The DeGroote School of Business Graduate Awards for Indigenous Learners aims to address inequities in access for Indigenous learners and to assist in removing barriers. Up to five (5) awards will be offered each year (for entrance in the fall term) and can be applied through the normal length of the program. Awards will cover the full cost of tuition in a DeGroote MBA program, as well as additional related expenses up to a maximum of $15,000 per academic year.

Incoming students to the MBA, MBA with Co-op, MBA Accelerated (Part-Time and Full-Time Program) and the Blended Learning Part-Time program are eligible to apply.

Eligibility

• Indigenous persons who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis people in Canada
• Incoming or returning graduate students to DeGroote’s MBA programs:
  • MBA Full Time
  • MBA with Co-op
  • Accelerate MBA Full Time and Part Time
  • Blended Learning Part-time MBA
• Demonstrated engagement in your Indigenous community and heritage

Value

• Full cost of tuition in an MBA program in the DeGroote School of Business, that can be applied through the normal length of the degree.
• Access to annual support for related expenses up to a maximum of $15,000 per academic year, tenable throughout the normal length of the degree. Living expenses will be allotted in $5,000 installments at the start of each academic term. Incidental expenses can include:
  • transportation to and from classes or residencies
  • living/hotel accommodations (Blended Learning Part-Time MBA residencies only)
  • meals
  • childcare expenses
  • textbooks
  • technology requirements (e.g., internet access)
  • additional ancillary fees

Criteria

• Offer of admission in a DeGroote MBA program.
• 1–2-page essay describing the influence your Indigenous heritage has on your volunteer activities, leadership opportunities, university program choice, career path, or other community involvement that is important to you.
• Reference letter or letter of support from a non-family member, highlighting your engagement within your Indigenous community (e.g., Urban Indigenous community, Indigenous student community at your current institution, home community/First Nation, etc.).

Decision process

Overseen by a Selection Committee coordinated by McMaster’s Indigenous Student Services office.

How to apply

1. Indigenous Ancestry Verification
   To be considered for these scholarships, applicants must have completed the Indigenous Ancestry Verification process through one of the two pathways below, and subsequently meet the criteria outlined in the Indigenous Ancestry Verification Guidelines. Please ensure you have submitted your documents for verification by the scholarship application deadline. If you have previouslycompleted the ancestry verification process via MOSAIC as a current or former McMaster student or staff member, you do not need to resubmit (a McMaster community member only needs to complete the ancestry verification process once in their McMaster career). The verification guidelines have been established by the Indigenous Education Council (IEC) and any questions about the process should be directed to iec@mcmaster.ca.
   • Pathway 1 for Applicants with a Macid (i.e., a current McMaster student, alumni, or staff member)
     • Complete the verification by logging into MOSAIC and following the instructions through the Mosaic tile
   • Pathway 2 for Applicants who do not yet have a MacID or access to MOSAIC (i.e., are new to McMaster)
     • Upload your ancestry documentation to Indigenous Student Services using this secure upload link. Please review the IEC guidelines to determine what documents to include.
2. Save the following documentation to PDFs
   • Community Involvement Statement (1-2 pages, minimum 10-point font, 1.5 spacing)
   • Reference Letter (on organizational letterhead, if applicable)
   • Budget Template
3. Save the PDF files using the below naming conventions:
   • Last Name_Community Involvement Statement
   • Last Name_Reference Letter
   • Last Name_Budget Template

Email the following documents to Chandani Sheth at shethc2@mcmaster.ca.

Questions

If you have any questions, please email Chandani Sheth, MBA Recruitment and Retention Officer, at shethc2@mcmaster.ca.

For the most up-to-date information about this award, visit the DeGroote School of Business website.