Indigenous Scholarships

Value: $1,500 (each)

Two (2) awards are available to grade 12 Indigenous students who are enrolled in or accepted into a business program offered by an Alberta college, polytechnic, or university that offers the prerequisite courses required for entrance into the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP). Preference is given to students who intend to pursue a Chartered Professional Accountant designation.

Applicants must:

• be a person who self-identifies as Indigenous (i.e. Status Indian/First Nations, Non-Status Indian/First Nations, Métis or Inuit);
• submit a letter or video (2 to 3 minutes maximum) outlining why they are planning to, or are currently pursuing, a career in business or as a professional accountant;
• submit most recent transcripts to demonstrate academic achievement; and
• submit one (1) letter of support from a current instructor.

Value: $1,500 (each)

Three (3) awards are available to post-secondary Indigenous students enrolled in, or accepted into a business program offered by an Alberta college, polytechnic, or university that offers the prerequisite courses required for entrance into the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP); or a block (60 credit) transfer to an Alberta post-secondary institution that offers the prerequisite courses required to enter into the CPA PEP. Students must have satisfactory academic standing at time of application and preference will be given to students who intend to pursue a Chartered Professional Accountant designation.

Applicants must:

• be a person who self-identifies as Indigenous (i.e. Status Indian/First Nations, Non-Status Indian/First Nations, Métis or Inuit);
• submit a letter or video (2 to 3 minutes maximum) outlining why they are planning to, or are currently pursuing, a career in business or as a professional accountant;
• submit most recent transcripts to demonstrate academic achievement; and
• submit one (1) letter of support from a current instructor.

Value: $1,500 (each)

Three (3) awards are available to Indigenous adults at least 21 years of age at time of application, who are beginning/returning to pursue a post-secondary education after a minimum three-year absence from the educational sector. Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted into a business program offered by an Alberta college, polytechnic, or university that offers the prerequisite courses required for entrance into the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP), or a block (60 credit) transfer to an Alberta post-secondary institution that offers the prerequisite courses required to enter into the CPA PEP. Preference is given to students who intend to pursue a Chartered Professional Accountant designation.

Applicants must:

• be a person who self-identifies as Indigenous (i.e. Status Indian/First Nations, Non-Status Indian/First Nations, Métis or Inuit);
• submit a letter or video (2 to 3 minutes maximum) outlining why they are planning to, or are currently pursuing, a career in business or as a professional accountant; and
• submit one (1) letter of support from a current instructor or community leader.

Value: $3,000

Awarded annually to one (1) third or fourth-year Indigenous post-secondary student who is enrolled in a Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Management, or Bachelor of Commerce program at an Alberta post-secondary institution that offers the prerequisite courses required for entrance into the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP). The recipient of the Crowe MacKay LLP No Limits Award may be considered for work placement at the Edmonton office.

Applicants must: 

• be a person who self-identifies as Indigenous (i.e. Status Indian/First Nations, Non-Status Indian/First Nations, Métis or Inuit);
• submit a letter (500 words maximum) or video (2 to 3 minutes maximum) outlining why they are planning to pursue a career as a Chartered Professional Accountant;
• submit most recent transcripts to demonstrate satisfactory academic achievement; and 
• submit one letter of support from a current instructor.

About our donor

Crowe MacKay LLP is a mid-sized accounting firm across Western Canada that provides accounting and financial services to individuals and businesses of all sizes. 

Value: $2,500

One award is available to an Indigenous student enrolled in business or commerce at a degree-granting post-secondary institution in Alberta at the time of application. Preference will be given to individuals with an indicated financial need and satisfactory academic achievement.

Applicants must:

• be a person who self-identifies as Indigenous (i.e. Status Indian/First Nations, Non-Status Indian/First Nations, Métis or Inuit);
• submit a letter or video (2 to 3 minutes maximum) outlining why they are planning to, or are currently pursuing, a career in business or as a professional accountant;
• submit most recent transcripts to demonstrate academic achievement; and
• submit one (1) letter of support from a current instructor.

Value: $2,000

One (1) award granted annually to a post-secondary student enrolled as a declared accounting major in any year of a Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Management, or Bachelor of Commerce at an Alberta accredited post-secondary institution. Applicants must be Métis and demonstrate satisfactory academic achievement with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Preference will be given to applicants who express an interest in the CPA profession, have a rural background, and demonstrate financial need.

