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 Alumni Student of the Year Award

Award

The Acadia Alumni Student of the Year Award was established by the Associated Alumni of Acadia University in 1981 to recognize and honour an outstanding undergraduate student. The award is made annually to a student who has shown outstanding qualities of character, leadership, personality and scholarship and has made significant contributions to university life.

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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 University Business Co-op Student of the Year Award

Award | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Business Administration

Established by Matthew Balsor (’11) to recognize the dedication and commitment to personal and professional growth through participation in the business co-op program. Awarded annually at the Acadia Business Banquet, the recipient will be enrolled in the Business Co-op Program at Acadia University and will have successfully completed at least two co-op work terms and will possess a cumulative GPA of at least 3.33.

Qualifying students will be contacted by a representative of the co-op program and provided with application instructions should they wish to apply for the award. Students will submit a copy of their resume and a letter (maximum of two pages) explaining the following:

• How co-op has enhanced their personal, academic, and career development

• Why they are a good representative of the co-op program and Acadia University

• How they made a positive contribution to the organization(s) they worked for as a co-op student

Matthew graduated from Acadia University with an Honours BBA and says “I was fortunate to have my post-secondary education paid for through awards and scholarships and am thankful to be able to give back and help others who are working hard to help themselves.”

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Acadia University Memorial Award

Award

Created through gifts from family, friends, and faculty in memory of the former Acadia students listed below. To be awarded to a full-time student in good academic standing, alternating faculty from year to year.

• Maria A. Archibald

• Eleanor K. Spraker (Class of 1928)

• Freeman Webber (Class of 1940)

• Patricia Pearson

• Kenneth Freeman (Class of 1945)

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Acadia University Staff Association Award

Award of up to $1,590

The Acadia University Staff Association Award is made each year to an Acadia Service Employees International Union staff member or their spouse, child, grandchild, step-child, niece or nephew who is a full time student. First consideration will be given to staff and immediate family members. The recipient will be recommended by the SEIU executive. The award is based on academic performance and need.

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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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Alan R. Dennis Leadership Award

Award

Awarded annually to a returning student, the Alan R. Dennis Leadership Award recognizes high academic achievement and strong leadership qualities as evidenced through extracurricular involvement and/or community activities. The recipient must have a minimum 80% average and display good citizenship within the Acadia community.

The award was established in 2019 and made possible through the generosity of Dr. Alan R. Dennis (Acadia, Class of 1982). After studying Computer Science at Acadia, Dr. Dennis received his MBA from Queen’s University in 1984 and his PhD from Arizona State University in 1991. Dr. Dennis currently holds the John T. Chambers Chair of Internet Systems in the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

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Alce MacLeod Award in Comparative Religion

Award | Eligibility: Arts, Comparative Religion, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Alce MacLeod Award in Comparative Religion was established by Preston Warren (Acadia, 1925) in the name of his wife, Alice MacLeod Warren (Acadia, 1925). The award is in the amount of $195. Students who have excelled in the study of Comparative Religion are eligible for the award, but preference will be given to one who intends to proceed to a degree in theology upon completion of the Bachelor's degree.

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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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Alex McLaughlin (’14) Memorial Award

Award | Eligibility: Entering first year, Nova Scotia

Established in 2015, to be awarded to an entering full-time student who is a high school varsity athlete showing exceptional commitment to sport. Preference for students from the Dartmouth area.

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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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Athenaeum Journalism Award

Award

In celebration of the student publication’s 150th anniversary in 2024, The Athenaeum Journalism Award is granted to a returning writer of The Athenaeum who has displayed journalistic excellence, commitment to The Athenaeum, and demonstrates promise in campus journalism. Recipients are chosen annually at the discretion of The Athenaeum Publishing Board.

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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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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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AVRCE African Canadian Education Services Award

Award | Eligibility: Graduate

The AVRCE African Canadian Education Services Award is to be awarded annually to a student who is of African descent, a graduate from the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education, and who is entering the first year of a Bachelor of Education program at Acadia University. Eligible students must fully complete the application form, and submit it accompanied by a Letter of Application

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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