Indigenous students

A student uses an eyedropper during a workshop on Indigenous medicines and remedies

Boozhoo, Shé:kon, Waachi'ye, Tansi, Aanii, Tungasugiit, Tawnshi, Greetings!

At À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, you’ll find resources and opportunities, from weekly meetups and scholarships to an on-campus living community for Indigenous students.

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Choose from 100 programs →

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Admission requirements →

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Ready to apply? Learn how →

Scholarships and bursaries

Entrance scholarships, awarded to new À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ students, are based primarily on academic and personal achievement while bursaries are based on financial need.

Financial waivers for Indigenous students

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ is committed to addressing the goals of truth and reconciliation and removing or reducing the financial barriers of attending university.

Tuition waivers for Indigenous students
  • We waive tuition fees for À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ students who are members of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation or Six Nations of the Grand River (on whose traditional territory the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ is situated).
    • Students will need to still pay incidental fees (e.g., health plan, student government, athletics and recreation, student support services) which can range from $900 to $2,000 per term, depending on your program and whether you're in co-op.
  • First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students from Canadian provinces and territories outside Ontario can pay the lower tuition rate for Ontario students.
  • Native American students from the continental U.S. as recognized by the Jay Treaty are also eligible for Ontario tuition rates instead of international student tuition.

More about the tuition waiver →

Residence deposit waiver

New for 2025!

Incoming first-year students who complete the Indigenous citizenship/membership verification process are eligible to apply to the First Year Residence Guarantee Application and have the $500 deposit waived if choosing to live on campus in September.

How it works

Once you've applied to À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, you can declare your Indigenous citizenship/membership as a First Nation (Status or Non-Status), Inuit, or Métis person on Quest, our student information system.

We recommend completing this process by April 15 to give sufficient time to apply by the June 10 residence guarantee deadline. We'll email eligible students in mid-May with instructions on how to bypass the deposit and secure your housing on campus.

If you have some questions about the deposit waiver or eligibility, please contact housing@uwaterloo.ca

Life at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ

Regalia feathers

Celebrate

Enjoy weekly Soup and Bannock lunches at the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Indigenous Student Centre (WISC) plus events such as the annual Pow Wow and Indigenous speaker series.

Ceremonial fire grounds and medicine garden

Reflect

The Ceremonial Fire Grounds and Medicine Garden and the beautiful new Indigenous Outdoor Gathering Space offer sacred spaces for individual use, gatherings, and education.

Students sitting in a brightly lit residence room

Feel at home

Be part of our close-knit Indigenous residence community, located at United College on À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's campus.

Supporting your success

In addition to the resources for all À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ students, Indigenous students have access to a range of services. From spaces and workshops specifically for Indigenous students to an incubator to support students interested in entrepreneurship, there are staff and resources dedicated to supporting your time at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ.

Resources and supports for Indigenous students

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Indigenous Student Centre (WISC)

Through cultural gatherings, elder teachings, and workshops, WISC offers space for community, connection, and friendship among students, staff, and professors.

Indigenous student clubs

Connect with other Indigenous students through the or the .

Office of Indigenous Relations (OIR)

A central hub for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis researchers, professors, staff, students, and allies, OIR provides guidance, support, and resources to strengthen our shared vision of reconciliation.

Flint Hub incubator

is a community-driven space where Indigenous students can explore their entrepreneurial aspirations and contribute to the growth of Indigenous economies.

Outdoor gathering space

A new outdoor space is available for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit events, celebrations, and teachings. The design and central location within the University highlights the Indigenous presence on campus, including histories tied to the area as well as contemporary Indigenous diversity.

Drawing of the new outdoor space showing trees and the three part roof in oranges and browns

Longhouse Labs

Longhouse Labs (LLabs) builds capacity among Indigenous students and artists while integrating Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, traditions, and leadership broadly within education. LLabs includes a studio and gallery space, an archive, and soon, a garden for land-based learning.

Student services for all À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ students →

Starting your university journey? Not sure where to start?

Have you studied at college or university?

Finding community as an Indigenous student at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ

Adjusting to university can be difficult but with the right support, the transition can become easier. Chemistry student Brae can attest to that.

Devon, an Environment, Resources and Sustainability student, adds that "the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Indigenous Student Centre created a space for me to be comfortable in."

Read about Devon's and Brae's experiences and how they've become connected to the campus.

Enhance your learning

Many of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's programs allow you to include a specialization or a minor, which consists of 8 to 10 courses. These minors are available to all À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ students. The minors and language courses listed here are taught at United College, which is part of the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ and located on our main campus.

Indigenous Studies minor

Through the Indigenous Studies minor, you can deepen your understanding of Indigenous cultures, history, languages, and contemporary challenges. Sample courses include the Indigenous Experience in Canada and Indigenous Rights in Global Context.

Indigenous Entrepreneurship minor

Learn from Indigenous instructors with deeply-held expertise in entrepreneurship and social justice by including the Indigenous Entrepreneurship minor as part of your degree. Available to students in any program at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ or as a stand-alone diploma if you have successfully completed at least one year of college or university.

Mohawk language (Kanien’kéha) courses

Offered in collaboration with the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Indigenous Student Centre, Mohawk language (Kanien’kéha) courses are available to À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ students in any program who have minimal to no knowledge of Kanien’kéha.

Ready to learn more?

Indigenous À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ brochure

Request a brochure

Request the Indigenous brochure and À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ viewbook.

View or request a brochure →

Join us for a tour or event

Explore what the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ campus has to offer!

Register for a tour or event →

Questions?

Contact us at liaison@uwaterloo.ca and we'd be happy to answer your questions!

Student-written articles

Discover more about Indigenous support and initiatives in these student-written articles.

From the Missing Manual

As an Indigenous student at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, there are plenty of supports across campus to help you feel welcome. Read our article on finding community as an Indigenous student.