Alberta Blue Cross puts out call for Indigenous scholarship applicants

By Southern Alberta Newspapers on January 25, 2025.

Indigenous students across the province are encouraged to apply for Alberta Blue Cross Scholarships, with the deadline to apply being Jan. 31.

The Alberta Blue Cross offers nine scholarships of $1,500 to Indigenous students every year through their Indigenous scholarship program.

The scholarships are awarded based on personal goals, financial need and community involvement.

Previously the program offered three scholarships to first-year students who had just graduated high school and six scholarships to mature students entering their first year of study, however due to high demand, they have extended eligibility to any Indigenous student enrolled in accredited post-secondary institution in Alberta, regardless of year of study.

Brian Geislinger, senior vice-president of Corporate Relations and Community Relations and Community Engagement with Alberta Blue Cross said in a press release that in 2024 they received a record-number of applications which resulted in the change of eligibility.

“In 2024 we received a record-number of applications for our Indigenous scholarship program and based on this demand we removed potential limits for application, allowing for more entrants in any year of study.

As part of Alberta Blue Cross’s commitment to wellness, the longstanding Indigenous scholarship program, which has been running for 25 years, is intended to support not only the financial wellness of Indigenous students, but also the overall wellness of the communities they give back to. The program also helps advance equitable access to postsecondary education for Indigenous students.

In its 25 years the program has awarded over 100 scholarships to Indigenous students.

Geislinger said in a news release Alberta Blue Cross has been privileged to support some incredible individuals and are excited to continue the legacy.

“We’ve been privileged to support some incredible individuals in their education journeys through this program, we are thrilled to be continuing this program for 2025.

More information about the scholarship program, including application forms, can be found at http://www.community.ab.bluecross.ca/programs/indigenous-scholarships.php.