Scholarships provide students with additional funding to support their post-secondary endeavors. To learn more about approximate costs of post-secondary and how to budget, use the "Budget for Student Life" tool through Alberta alis.
There are many opportunities for students to earn and achieve financial support for post-secondary studies through scholarships, bursaries, or student government loans. A scholarship is awarded first on the basis of academic achievement, community involvement, leadership, and/or other criterion while a bursary is awarded primarily on the basis of financial need. Neither has to be repaid.
Scholarship Listings
Scholarships are updated and listed monthly both on the Success Centre D2L page that all students can access and on the right-hand side of this page. Additionally, after applying to a post-secondary school, you will be able to access their institution-specific awards and scholarships as well.
In addition to monthly scholarship listings, we recommend students to create a profile with any of the following scholarship sites listed below, so students can begin to explore and/or receive scholarship information based on their individual eligibility:
· Yconic
Calgary Based Scholarship Opportunities for Students
· Education Matters- Offers multiple scholarship opportunities each Spring. Click on link provided to explore scholarships available.
· Calgary Foundation- Multiple financial student awards available each spring. Search each scholarship criteria using the link provided.
Alexander Rutherford Scholarship
Eligibility: Apply once your official high school transcript marks are available and when you are currently enrolled in full-time post-secondary studies; must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or protected person; and maintained permanent residence in Alberta for at least 12 months.
Criteria: Must achieve at least 75%+ average in grades 10, 11, and/or 12. Courses included to determine grade average and further information on scholarship are indicated on the link here.
Value:
Scholarships Tips and Tricks
Students should actively seek out and research all available financial support. They can see their guidance counselor for more details. As scholarships and bursaries have firm guidelines and application deadlines, students should leave themselves ample time to complete the application process. Students should make note of all deadlines and ensure they have all documentation in on time. There are many opportunities available for scholarship outside of grade 12 as well. It is never too soon to begin to seek out opportunities and to apply.
Many post-secondary institutes and scholarship granting agencies, require references. Teachers and administration write many letters for students. Being specific in the purpose of the reference letter and ensuring students allow ample time to complete the letter is always very helpful and makes for a stronger reference in the end.
Student Government Loans
Both the Federal and Provincial governments provide student loans for post-secondary study. Students must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and apply through the province that considers them a resident. Alberta students apply using Alberta Student Aid. Alberta Student Aid also offers scholarship opportunities as well (ie. Alexander Rutherford Scholarship and others).