Sponsorship and Other Funding

Funding for Indigenous students

The following funding options exist for Status Indian/First Nations, Non-Status Indian/First Nations, Métis, or Inuit students:

• Band Funding: Aboriginal students may wish to contact their local band office for information regarding funding and sponsorship. Most bands do have sponsorship options available. 

• Funding for Métis students: Métis students from Saskatchewan may wish to contact Gabriel Dumont Institute to inquire about funding through the Individual Sponsorship Program (ISP). Métis students from Alberta may wish to contact Rupertsland Institute to inquire about funding through the Métis Training to Education program (MTE).

• Alberta Aboriginal Women's Society: Female First Nations, Métis and Inuit students from Alberta, living off reserve, may wish to contact the Alberta Aboriginal Women's Society to discuss available financial assistance.  Funding is available for 2 year programs and the final year of 4 year programs. The Alberta Aboriginal Women's Society does not have a website, but can be contacted Toll Free 1-877-622-3416, or by email aaws@telusplanet.net. 

• Congress of Aboriginal Peoples: Indigenous students living off-reserve may wish to apply for funding through the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ISETS) program, which is designed to help ​Indigenous Peoples prepare for, and find high-demand jobs that will help address Canada’s labour market challenges. Funded through Employment and Social Development Canada, the program is targeted to Indigenous Peoples living in urban, rural and remote areas throughout Canada. Those eligible to apply include Indigenous youth, women, single parents, mature workers, persons with disabilities and those experiencing career change or transition. For further details use the link above.

• Funding administered by Freehorse Family Wellness Society through INAC: Funding is available to students from certain Alberta Bands whose status is because of Bill C-31, and Inuit and NWT residing in Alberta for at least 12 months. Funding is provided for Academic upgrading/UCEP courses required for entrance into post-secondary programs, or an eligible certificate, diploma or a degree and may cover tuition, books and living allowance. Visit the website www.freehorse.org and follow the directions provided in the Handbook section. For questions call: 780 944 0172.

• Weaving Roots Foundation: Supports Indigenous peoples to gain employment in several fields including non-destructive testing (NDT), environmental services, professional services, and red seal trades, through the creation of an Indigenous Education Bursary program.  Indigenous youth finishing high school and wishing to complete education or training in one of the above fields, can visit https://www.weavingroots.ca/ to apply.  *Note, individuals needing assistance to obtain grade 12 credits to further their education or training are also encouraged to reach out.

Funding for apprenticeship students

You may qualify for assistance beyond employment insurance (EI) while you take your training. Have a look at these options:

• The Government of Canada Supports for Apprentices website outlining various funding options, including the Canada Apprenticeship Loan, Apprenticeship Incentive & Completion Grants, and the Alberta-Canada Job Grant.

• Apprentices who are Alberta residents can now also apply for Alberta Student Aid, to access provincial loans. To do so, you will need to complete the Full-Time Application, which is available online at: studentaid.alberta.ca/.

You may also want to visit the Alberta Tradesecrets website to learn about funding and scholarships that may be available to you.

Funding for students with disabilities

Students with disabilities may qualify for additional financial assistance through the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities, and/or the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities. Some provinces also offer provincial grant funding. 

To access any of these grants, you must first apply and qualify for student loan funding. For further details on how to apply, visit the student loan website for the province you reside in. 

If you are notified by student loans that you do not qualify for these grants, there may still be supports available to you. 

To inquire, please check out accessibility services at Lakeland College.

You may also want to check out the Scholarships for Students with Disabilities or Special Needs section of our external awards links page.

Skill upgrading and work retraining

Grant funding may be available to ​adults who require upgrading or basic training to get or keep a job. Residents of Alberta ​should inquire with their local Alberta Works or Alberta Supports Centre about funding options. For residents of Saskatchewan, the Provincial Training Allowance may be an option. Please note: High school students are not eligible for these programs.

If you currently receive WCB benefits you may be eligible for assistance. Contact the WCB directly.

Alberta WCB

Saskatchewan WCB 

 Funding for military personnel and their families

The Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund (CFPAF) administer​s ​a Student Line of Credit program (formerly known as the Education Assistance Loan Program) to meet the needs of the Canadian Forces Community in their pursuit of post-secondary education. For more information visit: Support our Troops.

Veterans Affairs Canada administers a program called the Veterans' Education and Training Benefit, which will ​provide funding for college, university or technical education to Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force and Reserve Force Veterans with at least six years of military service.

Canada Company began in May 2006 and has become an influential voice advocating for our troops at home and abroad. One of its roles is to support children of deceased military members in achieving their post-secondary education goals.  If you are a child of a deceased member of the military, you may qualify for funding through the Canada Company Scholarship Program or free tuition and services through Project Hero. 

As of 2020, the Government of Alberta has made available the Alex Decoteau Award of Honour to Canadian Armed Forces members or family members of Canadian Armed Forces Members who are deceased or were permanently disabled while serving (must be a spouse/common-law partner or child). The family member/applicant must be enrolled at a public post-secondary institution in Alberta in a post-secondary program that leads to an academic credential. Up to 200 awards of $5000 each are available.