Alumni Bursary | Northern Youth Abroad

Since 2011, NYA has offered over 70 bursaries to Alumni to support them financially as they pursue their education.

Alumni Bursary Open Now!

Bursaries will be awarded to applicants who meet all the requirements with equal consideration until October 9th. Beyond this date, they will be assessed on a first-come, first served basis.

Who Qualifies?

To qualify for the NYA Alumni Bursary you must:

Be a member of the NYA (or NYAP) Alumni having completed at least one of NYA’s core programs (Canadian, Next, or International).
Be enrolled in a program at an accredited Canadian institution that is at minimum one year in length. Accredited institution is a school recognized by either the Association of Universities and Colleges Canada or the Association of Community Colleges, including programs offered by Nunavut Arctic College and Aurora College.
Be a full-time student.
Be able to provide proof of acceptance/enrolment.
Agree to be featured in NYA promotional materials etc.

How to Apply?

New this year, we have increased the total bursary amount that successful applicants can receive throughout the school year to $1,000. We will award successful applicants $250 for each check-in with an NYA Staff member, with check in’s being completed in the months of October, November, January, and March. If a student completes all 4 check ins, this means that they are eligible to receive $1000 by the end of the 2024/2025 school year.

Check-ins are to ensure that our investment in student success includes wrap-around supports. We want to know how your school year is going, and how else we can support you.

Each student only needs to complete this application form once.

Steps to Apply

Read over the application form and fill it in answering the questions listed. You can fill the application out and submit it online, by email or fax.
If you have not received an NYA bursary before, you will need to write an essay (750-1500 words). It might be a good idea to have someone proofread it for you. If your essay does not meet the word count it will be sent back to you.
Your Essay Should include the following:
– How Northern Youth Abroad helped to prepare you to continue with your education.
– Why you have chosen your program of study, and how it fits in with your career and personal goals?
– How you have contributed to your community since participating in NYA?
– Your hopes for your home community and territory in the future, and how you see yourself contributing to this.
If you have received an NYA bursary before and are in the same program you do not have to attach an essay.
If you have received an NYA bursary before but have changed programs, you will need to submit a short essay (500 words) about why you have switched programs and what you are up to now.
You will have to provide proof of enrolment from the school that you are registered in.
Once we receive your application we will confirm with you that we have it, and if it is complete. If it is not complete you will need to re-submit it once it is complete.
You will need to submit a photo of you with your student photo ID.
We will let you know if you have been approved for a bursary, and will send you a link to schedule your check in with staff. If you do not schedule a check in, or if you miss your scheduled time, you will forfeit that month’s bursary.

Apply Now

Past Bursary Winners

See a list of previous bursary winners here!