NAAF collects and analyzes applicant and student data and prepares statistical reports to paint a picture of the financial assistance being provided to Aboriginal students across Canada. This is extremely important because it shows sponsors and funding supporters of NAAF’s Education Program how the money is used to assist First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals who are pursuing education and professional development.

It was a landmark year with over $4.6-million disbursed to over 1300 First Nation, Inuit and Métis students nationwide. This year’s results are confirmation that the Foundation is thriving, meeting its goals and helping hundreds of Aboriginal students either embark on a new educational journey, continue their quest for higher education or begin thinking about post-secondary education and careers.

In 2004-05 NAAF provided $1.9 million in scholarships and bursaries in contrast to 2008-09 in which we provided $4,630,750. This is impressive; however, NAAF can do more when the stats are seeing a 38% rise in applications this year alone and NAAF is only able to meet 27% of the needs of the students who applied. NAAF looks forward to meeting the needs of these students by increasing our scholarship funds.