The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) offers one of the largest and most comprehensive Indigenous scholarship programs in Canada. This program aims to increase Indigenous youth’s access to post-secondary education and support their academic and professional success.
Background and Goals
RBC launched its Indigenous Scholarship Program in 1994 to help close socioeconomic gaps faced by Indigenous communities in Canada. Some key goals of the program include:
- Increasing Indigenous representation in post-secondary institutions across Canada. Indigenous youth currently face barriers like a lack of role models, financial constraints, and challenges navigating the admissions process.
- Developing a diverse talent pipeline for RBC and other organizations. By supporting Indigenous students through their academic journeys, RBC aims to welcome more Indigenous professionals into the workforce.
- Empowering self-determination in Indigenous communities. Higher education leads to greater social mobility and community leadership over the long run. The scholarships play a role in advancing reconciliation and self-governance.
- Celebrating Indigenous cultures and knowledge systems. The program recognizes that Western and Indigenous ways of knowing are not mutually exclusive. It fosters a more inclusive model of learning.
Over the past 27+ years, RBC has awarded over C$21 million in scholarships to more than 4,000 Indigenous students across Canada and the United States. The program has made a meaningful positive impact on Indigenous youth’s access to post-secondary education.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for an RBC Indigenous Scholarship, applicants must meet the following general eligibility criteria:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
- Self-identify as First Nations (Status or Non-Status), Inuit, or Métis.
- Be accepted into a full-time program (minimum three courses per term or nine credits per term) at a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution. Eligible programs include college diplomas, university undergraduate degrees, or trades certificates.
- Demonstrate satisfactory academic performance. Minimum admission requirements are individual high school grades of 60% or university/college grade point average of 2.7/4.0 (or equivalent).
- Not be a recipient of other major renewable entrance scholarships/bursaries with a minimum of $5,000 annually.
- Submit a complete application with all required documents by the specified deadline.
In addition to the above, some scholarships have further criteria like field of study, proof of community engagement, letters of reference, personal statements, etc. Applicants must ensure they meet all eligibility requirements for the specific scholarships they wish to apply for.
Available Scholarships
RBC offers a wide range of scholarships targeted towards the diverse needs of Indigenous students across Canada:
RBC Indigenous High School Leaders Scholarship
- Value: $2,000 renewable
- Eligibility: Graduating high school students entering full-time post-secondary
- Selection based on: Leadership, community involvement, academic achievement
RBC Indigenous Undergraduate Scholarship
- Value: $4,000 renewable
- Eligibility: Currently enrolled Indigenous undergraduate students
- Selection based: Academic merit, demonstrated leadership
RBC Indigenous Graduate Scholarship
- Value: $5,000 (non-renewable)
- Eligibility: Accepted into a master’s or PhD program
- Selection-based: Research proposal, letters of reference, academic potential
RBC Indigenous Vocational Award
- Value: $2,000 (non-renewable)
- Eligibility: Attending vocational/skills training program under two years
- Selection based: Program relevance, career goals, financial need
RBC Indigenous Achievers Scholarship
- Value: $20,000 (half awarded as entrance, half as renewal)
- Eligibility: Exceptional high school graduates
- Selection based: Academics, leadership, community service
The generous values, renewability, and diverse focus areas allow a wide cross-section of Indigenous students to receive support tailored to their needs. Scholarships can be used for tuition, living expenses, books, or other academic costs.
Application Process
Applying to the RBC Indigenous Scholarship Program is straightforward but does involve some preparation to maximize one’s chances of success:
Timing
There are typically two annual intake periods – applications open in early January for fall term admission and early June for winter term admission. Check precise deadlines on the RBC website. Allow 4-6 weeks for processing.
Online Portal
Create an account on the RBC Indigenous Scholarship application portal. This allows applicants to start, save, and submit applications online conveniently.
Eligibility Quiz
Take the eligibility quiz to determine scholarship options based on current education level and program of study. Only apply to scholarships you are fully eligible for based on criteria.
Required Documents
Common documents required include proof of Indigenous ancestry/community, transcripts, letters of reference, resume, written statement of career goals and community impact.
Evaluation Criteria
Research the evaluation criteria listed for each specific scholarship to understand what will be assessed – academics, experience, fit, potential impact, etc. Tailor your application accordingly.
Review Applications
Allow time for peers/mentors to review draft applications before final submission. Ask them to provide constructive feedback on your statements and overall application strengths.
Submit on Time
Meet all deadlines to ensure full consideration. Incomplete or late applications may not be reviewed. Submit applications well in advance of deadlines if possible.
Following this process helps candidates put their best foot forward and improves their chances of standing out among competitive applicant pools. Thorough preparation is key to securing these impactful educational funding opportunities.
Selection Process
RBC has developed a thorough yet equitable selection process to identify the most deserving candidates across diverse circumstances and backgrounds:
Initial Screening
Application eligibility requirements like citizenship, Indigenous identity proof, academic standing etc. are verified during the initial screening. Incomplete applications are disqualified.
Evaluation Committee
A committee consisting of RBC employees, Indigenous elders/leaders, and academic professionals evaluates eligible applications. They assess based on published selection criteria for each specific scholarship.
Scoring System
A standardized scoring system is used to evaluate different selection criteria – academic merit, letters of reference, personal statement quality, extracurricular involvement etc. This allows for objective comparison.
Candidate Shortlisting
Top scoring candidates are shortlisted and their submitted documents are re-verified for accuracy. Shortlisted files move to final review and selection committee.
Interviews (selective scholarships)
Some programs involve candidate interviews to assess suitability, goals, and potential through direct interaction. Interviews are conducted via video/phone due to geographical constraints.
Final Selection
The most exceptional candidates emerge based on a consensus-building holistic review of their full applications, scoring and other evaluation steps. Final awardees are notified by email/mail usually within 4-6 weeks of the application deadline.
This multi-stage merit-based process carefully considers each qualified applicant’s unique experiences and ensures selection fairness. It results in identifying scholars who are most motivated toward academic excellence and community engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we have covered the key aspects of the RBC Indigenous Scholarship Program in-depth let’s address some commonly asked questions:
1. Can I apply if I am a part-time student?
No, RBC scholarships are only open to applicants enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program. Most scholarships also require ongoing full-time study to be renewed annually.
2. Do grades have to be a certain level to qualify?
While minimum grade/GPA requirements vary, applicants are generally expected to demonstrate satisfactory academic performance, usually a high school average of 60%+ or post-secondary GPA of 2.7/4.0 or higher. Check specific criteria.
3. Can international students living in Canada apply?
No, this program is only open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis). Status or lineage has to be provable with documents.
4. How competitive are these scholarships?
RBC receives thousands of applications each year for a limited number of scholarships. Acceptance rates are typically below 10%. Candidates with the strongest complete applications, scores, and fit have the best chances.
5. Can I still apply if I missed the deadline?
No, RBC does not accept or review any applications submitted after the published annual deadlines under any circumstances. Candidates must plan in advance and submit on time.
Conclusion
The RBC Indigenous Scholarship Program demonstrates the bank’s commitment to empowering Indigenous youth and helping close socioeconomic gaps within communities. Through over 25 years, it has changed tens of thousands of lives by making post-secondary education financially accessible.
For eligible Indigenous students, these renewable and non-renewable scholarships present an invaluable opportunity to focus on academic success without financial stressors.
