Aboriginal students are less likely to have access to loans and grants to pay for post-secondary education because of a range of barriers and attitudes not experienced by other youth, a report obtained by Canwest News Service says.
There is a general lack of awareness among aboriginal youths about how to pay for college or university - aside from band funding - but even if students do know about alternatives, some are still reluctant to pursue them, the study by the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation found.
The independent organization created by the federal government a decade ago, which gives out $350 million in grants and scholarships every year, wanted to dig deeper into the factors that affect the use of financial aid among Canada's fast growing aboriginal population.
Through focus groups with youths in
Andrew Parkin, associate executive director of the foundation, said the study shows that money has to be on the table, but if students aren't using the financial aid programs offered by government, institutions or First Nations groups, then "just putting the money there isn't going to be enough."
"When youth are making decisions about whether or not they should go on to college or university, I don't think they are making decisions knowing fully what ways there could be to fund it," Parkin said.
The report, which will soon be issued publicly, also said there is an over-reliance on funding from tribal councils and bands.
As well, some students wrongly assume they will automatically get support and that it will be enough to cover all of their costs.