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.

Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) Award

Award of up to $5,000 | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Current 2nd year

Available to students enrolled full-time in a post-secondary life sciences program (for example, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences), the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) Award is available to learn more about career opportunities in the rapidly growing bioscience industry.

CASTL offers students the opportunity to increase knowledge and skills while gaining real and practical work experience in a supportive environment through a combination of academic study and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities.

The total number of awards granted to students enrolled in their 2nd year of life sciences study is 15.

Each individual CASTL financial award is valued at $5,000, with $2,500 awarded in year 2 of study, renewable in year 3 long with continued eligibility requirements as follows:

• 2nd year of full-time studies in a life sciences program;

• minimum GPA of 3.0 in first year of life science study;

• specific eligibility requirements for work/study programs offered by Acadia University

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Canadian Association of Foodservice Professionals (CAFP) Award of Excellence

Award | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Nutrition

The Canadian Association of Foodservice Professionals (CAFP) Award of Excellence is awarded annually to a deserving student from the Nutrition and Dietetics Program (BSN) on the recommendation of the Director of the School. The award recipient will have demonstrated CAFP’s core values of personal growth, industry commitment, and community contribution. Preference will be given to students showcasing financial need, high academic achievement, and volunteerism in the Acadia community.

The CAFP supported its membership in the food service industry for over 100 years through networking, mentorship, employment, and learning opportunities but ceased operations in June of 2019. Acadia University hosted one of CAFP’s ten active student branches and the goal of this Award is to help keep its legacy alive by supporting future leaders in the foodservice industry.

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Canadian Society for Chemistry Silver Medal

Medal | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Chemistry, Current 3rd year

The Chemical Institute of Canada has established a medal of recognition to be awarded annually to the third­ year student who has the best record in chemistry (including physics and mathematics) and continues into the fourth year at Acadia University.

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Carl and Miriam Beals Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Arts, Pure and Applied Science

The Carl and Miriam Beals Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually from the Estate of Carlyle Smith Beals (B.A. Acadia, 1919; M.A., Toronto, 1923; Ph.D., Imperial College of Science and Technology, London Un., 1926; D.Sc., London, 1934; (hon.) D.Sc., Acadia 1948) and Miriam Bancroft Beals (Acadia Ladies Sem. 1922). It is awarded in alternate years to a continuing student in fine arts and a student in the general field of science on recommendation of the Dean of Arts and Dean of Pure and Applied Science respectively.

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Catherine Stanley Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Mathematics and Statistics

Established in 2017, this scholarship honours the memory of Dr. Catherine Stanley, a member of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics from 2002 until 2015. In recognition of Catherine’s love of mathematics, the scholarship will be awarded to a student who has demonstrated joy and enthusiasm in learning and teaching mathematics and statistics. Recognized for outstanding academic achievement, the recipient will also have demonstrated excellence as a department Teaching Assistant. The scholarship is awarded to mathematics majors on the recommendation of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Catherine Stanley received awards and accolades for her achievements in mathematics throughout her elementary and secondary school years in Ontario and Australia. This continued through her three degrees at the University of Toronto. Catherine had a deep love of the absolute and outright perfection which exists within mathematics. In her words, “Teaching math at Acadia University was a career I never planned, but I found great joy in teaching. I loved my students. All of them. From first year Intro Stats to third year Number Theory. Thank you all for the honour of working with you.”

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Charles Ronald Gower Memorial Award

Award | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Chemistry, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Environmental Geoscience, Environmental Science, Geology, Physics, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Charles Ronald Gower Memorial Award is available annually to a deserving student in the physical sciences. The endowment was provided from the estate of Harriet Agnes (Allen) Gower 1898­1988, whose husband Charles Ronald Gower, and daughter Mary Carolyn Gower, graduated from Acadia in 1929 and 1960 respectively.

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Cheryl (Naugler) Atchison Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Nutrition, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia

The Cheryl (Naugler) Atchison Scholar-Bursary is awarded annually on a renewable basis to an entering or returning student from the School of Nutrition and Dietetics on the basis of academic excellence and demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is awarded on the recommendation of the Director of the School of Nutrition and Dietetics and preference will be given to students from Nova Scotia or Newfoundland & Labrador. The scholar-bursary will be renewable for three years, or until the student graduates, whichever comes first. The scholar-bursary was established in 2021 and made possible through the generosity of Cheryl A. (Naugler) Atchison (’71).

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Chester W Small Scholar-Bursary in Chemistry

Scholar-Bursary | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Chemistry, Entering first year, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island

The Chester W. Small Scholar-Bursary in Chemistry. Established in 2015 by Brian Matheson, Class of 1963, in honour of Dr. Chester W. Small, Professor of Chemistry at Acadia, 1926-1966. To be awarded to an entering full-time student from the Maritimes majoring in Chemistry who has shown outstanding academic promise at high school level and has demonstrated financial need. Valued at $10,000, to defray the cost of tuition, fees, and other expenses. Renewable, for a maximum of four years of funding subject to continued enrolment as a full-time student and maintenance of an 80% average.

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Chester W. Small Scholarship in Chemistry

Scholarship | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Chemistry, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year

The Chester W. Small Scholarship in Chemistry is provided by alumni, students and friends of Dr. Small who was a member of the Chemistry Department from 1926 to 1966 and Head from 1957 to 1966. It is awarded annually on recommendation of the Department to a student entering third or fourth year of undergraduate study in the B.Sc. in Chemistry and who has completed with distinction twelve hours of study in chemistry at the 2000 level or above in the previous year.