Applicants must:

• provide proof of Métis status;
• provide proof of enrolment as a declared accounting major in any year of a Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Management, or Bachelor of Commerce at an Alberta accredited post-secondary institution;
• submit most recent transcripts to demonstrate satisfactory academic standing (minimum GPA of 2.5);
• submit a letter (maximum 500-700 words) or video (maximum 2-3 minutes) explaining why they should be considered for this award, and stating how they are positively involved in their community; and
• submit at least one nomination letter of support from a current instructor or community leader.

About our donor

Joshua Letendre CPA, MPAcc, is a proud Métis accounting professional, university instructor, and non-profit leader who uplifts Indigenous voices and strengthens the social, cultural, and economic well-being of his community. Through his grassroots leadership, cultural pride, and commitment to economic reconciliation, he is sparking transformative change in Alberta and beyond. Joshua currently serves as an instructor with the CPA Western School of Business, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the national Indigenous Learners in Accounting Initiative. He also teaches accounting, finance, and data analytics as a sessional instructor at MacEwan University. His mentorship, storytelling, and leadership in the classroom empowers students to envision and achieve futures once deemed inaccessible.

In 2022, Joshua, who lives in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, became the inaugural executive director of New Buffalo Education Circle, a non-profit organization that offers mentorship, institutional navigation, and career-readiness programming to Indigenous students. While he’s moved on from this role, he continues to give back through various governance roles. This includes serving on the Board of Governors for the CPA Education Foundation and acting as board treasurer of Special Olympics Alberta.

Value: $2,500

Awarded annually to one (1) grade 12 Alberta high school student who is a member of the Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Colour (POC) community. Applicants must also demonstrate the following qualities in their applications: good character and leadership skills. Preference will be given to applicants who express an interest in pursuing the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).

Applicants must:

• submit a letter or video (2 to 3 minutes maximum) outlining what their heritage means to them and how this award will help them achieve their post-secondary goals;
• submit a copy of their post-secondary acceptance letter from an Alberta post-secondary institute and;
• submit one (1) letter of support from a teacher or community leader that describes how the applicant demonstrates good character, as well as any obstacles or financial needs the person has had to overcome to pursue their educational goals.

About our donors
Paula Weiss, CPA, CA and Spencer Weiss, CPA, CA and their children are committed to learning about the experiences of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, and the ways that access to education is hindered by systemic and systematic oppression. They understand that they can play a role in repairing history by educating themselves, learning from different communities, and giving back wherever possible. This is why they are happy to fund the BIPOC Success Award and they challenge other CPAs to do the same.

Value: $2,500

Awarded annually to one (1) Indigenous third or fourth-year post-secondary business student who has completed at least one Intermediate Financial Accounting course. Applicants must be enrolled in a Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Management, or Bachelor of Commerce program with a declared major in accounting at an Alberta post-secondary institution that offers the prerequisite courses for entrance into the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP). Selection is based on an indicated financial need and satisfactory academic achievement. Preference is given to students who intend to pursue a Chartered Professional Accountant designation.

The recipient of the TELUS Award for Indigenous Post-Secondary Success will be considered for mentorship and co-op opportunities provided by TELUS.

Applicants must:

• Be residents of Alberta;
• Be a person who self-identifies as Indigenous (i.e. Status Indian/First Nations, Non-Status Indian/First Nations, Métis or Inuit);
• Submit a letter (500 words maximum) or video (2 to 3 minutes maximum) outlining what your Indigenous heritage means to you;
• Submit most recent transcripts to demonstrate satisfactory academic achievement; and
• Submit one letter of support from a current instructor or community leader.

About our donor

TELUS is committed to building a better future for everyone through using their technology for good and giving back to the community. Social purpose and diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything they do as a world-leading technology company.  In 2021, for the 12th time, TELUS was named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers — an annual competition that recognizes the nation’s leaders in creating diverse and inclusive workplaces. TELUS is committed to progressing the path of reconciliation and fulfilling its responsibilities in a deeply meaningful way, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. TELUS’ Indigenous reconciliation action plan and targets can be found starting on page eight of their Indigenous Reconciliation and Connectivity Report.