Métis Nation of Alberta and Grant MacEwan College establish $2 million Endowment Fund for Métis students

Edmonton, AB (Tuesday, January 8, 2008) A $2 million endowment fund for Métis students has been established at Grant MacEwan College. Proceeds from the endowment will be used to provide Métis Scholar Awards. The first awards will be given out in the current semester, with an application deadline of January 18, 2008.

The endowment fund has been created through a one million dollar contribution from the Métis Nation of Alberta’s (MNA) Métis Education Foundation, which is being matched by MacEwan from its Alberta Government Access to the Future Fund allocation. The Access to the Future Fund allows the province to match endowment donations made to Alberta post-secondary institutions.

The endowment fund will generate approximately $100,000 in Métis Scholars Awards to Métis students attending MacEwan each year.

“This is a first step in creating award programs for Métis students in Alberta on a permanent basis,” said Audrey Poitras, President of the MNA, “and we would like to thank Grant MacEwan College for being the first post-secondary institution to step forward to partner with the MNA to establish such an award program.”

“The Métis Scholars Awards are designed to encourage and assist Métis students in financial need achieve their highest scholastic potential,” continued Audrey Poitras. “The awards range from $1,500 to $2,000 for students enrolled full-time in a diploma or certificate programs, and from $3,000 to $4,000 for students enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.”

“We are moved by the generosity of the Métis Nation of Alberta and this new endowment will mean students who want to earn a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree will have the opportunity,” said Paul Byrne, CEO and President of MacEwan.

Approximately 150 Métis students attend MacEwan at the present time and numbers promise to increase in future years. Métis students attending MacEwan can apply for the Métis Scholar Awards at the Student Awards Office at any MacEwan campus or at MNA Métis Employment Services offices in the province.

“In its first year of operation, some $40,000 is available for distribution to Métis students” explained Mr. Byrne. “This amount will increase in future years.”

Application deadline for the current year is January 18.

Link: Application Information