First Nations Resource Development Scholarship

The First Nations Resource Development Scholarship was announced in the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario.

“The government is investing $10 million over three years to create new scholarship opportunities for First Nation students interested in pursuing careers in resource development. Ontario’s colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes play a key role in ensuring Ontario’s mining sector has a highly skilled workforce to drive its economy.”

The scholarship is intended to respond to the financial barriers faced by First Nations students across Ontario wishing to enter postsecondary institutions and to increase enrolment in programs related to the mining sector, where industry has identified a significant labour need.

The objective of the scholarship is to support students in offsetting educational costs associated with the mining-related programs, including tuition, ancillary fees, textbooks and program equipment.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Self-identify as a Status or Non-Status First Nations student
• Registered with Sheridan’s Centre for Indigenous Learning and Support
• Enrolled in one of the following programs:
  Mechanical Techniques
  Electrical Techniques
  Computer Engineering Technician
  Mechanical Engineering Technician
  Electromechanical Engineering Technician
  Environmental Technician
  Welding and Fabrication Technician
  Mechanical Technician
  Electrical Engineering Technician
  Environmental Control

Scholarship amounts will take into consideration the following costs:

• Tuition paid to a maximum of the advertised tuition cost
• Ancillary fees required to complete the program
• Required/mandatory program costs, which may include but are not limited to electronic devices for online learning, textbooks, costs related to placement prerequisites, personal protective equipment/safety equipment, field gear, and certification fees (e.g., WHMIS, First Aid).

If eligible, you may also receive up to $1,250 to subsidize expenses necessary to support your attendance in the program, including but not limited to: transportation; childcare and accommodation costs. The ministry does not require you to provide receipts for these expenses.

If selected for this scholarship, you are required to provide your Social Insurance Number (SIN) r to Sheridan via myStudentCentre to meet reporting requirements to the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. Instructions to securely submit your SIN can be found in the Online Service Hub article Submit Your Social Insurance Number (SIN).