Post-Secondary Education Funding

Rupertsland Institute (RLI) provides post-secondary financial aid to Métis students to help reduce the cost of education and the financial burden it can create. RLI’s Post-Secondary Education (PSE) program supports Métis student success and helps increase post-secondary participation.

This program is made possible through a funding agreement between the Government of Canada and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation Within Alberta.

Please refer to the RLI Application System for current dates and updates.

In This Guide

Use the sections below to learn more about the program and how to apply:

• Eligibility & Required Documents: Find out who can apply, what eligibility requirements must be met, and what documents are needed to support an application.
• Funding at a Glance: Review the maximum funding available for full-time undergraduate study, graduate study, and childcare support. This section also explains how undergraduate year of study is determined, outlines expectations for continued funding, and provides information about tax implications and the disclosure of other funding sources.
• How to Apply: Review the steps to apply, how to submit your application through the portal, and what happens after you apply.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Read answers to questions about timelines, required documents, continued funding, childcare support, and more.
• PSE Criteria Update

Eligibility & Required Documents

Applicants must meet all program requirements. Rupertsland Institute will verify the information provided.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a member of the Otipemisiwak Métis Student & Alumni Association (OMSA)
• provide proof of Alberta Métis citizenship
• provide proof of Alberta residency
• be accepted into, or enrolled in, a recognized post-secondary degree program in Alberta or elsewhere in Canada. To see if your post-secondary institution is recognized, please click here.
• work with an RLI METI-S Advisor and commit to a Student Action Plan
• declare all sources of student funding the applicant is receiving from a Métis Government or organization, including: the Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation of British Columbia, Northwest Territory Métis Nation or Alberta Métis Settlements.

Students must apply in the Spring Application Period for Fall and Winter term start dates.

• If your Year 3 of study begins in January 2027, please apply upon opening of the application system for Post-Secondary Degree Programs.

You may apply if you are:

• A student accepted into an eligible post-secondary degree program
• A student currently enrolled in an eligible post-secondary degree program
• A mature student who has been accepted into an eligible post-secondary degree program

All applicants must be enrolled in a full-time capacity within their post-secondary degree program.. The Post-Secondary Education Program does not fund open studies, upgrading, or preparation courses.

Required Documents

Applicants must provide documentation that allows Rupertsland Institute to confirm eligibility and assess the application. Some documents are required from all applicants as part of the application process, while others may only be requested depending on the applicant’s circumstances, program, or stage of study. RLI may also request additional supporting documentation on a case-by-case basis where further clarification or verification is needed.

The examples below show the types of documents that may be used to demonstrate each requirement.

Required Documentation for All Applicants

Requirement	Acceptable Documents
Proof of Métis citizenship	Current Otipemisiwak Métis Government citizenship, verified through OMSA membership.
Proof of Alberta residency	Examples may include an Alberta driver’s licence or identification card, utility bill, lease or rental agreement, bank statement, or other official document showing the applicant’s name and current Alberta address
Proof of admission or enrollment in an eligible post-secondary program	A post-secondary acceptance letter, confirmation of enrollment/enrollment verification, registration document, or other official documentation from the institution
Proof of current or planned studies	A course schedule, registration summary, or other official record showing the courses or program in which the student is enrolled
Proof of academic history and completed credits	Recent transcripts. For undergraduate applicants, transcripts are also used to confirm year of study based on completed credits.
Disclosure of all funding sources	A signed disclosure form listing all funding the student is receiving or applying to receive.

Additional Documentation

Proof that the program is offered by an accredited post-secondary institution

Official program information from the institution, such as a program page, calendar entry, or other institutional documentation, where required. To see if your post-secondary institution is recognized, please click here.

Funding at a Glance

Study Type	Funding Available
Undergraduate – Year 1 (Full-Time)	Up to $9,000 (for Tuition + Academic Fees)
Undergraduate – Year 2 (Full-Time)	Up to $10,000 (for Tuition + Academic Fees)
Undergraduate – Year 3 (Full-Time)	Up to $11,000 (for Tuition + Academic Fees)
Undergraduate – Year 4 (Full-Time)	Up to $15,000 Includes a $1,000 holdback until proof of successful completion is received
Graduate Programs (Masters and Doctoral)	Up to $12,000 total Includes a $1,000 holdback until proof of successful completion is received

Childcare Support

Childcare support is available on a case-by-case basis for students enrolled full-time. Support is available for up to three dependents aged 12 and under, at a rate of $15 per training day, to a maximum of $75 per week, per child.

