Concordia University is waiving tuition fees for First Nations and Inuit students in Quebec

Starting in the fall of 2024, Montreal’s Concordia University is introducing a new tuition waiver for First Nations and Inuit students from communities across Quebec. The new program will cover most undergraduate and graduate programs and apply to full-time and part-time studies.

The initiative is part of Concordia’s efforts toward reconciliation and follows the university’s Indigenous Directions Action Plan, which was created, in part, in response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

According to Anne Whitelaw, Concordia’s provost and vice-president academic, the goal is to reduce financial barriers and support Indigenous students in their educational journeys.

“We’ve been reviewing a tuition waiver model for several years,” Whitelaw said in a press release. “It is key to ensuring Indigenous students continue to see Concordia as a viable and sustainable partner in their higher education plans.”

Concordia joins other Canadian universities, such as the University of Waterloo, the University of Toronto, and McGill University, in offering programs that reduce financial barriers for Indigenous students.

According to the university, what makes Concordia’s model unique is that it’s available to students from all 11 Indigenous Nations in Quebec, including Inuit students, and not just those in the university’s immediate vicinity.

With Concordia’s new tuition waiver, eligible students will have all of their tuition and mandatory fees covered. For independent students, this is up to a maximum of 30 credits. However, it’s important to note that the waiver doesn’t cover additional costs like books, course materials, or fees for things like lab coats and field trips.

To qualify, students must be members of one of the 11 qualifying First Nations or Inuit communities in Quebec and be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, including certificates, diplomas, bridging programs, or microprograms. Independent students at Concordia are also eligible.

However, some programs are not included in this waiver, such as the Executive MBA (EMBA), the Investment Management MBA (GIIM), the Master of Investment Management (MIM), and programs offered through Concordia Continuing Education.

As part of Concordia’s announcement, llan Vicaire, senior advisor of Indigenous Directions, pointed out that while some financial aid is available for Indigenous students looking to attend university, it’s not always simple and easy to access.

According to Vicaire, there’s a common misconception that First Nations and Inuit students automatically get their tuition covered by their band councils or education authorities, but that’s not always how it works.

Vicaire explained that not all band councils have the resources to support everyone in their community who wants to go to university. Even when funding is available, there can be conditions attached, like maintaining a certain GPA or being enrolled full-time, which might not work for everyone’s situation. This can make it challenging for students to get the financial help they need to pursue their studies.

Manon Tremblay, senior director of Indigenous Directions, described Concordia’s new tuition waiver as “a much-needed addition, as it will open the door for more First Nations and Inuit students to choose to pursue higher education at Concordia while reducing some of the financial burden.”

The full eligibility criteria can be found online, which includes information about qualifying communities in Quebec and the full application process.

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