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.

Acadia Alumni Athletics Awards

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

The Acadia Alumni Athletics Awards will encompass two $5,000 awards for women’s varsity sports, based on the recommendation of the Director of Athletics. The Director will consider the following criteria when making their recommendation:

-Preference is to have the awards directed toward two different women’s varsity sports.

-Recipients will demonstrate or possess the following:

• Rigorous minimum academic standard;

• A significant contribution to the teams’ success (e.g. team leadership);

• A high-quality student-athlete and human being who represents Acadia in a quality manner, both on and off the court.

• Preference will be given to a student-athlete who demonstrates financial need and represents equity-seeking populations.

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Acadia Sports Therapy Clinic Athletic Awards

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

The Acadia Sports Therapy Clinic Athletic Awards. Established in 2013 by Darren and Ann Booth. To be presented annually, for five years, to returning female and male student-athletes who have overcome significant adversity and demonstrate a strong academic standing, community leadership and an above average commitment to improving their athletic performance through physical, mental or other forms of rehabilitative training. The recipients will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the appropriate therapy and coaching staff.

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Acadia Women’s Hockey Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2015 by friends of the women’s ice hockey team, this bursary is awarded annually to a member of the women’s hockey team in recognition of financial need. The recipient has a solid academic record and shows dedication to her team and community.

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Al Charuk Football Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2020 by Al Charuk (’75). To be awarded to a returning varsity men’s football player who demonstrates a hard work ethic, leadership qualities and community involvement. The recipient shall be in good academic standing. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the head coach of the varsity men’s football program. The inaugural disbursement to the successful recipient will be for the 2021-22 academic year.

The award honours Al Charuk, former football Axemen. Al played for three seasons with the Axemen capturing the Hec Crighton Award in 1974. His leadership and hard work at Acadia led to an eight year career in Canadian Football League where Al was a Schenley Award nominee given annually to the top Canadian in the CFL. Al Charuk was inducted into the Acadia University Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

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Alden R. Clark Athletic Award

Award of up to $1,505 | Eligibility: Athletics, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Alden R. Clark Athletic Award is provided by Dr. Alden R. Clark (B.A. Acadia, 1924; D.C.L. (Hon.), 1978) of Fredericton, New Brunswick. The award is given on the recommendation of the Director of Athletics to a New Brunswick resident entering their second or subsequent year of study at Acadia who has given evidence of good academic achievement, leadership and sporting behaviour and has participated in varsity intercollegiate sport. At the discretion of the Director of Athletics, two awards of equal value may be made in any given year.

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Allen Family Football Award

Award of up to $2,000 | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2021 by Todd Allen (’98). This award recognizes a varsity football student-athlete who excels in football and academics and is engaged with the community. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the Head Coach of the football program.

The Allen family has been active in Canadian Interuniversity Sport for generations. Todd Allen (’98) is a 2-time AUS conference champion (’95 & ’98) with the Axemen. His father Tom Allen and Uncle Robbie Allen both played football at Bishop’s University with Robbie going on to play in the CFL with the BC Lions. Todd’s Grandfather Bob Allen was a multi-sport athlete at Western University playing varsity football, basketball, track & field and lacrosse. Beyond Tom Allen’s playing days, he went on to coach football for 40 years, was the Athletics Director at Bishop’s University, President of CIS Sport and RSEQ Commissioner upon retirement.

Value: $2,000 annually

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Alumni Swimming Leadership Award

Award of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Athletics

Alumni Swimming Leadership Award. Established in 2014 by Rob Harris, Class of 1995. To be awarded annually on the recommendation of the Director of Athletics to an entering or returning varsity swimmer who demonstrates commitment to leadership in the pool while maintaining strong academic standards as a student athlete in the classroom.

This award will be open to eligible students with an academic average of 70% or more.

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Andrews Family Basketball Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

The Andrews Family Basketball Award was established in 2017 by Amber Andrews (’96). The award will be presented to a student-athlete who:

• is a returning member of the women’s basketball program;

• is in good academic standing;

• demonstrates a hard work ethic and strong leadership with her team;

• provides leadership within the community.

The recipient will be recommended by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the head coach of the women’s varsity basketball program.

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Arthur Irving Athletics Awards

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2019 by the Irving Family in honour of Chancellor Emeritus Arthur Irving. Awarded at the discretion of the Director of Athletics to facilitate recruitment and retention of outstanding athletes. Awards will be made annually 2020-2022 to: one prospective or returning male student-athlete; one prospective or returning female student-athlete; one women’s rugby student-athlete; one male student-athlete; one female student-athlete.

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AVR-MBS Athletic Award

Award of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Athletics, Business Administration

Established in 2019 by Annapolis Valley Radio, this award recognizes a returning male varsity student-athlete enrolled in business. Preference will be given to a student who expresses an interest in a journalism career. The recipient must be in good academic standing, demonstrate leadership on the team and in the community. Value: $1,000.

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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