What is the 2023 Indigenous Student Bursary?
The bursary will provide financial support to Indigenous students in the final year of their dental hygiene program,
graduating between September 1, 2023, and August 31, 2024. CDHA recognizes the financial burden new graduates face
(e.g., fees to write the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination, regulatory authority registration, and
professional association fees). To fund this bursary, CDHA is offering its members the opportunity to purchase a limited-edition
HuFriedy EverEdge 204S sickle scaler with orange signature grips in support of their new Indigenous colleagues.
How much is the bursary?
The bursary value will depend on the number of EverEdge 204S sickle scalers sold through CDHA and the number of students
who apply for the bursary. The total amount of funds available will be divided equally among all qualified applicants.
What are the eligibility criteria for the bursary?
- CDHA student membership
CDHA student membership is FREE for students enrolled in an accredited entry-level dental hygiene program in Canada.
Join now at cdha.ca/join
- Graduation date from an accredited Canadian dental hygiene program between September 1, 2023, and August 31, 2024
- Canadian citizenship
- Proof of Canadian Indigenous status
What is considered “proof of Indigenous status”?*
- Indian status card
- Provincial or federal Métis citizenship card
- Inuit beneficiary card
- Letter outlining your Indigenous ancestry, community/familial ties or kinship bonds
*An Indigenous-led advisory committee will oversee verification.
Will my application be confidential?
Your application will only be shared with the members of the Indigenous Student Bursary Advisory Committee and the
selection committee.
When can I apply?
Applications will be accepted from September 1 to December 31, 2023, 11:59 pm ET.
How do I apply?
Complete the application form and submit it by email with your proof of Indigenous status to Ashley Grandy at agrandy@cdha.ca. Only email applications will be accepted.
When will I receive the bursary?
Disbursement of bursary funds will begin in January 2024. Qualified applicants must submit a copy of their dental
hygiene diploma or their official transcript to CDHA prior to receiving the bursary.
Questions?
For more information, please contact Donna Wells at dwells@cdha.ca.
CDHA thanks the HuFriedyGroup and the members of the Indigenous Student Bursary Advisory Committee for their
contributions and guidance: Stephanie Champagne (RDH), Jennifer David (NVision Insight Group), Paulette Dahlseide (RDH),
Leanne Huvenaars (RDH), Drew McClelland (RDH), and Kathy Yerex (RDH).
If you or someone you know is triggered by the content on this webpage, please call the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 (toll-free) or connect with a mental health professional through Wellness Together Canada at 1-866-585-0445 (toll-free).