Media releasePublished on 29 May 2023

Xero and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology introduce new bursary to support Indigenous students

The Xero Indigenous Student Award to provide financial assistance for students during their studies

TORONTO – May 29, 2023Xero, the global small business platform, announced today the launch of a new bursary that will support Indigenous students in financial need who are enrolled at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary.

The Xero Indigenous Student Award will provide one promising student $2,000 each year for three years, starting in the 2023-2024 academic year. To be eligible for the award, students must demonstrate financial need, identify as First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or non-status Indigenous heritage, and be an accounting major enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Business Administration or Bachelor of Business Administration degrees, or the Business Administration diploma.

“A bursary award can be life-changing for a student. It helps mitigate some of the financial stress of being a student and provides capacity for students to engage in their coursework and get involved in industry events and student clubs outside the classroom. The School of Business is grateful for Xero’s investment in SAIT students and their success,” said Janet Segato, Dean of the School of Business, SAIT.

SAIT welcomes and supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis learners from across the country. Since opening its doors in 2001, The Chinook Lodge Resource Centre has helped thousands of students flourish while studying at SAIT by providing emotional, spiritual, academic and financial support.

“We are humbled and grateful for this generous award and want to thank Xero’s Indigenous Employee Resource Group for making it possible,” says Jennifer Russell, Director of Indigenous Engagement, SAIT. “This bursary will provide important financial assistance to Indigenous students and help them achieve their academic goals, while also making a positive impact on their families and communities. Hiy Hiy — thank you.”

Xero’s Indigenous Employee Resource Group (ERG) aims to cultivate a culture of inclusion and a better understanding of diversity. The ERG focuses on knowledge sharing, education among Xero employees, and contribution to the community.

“Our Indigenous ERG wanted to look beyond our organization and take meaningful action within our communities. With the launch of the Xero Indigenous Student Award, we’re able to give back and positively impact the lives of Indigenous students,” said Faye Pang, Xero Country Manager, Canada.

Students can apply for the Xero Indigenous Student Award on SAIT’s website for the 2023/2024 academic year starting in August 2023. For more details, visit sait.ca/awards.

ENDS

Media Contact - Xero Canada - Kelly Kerr - CApress@xero.com

About Xero

Xero is a global small business platform with 3.7 million subscribers which includes a core accounting solution, payroll, workforce management, expenses and projects. Xero also has an extensive ecosystem of connected apps and connections to banks and other financial institutions helping small businesses access a range of solutions from within Xero’s open platform to help them run their business and manage their finances. For four consecutive years (2020-2023) Xero was included in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. In 2021 and 2022, Xero was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), powered by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment. Xero is a FIFA Women’s Football partner.

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