Scholarships & Financial Assistance


With education costs on the rise, enhancing student assistance is a top priority for Acadia. Each year, we award more than $4 million to students in the form of scholarships, scholar-bursaries, bursaries, awards, and prizes. By maintaining a strong scholarship and financial assistance program, we are able to attract, retain and support our students.

As a donor to scholarships and financial assistance, you can direct your gift toward: general award funds or awards for specific departments, faculties, research, or athletic teams; any existing named awards; or you can create a personal legacy by establishing a named award yourself. By supporting scholarships and financial assistance, you can help to ensure access to all of the rewards of an Acadia education.

If you would like to give generally to the Scholarships and Financial Aid, please click here.

A. Ruth (Mackinnon) Laws (of Pictou County) Scholarship in Nutrition and Dietetics

Scholarship of up to $1,200 | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Nutrition, Current 2nd year

The A. Ruth (Mackinnon) Laws (of Pictou County) Scholarship in Nutrition and Dietetics is awarded annually to the student achieving top marks at the end of the second year in a program offered through the School of Nutrition and Dietetics or a successor or the most closely related school or program. The scholarship, valued at $1,200 (or the actual yield from the endowment not to exceed $1,200) is made possible through the generosity of Mr.Charles Laws of Sidney, BC in memory of his wife Ruth (Acadia '37).

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AIL Acadia Scholarship

Scholarship of up to $60,000 | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science, Applied Science, Business Administration, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics

The AIL Acadia Scholarship is awarded annually on a renewable basis to an entering student from Tantramar Regional High School or Amherst Regional High School registered in a Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor/Certificate of Applied Science or Bachelor of Science program at Acadia University. Preference will be given to students studying in engineering, physics, or mathematics and statistics.

The recipient will possess the characteristics of John and Anne Wilson, namely he/she will be entrepreneurial, positively involved in the community life of the Sackville New Brunswick area, and will have demonstrated potential to contribute to, and benefit from, an Acadia University education. The recipient must have an overall minimum average of 80% in university preparatory courses for each of the grades 10, 11 and first semester Grade 12 years. The scholarship was established in 2005 by the generosity of the Wilson family and holds a program value of up to $38,000. In addition, the scholarship includes a residence scholarship, courtesy of Acadia University, for each of the four years at Acadia at a total value of $22,000. Please note: To be considered for this scholarship, students must have a minimum 80% average in grade 11 and grade 12.

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AIL Acadia Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science, Applied Science, Business Administration, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Entering first year

The AIL Acadia Scholarship is awarded annually on a renewable basis to an entering student from Tantramar Regional High School or Amherst Regional High School registered in a Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor/Certificate of Applied Science or Bachelor of Science program at Acadia University. Preference will be given to students studying in engineering, physics, or mathematics and statistics.

The recipient will possess the characteristics of John and Anne Wilson, namely he/she will be entrepreneurial, positively involved in the community life of the Sackville New Brunswick area, and will have demonstrated potential to contribute to, and benefit from, an Acadia University education. The recipient must have an overall minimum average of 80% in university preparatory courses for each of the grades 10, 11 and first semester Grade 12 years. The scholarship was established in 2005 by the generosity of the Wilson family and holds a program value of up to $38,000. In addition, the scholarship includes a residence scholarship, courtesy of Acadia University, for each of the four years at Acadia at a total value of $22,000. Please note: To be considered for this scholarship, students must have a minimum 80% average in grade 11 and grade 12.

**Pending Board Approval

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Alden B. Dawson Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Biology, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Alden B. Dawson Scholarship. One or two scholarships are awarded annually for advanced study in biology, to a Masters student or to an Honours student. Dr. Alden B. Dawson (B.A. Acadia, 1915; Ph.D. Harvard, 1918; D.Sc. Acadia, 1938) was a distinguished professor of Anatomy and Zoology at Harvard University.

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Alexander L. Anderson Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry

The Alexander L. Anderson Bursary. The late Mrs. A. L. Anderson of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has left to the University an amount sufficient to yield $3800 per year which is to be used to assist students of superior ability in need of help who are majoring in chemistry or biology, preferably, but not necessarily, those who are looking forward to medicine.

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Alfred D. Arthurs Scholar-Bursaries

Scholar-Bursary | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Chemistry, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year, Entering first year

The Alfred D. Arthurs Scholar-Bursaries in Chemistry are awarded annually to students who have declared a major in chemistry on the basis of scholastic achievement and financial need. The scholar-bursaries are available to entering and continuing students. The scholar-bursaries were established by Alfred D. Arthurs, a member of the graduating class of 1929.

