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative (MSBI) is a provincially matched funding program that supplements private donations to eligible post-secondary institutions. Each school decides how to award the combined funds as non-repayable scholarships, bursaries, and grants. Eligibility criteria and application processes vary by institution — contact your school’s financial aid office directly to find out what is available.
The Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative (MSBI) is a provincial program that amplifies private donations to Manitoba post-secondary institutions. The provincial government contributes funding to eligible schools at a matching ratio of $1 for every $2 in private donations received. Each institution then combines this provincial funding with its matched private donations and distributes the total as non-repayable scholarships, bursaries, and grants to students.
Because the MSBI works through individual institutions, the types of awards available, the amounts, and the eligibility criteria differ from school to school. There is no single provincial application — each institution manages its own MSBI-funded awards independently.
Eligible Institutions
The following Manitoba post-secondary institutions participate in the MSBI. Contact your school’s financial aid or awards office directly for details on what scholarships and bursaries are available and how to apply:
- Assiniboine Community College
- Booth University College
- Brandon University
- Canadian Mennonite University
- Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
- Providence University College and Theological Seminary
- Red River College Polytechnic
- Steinbach Bible College
- Université de Saint-Boniface
- University College of the North
- University of Manitoba
- University of Winnipeg
Eligibility Criteria
There are no fixed provincial eligibility requirements for MSBI awards — each participating institution sets its own criteria for the scholarships and bursaries it offers from its MSBI funding. This means requirements such as GPA minimums, program of study, financial need thresholds, and residency conditions vary by school and by award type.
To find out whether you qualify for a specific award at your institution, contact the school’s financial aid or awards office. Most institutions publish their available awards and criteria on their websites or through their student services offices.
Pro Tip:
Reach out to your school’s financial aid office early in the academic year. Many MSBI-funded awards have limited availability and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis or by application deadline. Missing the window at your institution means waiting until the following year.
How to Apply
There is no central provincial application for MSBI awards. The process is managed entirely at the institutional level. Contact the financial aid or student awards office at your post-secondary institution to find out what MSBI-funded scholarships and bursaries are currently available, what criteria apply, and how and when to apply. Requirements and deadlines will vary.
How Much Can You Get?
Award amounts are determined by each institution based on the total funding available and how it chooses to structure its awards. Some schools offer a large number of smaller bursaries; others may offer fewer but higher-value scholarships. The amount you receive, if any, will depend on the specific awards your institution offers and your eligibility for them.
MSBI awards are non-repayable and can be combined with other sources of financial assistance, including Manitoba Student Loans and Canada Student Grants.
Other Financial Aid Options
In addition to MSBI awards from your institution, you may be eligible for other Manitoba and federal funding programs. The Manitoba Student Loan provides interest-free provincial and federal loan funding assessed through a single application. The Business Council of Manitoba Indigenous Education Awards supports Indigenous students with tuition, books, and supplies. Federal programs including Canada Student Grants, Canada Student Loans, Federal Student Scholarships, and Federal Student Bursaries may also be available to you.
Ready to find a program? Explore eligible schools today.