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Chipman Honours Award

Award of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Arts, Pure and Applied Science, Current 3rd year, Nova Scotia, Pursuing an Honours Research Project

The Chipman Honours Award is designed to support and encourage the innovative research work of Acadia’s most promising undergraduate Honours students. The award will be offered to a 3rd year Honours student who showcases a strong curiosity for continued education and whose promising research suggests a future benefit to Acadia University. The award will be granted in alternating years to English and Bio-Chemistry majors. Preference to be given to Nova Scotia residents.

The award was established in 2021 through the generosity of Muriel (Chipman) Gates, member of Acadia’s Class of 1965. Muriel’s family ties to Acadia date back to its founding – many of whom worked tirelessly in rousing support for the construction of the first University Hall. It is the hope that the award will encourage and inspire Acadia’s bright young scholars to demonstrate a lifelong commitment to Acadia.

Value: $1,000 annually

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Chipman Silver Medal

Medal | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science

The Chipman Silver Medal is awarded annually at Spring Convocation to the graduating student from the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science whose overall average is closest to that of the Governor General's medallist. The medal was established in 1986 in recognition of the many contributions made by the Chipman family to Acadia and especially to honour the memory of Richard Leverett DeVeber Chipman (B.A. Acadia, 1903; M.A., 1904; M.D.C.M. McGill, 1908).

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Chipman/Rose Memorial Award

Award of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Arts, Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science, Nova Scotia

Established in 2016 by friends and family of Lynn Chipman (’07) and Kim Rose (’87), this entrance award is granted to a full-time female student from the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. Value: $1,000.

Lynn Chipman had a 33-year career at Acadia in Technology Services, finishing as Manager of Information Systems. She earned a Certificate and Diploma in Business, Certificate in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Business Administration during that time. She was an endearing and supportive co-worker, a leader within her team.

Kim Rose joined Computing Services in 1991 after receiving a Bachelor of Computer Science from Acadia. Eventually she became Director of User Support and later, Director of Open Acadia. Kim left her mark on Acadia, ensuring that students received top-notch technology support and that her co-workers were provided every opportunity to be successful.

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Class of 1933 Fiftieth Reunion Scholarship

Scholarship of up to $1,535 | Eligibility: Arts, Athletics, Divinity, Interdisciplinary Studies, Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Class of 1933 Fiftieth Reunion Scholarship of $1535 is awarded annually to a post first­year student in any faculty or school who has demonstrated academic excellence and displays qualities of leadership by participation in drama, music, athletics and/or community or student activities.

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Clive and Cindy Waugh Award

Award of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Arts, Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science, Community Development, Education, Kinesiology, Psychology, Sociology, Graduate

Established in 2020 by Cynthia and Clive Waugh (’79), the Cindy and Clive Waugh Award recognizes the work of a graduate student in Community Development, Education, Kinesiology, Psychology, or Sociology, whose research will lead to new knowledge or practices toward improving the lives of individuals experiencing developmental challenges. Mature students with work experience are preferred. The recipient will be chosen by the Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in consultation with two Faculty Deans. Value: $1,000

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Colpitts Memorial Scholarship

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

The Colpitts Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a student registered in the third or fourth year of a program leading to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. The recipient will have demonstrated high academic achievement and qualities of leadership and personal integrity. Preference will be given to those interested in pursuing careers in human services and who have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is made possible through the thoughtful generosity of Athena Bell Colpitts and Reverend Robert Alder Colpitts, who both graduated from Acadia in 1934.

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Colville Awards

Award of up to $2,500 | Eligibility: Arts, Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science

The Colville Awards are annually awarded on the recommendation of the Deans to a leading student in the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Professional Studies, and the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, who is entering the final year of an Honours program. Awards shall be made in May and may be used during the summer and the ensuing academic year.

The Colville Awards were established by the Board of Governors in 1991 to recognize the distinguished contribution of David Alexander Colville, CC, as Chancellor 1980-1991.

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Constance I. MacFarlane Book Prize in Marine Biology

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

The Constance I. MacFarlane Book Prize in Marine Biology is provided by Dr. MacFarlane who for twenty years taught a course in marine algae at Acadia while she was Director of the Seaweed Division of the Nova Scotia Research Foundation. The prize is awarded each spring on the recommendation of the Head of the Biology Department to a student with special interest and promise in the field of marine algae.

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Corkum Scholarships in Physics

Scholarship of up to $10,000 | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Physics, Entering first year

Established in 2019 by Paul (’65) and Nadja (’66) Corkum. To be awarded on the basis of academic achievement to entering students majoring in Physics in the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, and renewable for three subsequent years contingent on academic performance. One new scholarship will be offered every second year. Value: up to $10,000

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Curtis H. and Margaret T. Chipman Achievement Awards

Award | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Biology, Current 3rd year

The Curtis H. and Margaret T. Chipman Achievement Awards are provided by Curtis H. Chipman (DCL Acadia, 1993), a friend and benefactor to Acadia. One award is presented annually to one or more premedical students in year three of the Bachelor of Science program in biology who have shown significant academic improvement in year two and show superior promise of success in and suitability for an M.D. program.

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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