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Alfred D. Arthurs Scholarship in Chemistry

Scholarship | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Chemistry, Entering first year

The Alfred D. Arthurs Scholarship in Chemistry is awarded annually to an entering student who has declared a major in chemistry. The scholarship is valued at $10,000 ($5,500 in one year and $1,500 in each subsequent year). Renewal of the scholarship will be subject to the policies of the Scholarships, Prizes and Awards Committee. The scholarship was established by Alfred D. Arthurs, a member of the gradating class of 1929.

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Alvah H. and Mabel DeW. Chipman Memorial Scholarships

Scholarship | Eligibility: Arts, Pure and Applied Science, Entering first year

The Alvah H. and Mabel DeW. Chipman Memorial Scholarships. Two of $2600 each have been provided by gifts of Sidney S. Chipman (Acadia, 1924), Carol Chipman Noble (Acadia, 1925), and Curtis H. Chipman in memory of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alvah H. Chipman, formerly of Hampton, New Brunswick, and of their paternal grandparents, the Rev. Alfred Chipman (Acadia, 1855) and Mrs. Alice Shaw Chipman, the first principal of Acadia Ladies Seminary (1861). The awards are made annually to entering students on the basis of scholarship and financial need. They may be renewed for a second year providing a satisfactory academic record is maintained. Preference is given to students with major interest in the fine arts or natural sciences.

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Anthony A. Smith Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Arts, Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science, International student

As a student at Acadia, Anthony Smith rose as a leader amid his peers in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on campus and was known to hold great affection for his alma mater. After graduation and upon returning to the Bahamas, he devoted his spare time to the development of the country’s youth, mentoring them through sport and in organizations such as Junior Achievement, often doing pro bono training with students preparing for accounting certification. Anthony sought no recognition for his contribution to his fellow Bahamians, but was known to be quietly generous with those in need. As an act of gratitude and respect – and to follow his example – his friends and fellow Acadia alumni have established the Anthony A. Smith BBA ‘01 Scholar-Bursary as a memorial tribute. The scholar-bursary, valued at $1,000 annually, will be awarded to a Bahamian student in full-time study in any discipline at Acadia who demonstrates both academic achievement and/or promise and financial need.

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Anthony G. Fanok Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science

The Anthony G. Fanok Scholar-Bursary is awarded on a renewable basis to an entering or returning student in the Faculty of Science with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to a student graduating from a high school in Canada with an interest in athletic activities. The endowed scholar-bursary was established in 2005 by Anthony G. Fanok, BSC '63.

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Arthur Irving Scholarships in Environmental Science

Scholarship of up to $15,000 | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Biology, Environmental Science, Entering first year, Graduate

The Arthur Irving Academy Scholarships in Environmental Science at Acadia University are among the most prestigious of university scholarships.

The scholarships provide some of the best students at Acadia University with the financial assistance and research support they need in order to excel in their studies. Furthermore, recipients are part of a mentorship program and are provided with invaluable opportunities in research at the renowned K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. The financial assistance component of the scholarship is renewable and is valued at $15,000 per academic year.

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Arthur Owen Hickson Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science

The Arthur Owen Hickson Scholar-Bursary in Computer Science is awarded annually to one or more students in a Bachelor of Science degree program on the basis of financial need and academic performance. It may be awarded to entering or in-course students. The scholar-bursary has been made possible through a bequest from the late Dorothy B. Hickson of Saint John, New Brunswick in memory of her brother, Arthur Owen Hickson (BA '21).

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Atlantic Society of Fish and Wildlife Biologists Donald G. Dodds Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Biology, Current 4th year

The Atlantic Society of Fish and Wildlife Biologists Donald G. Dodds Scholarship is awarded annually on recommendation of the Department of Biology, in conjunction with the Faculty of Science. Preference will be given to graduate students in the Masters of Science program in Biology. If in any year the scholarship cannot be awarded to a graduate student, it can be awarded to an honours student enrolled in Biology and should that not be possible to a graduate student or an honours student enrolled in the Faculty of Science. Candidates should have a demonstrated academic focus on fish and wildlife biology. The scholarship has been funded by the Atlantic Society of Fish and Wildlife Biologists.

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Augusta Ada Single Parent Award

Award | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Computer Science, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Augusta Ada Single Parent Award is available to a needy single parent who is in receipt of benefits from the Nova Scotia Department of Social Services or receiving similar benefits from another source. The eligible student must be taking at least four credits and have a minimum A­ (80%) average. Preference is given to women in computer science. The award is provided by Alumni and Friends in honour of the contributions of Augusta Ada in the field of computer science as the world's first computer programmer.

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Contact

Office of Advancement
Rm 225 University Hall
15 University Avenue
Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6, Canada
General Inquiries: 902.585.1026
To make a donation: 902.585.1912
Toll Free in North America:
1.866.ACADIA (1.866.222.3428)
advancement@acadiau.ca

Charitable Registration #: 106681893 RR0001