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.

B.V.I. Memorial Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics, Aboriginal and/or Africian Nova Scotia

The B.V.I Memorial Award is provided annually to a varsity football player who demonstrates quality of character both as a student and athlete. Preference will be given to a student with financial need and of Aboriginal or African descent. The award is on recommendation of the Head Football Coach and the Director of Varsity Athletics and may be renewed at their discretion. The Award is made available through a gift from Gordon B. Swinamer and is in memory and honor of his wife Barbara, his mother Vera, and his mother-in-law Irene.

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Bev Greenlaw Basketball Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2021 by former women’s basketball athletes and friends of Bev Greenlaw. This award recognizes a varsity women’s basketball student-athlete who is passionate about her sport, is in good standing academically and engaged with the community. Preference will be shown to an athlete who has made significant contributions to marginalized communities and shows a passion for equity and inclusion. The recipient shall be selected by the head coach of the women’s basketball program and the director of varsity athletics. Bev Greenlaw spent more than 40 years as a basketball coach at various levels. From 2008 to his retirement in 2015, Bev was head coach of the Acadia Women’s Basketball program. In 2012, he guided the team to its first conference championship in 60 years. Bev’s influence on his athletes transcended far past the basketball court, something he is most proud of.

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Bill Smith Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship of up to $470 | Eligibility: Athletics

The Bill Smith Memorial Scholarship. An endowed scholarship is provided by Mr. and Mrs. David Alman

Smith of Moncton, New Brunswick, in memory of their son, Cadet Officer Willis (Bill) Smith (Acadia, Ex '55) who was killed in training in 1952.- To be awarded annually by the faculty to an Acadia student at the end of the first year on grounds of sporting behaviour, scholarship and leadership.

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Blair and Jay Thomson Memorial Award

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

Established in 2017 by Jay Thomson, Axemen Football 1977-1980, is in honour and memory of Jay’s father, Blair Thomson for his lifelong support of Jay’s football youth development. To be awarded to a returning football player in recognition of their leadership, community involvement, positive communication skills and good academic standing. The recipient will be chosen by the Head Coach of the varsity football team and the Director of Athletics.

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BMO Financial Group Athletics Awards

Award of up to $1,500 | Eligibility: Athletics

The award fund has been established through the generosity of the BMO Financial Group in recognition of the longstanding and respectful relationship between the Bank of Montreal (BMO) and Acadia University. These awards, in the amount of $1,500 each, will be evenly distributed among returning male and female varsity student-athletes who demonstrate positive leadership skills and are in good academic standing. Recipients will be selected by the Executive Director of Athletics.

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Bob Cameron Football Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2019 by Bob Cameron (’77). To be awarded to a returning varsity men’s football player who demonstrates an ability to successfully communicate with, motivate and appreciate others. The recipient shall be in good academic standing and will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the head coach of the varsity men’s football program.

The award honours Bob Cameron, Axemen quarterback from 1974 to 1978. He was the recipient of the Hec Crighton Award in 1977. After Acadia, Bob had an outstanding CFL career spanning 23 years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a punter. He helped the Blue Bombers to six Grey Cup appearances and three Grey Cup victories.

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Bob Smye (’78) Memorial Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

The Bob Smye (’78) Memorial Award will be presented annually to a returning football student-athlete. Preference will be given to a recipient that requires financial assistance, demonstrates a strong academic standing and provides leadership in the community. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the Head Coach.

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Bob Vespaziani Memorial Football Awards

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2022 by alumni and friends of Acadia football, this award recognizes varsity football student-athletes who are highly motivated in the classroom and on the field. The recipients should display leadership characteristics in all aspects of student life and will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the Head Coach of the Football program. It is the wish of the donors to recognize a minimum of two recipients annually. Bob Vespaziani coached the varsity football program from 1968 to 1978 including eight years as Head Coach starting in 1971. He guided the Axemen to two appearances in the national championship final and was named conference Coach of the Year on three occasions. Bob went on to coach with various CFL teams including Winnipeg, British Columbia and Calgary. He was inducted into the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

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Brian Walling Football Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2019 by Brian Walling. To be awarded to a returning football athlete. The recipient must be in good academic standing, and present strong leadership qualities in the community. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with head coach of the men’s varsity football program.

Brian Walling was a Hec Crighton nominee at Acadia and a three-time conference MVP and named an All-Canadian. He smashed conference and national records during his five years. After Acadia, Brian enjoyed a ten-year CFL career including eight with the Edmonton Eskimos. He was a member of two Grey Cup championships.

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Bruce Beliveau Athletic Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics, Pure and Applied Science, Education

To be awarded to a student-athlete with Soccer, Basketball or Volleyball in any year of study. Preference will be given to students enrolled in education or science. The successful recipient must be in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need. The recipient shall be chosen by the Director of Varsity Athletics in consultation with the Head Coach of the respective programs as outlined above.

Bruce Beliveau was a multi-sport athlete at Acadia and excelled academically. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Biology in 1973 and a Bachelor of Education degree in 1974. During his time at Acadia, he was a member of the Junior Varsity Basketball team, Varsity Volleyball and Soccer teams. He was honoured as Soccer Team MVP in his final year. Following graduation, Bruce began his lifelong career as an Educator in Alberta. For over 40 years, he taught students a love of science, coached high school and community sports, led school communities as a Principal, and finished up his career as a District Superintendent. His lifelong love of sports has never stopped - he has continued to coach and play a variety of sports and is still an active member of a men's volleyball team that has played together for decades. These days, he is most often seen on the golf course or as a cheerleader on the sidelines for his grandchildren as they enter into the world of sport themselves.

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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