A concerning post-secondary education gap exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals in Canada. One program designed to help address this issue, the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP), provides eligible First Nations students with post-secondary education funding. Although such programs are beneficial, it is unclear how much Canadians support public funding of Indigenous education and whether psychological research can help explain why some may endorse or oppose it. Thus, using the PSSSP as an example, we examined five possible psychological predictors of public support: personal prejudice toward Indigenous Peoples, perceived social mobility, meritocratic beliefs, group zero-sum beliefs, and political conservatism. Based on previous research, we hypothesized that all would negatively relate to support for the PSSSP. In a sample of non-Indigenous Canadian adults, we found that only higher personal prejudice, group zero-sum beliefs, and political conservatism uniquely explained lower support for the program (or conversely, lower prejudice, group zero-sum beliefs, and political liberalism were related to higher program support). Although correlational, this study provides insight into factors that may influence Canadians' attitudes toward a program aimed at addressing a consequential societal inequality. We discuss the implications of these findings in regard to support for programs and policies targeted at marginalized groups. Public Significance StatementThis research provides psychological insight into factors related to non-Indigenous Canadians' attitudes toward helping disadvantaged groups, in particular, support for Indigenous post-secondary education funding. Knowing whether and why non-Indigenous Canadians may support Indigenous education funding can shed light on where we are in terms of reconciliation, and help shape a path forward.

Despite what some may believe, not all Aboriginal students in Canada receive free university education. Many applicants are denied this education opportunity because existing programs are chronically underfunded. The Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) is one of such programs. It is financed by the Canadian government and aims to provide First Nations students with funding to access post-secondary education. Although there may be several reasons why this education problem persists, we examined one possibility – psychological barriers to support of Aboriginal education amongst the public. Specifically, we explored five factors: personal prejudice towards Aboriginal peoples, perceived social mobility, meritocratic beliefs, group-level zero-sum beliefs, and political conservatism. Based on previous research, we hypothesized that they would all negatively relate to support for the PSSSP. In a sample of Canadian adults, we found that only two of these factors (higher personal prejudice and political conservatism) uniquely explained less support for the program. Although correlational, this study provides insight into factors that may influence Canadians’ decisions about a potentially impactful opportunity for Aboriginal individuals, in this case, funding to attend university. We discuss the implications of these findings for continued PSSSP support as well as for other programs and policies targeted at marginalized groups.