Undergraduate Year of Study

Funding levels for full-time undergraduate study are based on year of study. In undergraduate programs, year of study is determined by the number of completed credits shown on a student’s transcript or official student record, rather than by the number of calendar years they have attended post-secondary. Post-Secondary Education funding is disbursed as a lump sum for each academic year of study, and students must complete their current year of study before applying for funding for the next year.

In a standard 120-credit degree program, students are generally classified in alignment with the table below. For institutions that use a different credit structure, years of study will be assessed based on the equivalent number of completed credits in that program. If you are unsure which year of study to select, please contact an Academic Advisor at your institution for guidance before submitting your application.

 

Year of Study	Completed Credits
Year 1	0–29 completed credits
Year 2	30–59 completed credits
Year 3	60–89 completed credits
Year 4	90–120 completed credits

Returning Students & Continued Funding

Students must REAPPLY for funding for each academic year of study. Returning students are expected to maintain regular contact with their designated RLI METI-S Advisor and provide:

• Confirmation of enrollment
• Updated official transcripts
• A current course schedule

Please note that funding is limited. If required documents are not submitted in a timely manner and available funding is exhausted before an application is complete, the student may not receive funding for that academic year.

Tax Considerations

• All funding paid to students, or on behalf of students, is taxable income.
• Students will receive a T4A for all funding paid to them or on their behalf within the calendar year in which the funding was received.

Other Funding & Awards

Applicants must disclose and attest to all funding they are receiving or have applied to receive through the required Disclosure Form.

Receiving awards or funding from other sources does not automatically make an applicant ineligible for this program. However, applicants are responsible for reviewing the terms of any other award or funding they receive to ensure it does not affect their eligibility for RLI Post-Secondary Education (PSE) funding. For example, an applicant is eligible to receive both Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards funding and RLI PSE support. In other cases, funding from another source may make an applicant ineligible to also receive RLI Post-Secondary Education funding. For example, an applicant may not receive RLI PSE funding and awards through the Métis Education Foundation.

Applicants who are receiving financial support from another Métis government or organization are not eligible for RLI Post-Secondary Education funding. Information provided in an application may also be shared with relevant third parties, where necessary, to verify eligibility and support the review of the application.

How to Apply

Before You Apply

Before applying, please note that funding through Rupertsland Institute is limited. Submitting an application does not guarantee funding, as the number of applications may exceed available resources. Applicants should check the application website for current dates and updates.

Please note that your application is only considered complete when all required information and supporting documents have been submitted and received. Submitting an online application does not mean your file is complete. Partial applications will not be accepted, and missing, incomplete, or late documents may delay assessment or result in your application not being considered. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required documents are submitted on time.

Application Process

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Review the program requirements to make sure you are eligible to apply.

Step 2: Join the OMSA

Applicants must be members of the Otipemisiwak Métis Student & Alumni Association (OMSA).

Step 3: Complete the Online Application

• Visit rupertsland.org
• Create your Rupertsland Institute application account using a valid email address and password.
• Validate your email address when prompted.
• Read all instructions carefully, check all required boxes, and upload all mandatory documents.
• Submit your application once all required sections of the application are complete. Partial submissions will not be accepted.

After You Apply

• Applicants should not contact Rupertsland Institute for updates on application status.
• Rupertsland Institute will review and verify the information in your application.
• Due to high application volumes, there may be a waiting period before an RLI METI-S Advisor contacts you.
• Eligible applicants will be contacted by RLI staff to complete an assessment and commit to a Student Action Plan. Ineligible applicants will be notified via email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Funding Guaranteed?
No. Funding is limited and submitting an application does not guarantee funding, as the number of applications may exceed available resources. Applicants should check the application website for current dates and updates.

When Do Applications Open?
Please check the application website for current dates and updates.

Who Can Apply For Post-Secondary Education Funding?
You may apply if you have been accepted into, or are enrolled in, a recognized post-secondary program in Alberta or elsewhere in Canada, including as a mature student accepted into an eligible program. Applicants must also meet all program requirements, including OMSA membership, proof of Alberta Métis citizenship, and proof of Alberta residency.

