The Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative

Pursuing your post-secondary education while working can prove to be a costly and complex affair. We hear you. But before you lose heart and give up on your lifelong education and career dreams, we want to tell you that there’s a bright ray of hope on the horizon for all Manitobans, be it students or working professionals, who want to take up higher studies after work – The Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative. 

This comprehensive program can help you pursue the course of your choice to advance your career. The funding offered by this initiative is at par with private donations made to schools, following the same ratio of 1:2 (i.e. $1 from the government for every $2 in private donations). This translates to an amount of $10 million annually that the provincial government hands out to schools, who then divide this amount into non-repayable scholarships, bursaries, and grants. When the schools match up these donations, the available funding could amount to $30 million. 

Now that the basics are cleared up, let’s deep dive into the details of this program.

Eligibility Criteria 

There are no fixed eligibility criteria for The Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary initiative and it is dependent on the college/university you apply to. Here’s a list of the educational institutions that come under this program:

• Assiniboine Community College 
• Brandon University 
• Booth University College 
• Canadian Mennonite University 
• Manitoba Institute of Trades & Technology
• Providence 
• Red River College
• Steinbach Bible College
• University College of the North
• Université de Saint-Boniface
• University of Manitoba
• The University of Winnipeg

You can visit the website of the school you wish to apply to and learn more about their eligibility criteria. However, basic eligibility criteria still apply, which includes the following:

• You are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person of protected status.
• You are a resident of the province of Manitoba.
• The school/course you apply to must be designated by the aid (the list of the schools is given above).
• If you’re older than 22 years, and a first-time applicant, you should pass a credit check.
• You must pass 60% of your full-time course load for each term at your chosen college or university.
• If you’re studying in a private training school, you must pass 100% of your course load and must have a 90% or higher attendance record.

How to Apply 

When it comes to the application process for The Manitoba Scholarship and Bursaries, please check the website of the college you intend to apply to. You’ll mostly have to follow the standard application procedure, which involves creating your account with your personal email ID on the college’s website and following the instructions mentioned on it to the T. You may need to provide your previous school’s transcripts, so keep them handy. Check the website from time to time for any updates on your application status. Also, keep in touch with your school’s counsellors so they can help you out with the application process. 

How Much Can You Get

As mentioned earlier, the provincial government offers the amount of $10 million annually in the form of scholarships and bursaries in addition to the private donations received through the schools they apply to. The exact amount you get will vary based on the university or college you get into and the type of scholarship or bursary available there. The good thing is you can also make use of other funding options available to you along with The Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative to fund your education, in case the amount awarded to you doesn’t cover your educational expenses. 

Other Financial Aid Options

Unable to receive a Manitoba scholarship or bursary for your chosen course or institution? Don’t lose hope! You can still opt for other financial aid provided by the provincial government such as the Manitoba Student Loan and the Business Council of Manitoba – Indigenous Education Awards. You can also look at federal funding, and apply for Federal Student Loan, Federal Student Grant, Federal Student Scholarship and Federal Student Bursaries.