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.

C.R. Raefe Douthwaite Memorial Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary | Eligibility: Nova Scotia

The C.R. Raefe Douthwaite is awarded on a renewable basis to students in good academic standing who have graduated from a Nova Scotia high school and have financial need.

Raefe Douthwaire was a distinguished military and RCMP officer. This award has been generously established through an estate gift from his wife Jen M. Douthwaite to honour the memory of her late husband.

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Carl M. Ogilvie Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary | Eligibility: Nova Scotia

The Carl M. Ogilvie Scholar-Bursary is awarded annually to an entering student from Kings County, Nova Scotia on the basis of financial need and academic performance. The scholar-bursary was established in 1998 by Dr. Kelvin Ogilvie (Acadia '63) in memory of his father.

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Charles Lewis Rettie Memorial Bursaries

Bursary | Eligibility: Nova Scotia

The CHARLES LEWIS RETTIE MEMORIAL BURSARIES are awarded annually to students from Colchester County, Nova Scotia.

These bursaries are made possible through a bequest from the estate of Charles Lewis Rettie (Acadia Class of ’33) of Bronx, New York.

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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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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/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 1957 Bursary

Bursary of up to $2,500 | Eligibility: Current 2nd year, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island

A gift from the Class of 1957 on the occasion of their 50th anniversary reunion, and further defined with specific criteria at their 60th in 2017, this bursary is granted to a second year student from Atlantic Canada.

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Clifford and Helena Oliver Bursaries

Bursary of up to $5,000 | Eligibility: Visible Minority, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island

The Clifford and Helena Oliver Bursaries, valued at $5,000 annually and renewable, providing a maximum of four years of support per recipient, will be directed in particular to Canadian students preferably from Atlantic Canada or Ontario with demonstrated financial need who have shown exceptionality through a combination of volunteerism, leadership, citizenship, and character. One-third of the bursaries will be awarded to students from visible minority groups, particularly of African heritage.

Established in 2015 by The Joyce Foundation in honour of Ron Joyce’s friend, Senator Donald Oliver (’60), these bursaries memorialize Senator Oliver’s parents Clifford and Helena (White) Oliver, who built their lives around Acadia University as employees and friends to many students, faculty and community members.

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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