To see if your post-secondary institution is recognized, please click here

Do I Need To Reapply Each Year?
Yes. Students must reapply for each academic year. Returning students must provide updated transcripts, proof of enrollment, a current course schedule, and maintain regular contact with their designated METI-S Advisor.

What Documents Do I Need To Apply?
All applicants must provide proof of Métis citizenship, Alberta residency, admission or enrollment in an eligible post-secondary program, current or planned studies, recent transcripts, and a signed disclosure of all funding sources. Additional documents may be requested depending on the applicant’s circumstances, program, or stage of study. Please refer to the Eligibility & Required Documents  section for additional details.

When Is My Application Considered Complete?
Your application is only considered complete when all required information and supporting documents have been submitted and received. Submitting an online application does not mean your file is complete. Partial applications will not be accepted.

How Is The Undergraduate Year Of Study Determined?
For undergraduate programs, year of study is based on completed credits, not the number of calendar years attended. In a standard 120-credit program, Year 1 is 0–29 completed credits, Year 2 is 30–59, Year 3 is 60–89, and Year 4 is 90–120.

What Happens After I Apply?
Rupertsland Institute will review and verify the information in your application. Eligible applicants will be contacted by RLI staff to complete an assessment and commit to a Student Action Plan. Due to high application volumes, there may be a waiting period before an RLI METI-S Advisor contacts you.

When Does Funding Get Distributed?
Applicants will have 15 days from their degree program start date to submit their final unofficial transcripts including classes for their current year of study to their designated METI-S Advisor. Failure to submit will result in cancellation of funding.

Is Childcare Support Available?
Childcare support may be available on a case-by-case basis for students enrolled full-time in three or more courses per semester. Support is available for up to three dependents aged 12 and under at a rate of $15 per training day, to a maximum of $75 per week, per child.

Is Funding Taxable?
Yes. Funding paid to students, or on behalf of students, is taxable income. Students will receive a T4A for all funding paid within the calendar year in which the funding was received.

Can I Receive Other Awards Or Funding And Still Apply?
Yes. Receiving awards or funding from other sources does not automatically disqualify you from this program.

Applicants who are receiving financial support from another Métis government or organization are not eligible for RLI Post-Secondary Education funding. Information provided in an application may also be shared with relevant third parties, where necessary, to verify eligibility and support the review of the application.

Where Can I Ask Questions for Specific Circumstances Not Mentioned Here?
For any questions regarding special circumstances not covered in the above FAQ, please contact RLIinfo@metis.org

2026 Criteria Update

PSE Criteria Update

Rupertsland Institute has adjusted our Post-Secondary Education student funding structure.

Funding will now be provided for a full academic year at a time. Students must complete the current academic year requirements before applying for funding for the next year. Students beginning Year 1 of university will receive funding for the full first year of study.

This change is being implemented to streamline the application and review process and ensure consistency in funding distribution.

If your year of study begins in the Winter term, you must apply for your following year of study during the Spring opening date.

FAQ

 

1. What is the main change to the funding process?

Funding will now be provided for a full academic year at a time. Students must complete the current academic year requirements before applying for funding for the next year.

 

2. Who does this change apply to?

This change applies to all students applying for post-secondary funding for university studies.

 

3. How will funding for first-year students work?

Students beginning their first year of university studies will receive funding for the full first academic year once their application is approved.

 

4. What happens after I complete my first year?

After successfully completing your first year requirements, you may apply for funding for your second year of studies.

 

5. What if I do not complete the academic year?

Applications related to incomplete academic years will not be processed. Students must complete the full year before being eligible to apply for funding for the next year.

 

6. Why was this change made?

The change helps:

• Streamline the funding process
• Reduce delays in processing applications
• Ensure consistent funding decisions
• Make requirements clearer for students

 

7. When should I apply for funding?

Students should apply before the start of their academic year and ensure all required documentation is submitted.

 

8. Who can I contact for more information?

Students can contact your Advisor or any RLI office close to you for assistance with applications or questions about the updated funding criteria.

 

9. When does this change take place?

This change will apply for the upcoming application cycle which will open in Spring. The exact date will be announced shortly on our website and social media.