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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CFUW Wolfville Award

Award | Eligibility: Arts, Women's and Gender Studies

The CFUW Wolfville Award will be awarded with preference to a student majoring or minoring in Women’s and Gender studies or who is enrolled in one of the three core courses of the program. The recipient will be chosen based on submission and presentation to an adjudication committee of a scholarly project on a topic related to Women’s and Gender Studies.

This award was established by the Canadian Federation of University Women, Nova Scotia in July 2005.

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Charles Roderick Brophy Award in History

Award | Eligibility: Arts, History

The Charles Roderick Brophy Award in History. Established in 2013 by Rod and Lynda Morrison in memory of Lynda's father. To be awarded to a student majoring in History who combines outstanding academic achievement with demonstrated commitment to volunteer service and/or the enrichment of campus life.

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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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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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Chris Peyton Hockey Award

Award of up to $5,000 | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2018 by Chris Peyton. The recipient should be in good academic standing, display positive team leadership qualities as well as good citizenship with the community. Chris was a member of the hockey Axemen from 1995 to 2000 and a member of the University Cub championship team in 1996. To be awarded annually to a returning men's varsity hockey player.

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Christine Webber Award in Music

Award | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Music

The Christine Webber Award in Music is awarded annually on recommendation of the Director of the School of Music to a student registered in that School who shows promise in brass and instrumental music education. The award is provided by the late Ernest Webber, friend of Acadia, in honour of his goddaughter, Christine Webber who graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education in 1984.

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Chuck Smith Award in Kinesiology

Award | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Kinesiology, Canada

Established in 2021 by Ron Smith ('71) in honour of his lifelong friend, Charles (Chuck) Smith ('76), this award is granted on a renewable basis to a student majoring in Kinesiology. Preferably of African Canadian heritage and also demonstrating financial need, the recipient has shown an interest in coaching, working with youth and/or volunteering to the benefit of marginalized communities.

Chuck Smith and Ron Smith grew up together in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and both later attended Acadia. Chuck earned a BSc in Physical Education in 1976 and Ron received his BCO in 1971.

During his high school years, Chuck was the recognized leader of the Yarmouth High Vikings basketball team and he later played for several years on the Acadia Junior Varsity team. His career spanned 30 years with the federal government as an employment counsellor and program officer. Throughout his adult life, Chuck has been devoted to his work as a volunteer coach. Hundreds of younger people with whom he has worked over the years now know him affectionately and simply as “Coach”.

In 2006, Chuck received the BNS Frank Baldwin Award in recognition of "the long-term development of basketball in Nova Scotia". He was inducted into the Yarmouth Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 as a Builder/Basketball. In addition to sports, Chuck founded and served as the coordinator of a Youth Community Garden and has served a four-year term as President of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society.

Ron's career post-Acadia saw him as a senior business and community leader in Nova Scotia, including five years as Chair of Acadia's Board of Governors. This gift is intended to encourage its beneficiaries, as they make their life choices, to always look for the many ways to use their particular talents to further the common good in their communities.

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Class of '43 Memorial Award

Award | Eligibility: Arts, Theatre, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year, Entering first year

The Class of '43 Memorial Award is given annually on recommendation of the Director of the Theatre Studies program to a superior student, new or returning, who is in need of money. The award is in memory of class members who died in World War II: Sidney Ford, Thomas Henry, John Lawson, John Lavine, and J. Douglas MacNearney.

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Class of 1919 Music Award

Award of up to $1,030 | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Music, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Class of 1919 Music Award. This award will be made on recommendation of the music faculty to a student in the School of Music whose work indicates musical promise. The value of the award will depend on the funds available, and it is to be used to further the students' musical education.

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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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Clow Leadership Awards

Award | Eligibility: Athletics, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Clow Leadership Awards are awarded annually to members of the varsity Men’s Football Team who have been a member of the team at Acadia University for at least one year, are entering their second, third or fourth year of varsity eligibility, and have a minimum sessional grade point average of 3.0. Recipients shall strive for excellence in all facets of life and show exemplary leadership qualities including leadership in community activities and character, integrity, a passion to succeed, and courage. This award is made on the recommendation of the Director of Varsity Athletics and the Football Head Coach. This endowed award was established in 2007 by Mr. Don Clow (BBA Acadia, 1983).

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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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Connie MacNeil Athletics Awards

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

The Connie MacNeil Athletics Awards are awarded annually to two students on a varsity athletics team at Acadia University. The awards are on recommendation of the Director of Varsity Athletics.

The endowed award was established in 2007 by The John and Judy Bragg Family Foundation, in consultation with the MacNeil Family, to honour Mr. Conrad (Connie) MacNeil (BA Acadia 1952; BED Acadia 1953) who was one of John Bragg's teachers at Oxford Regional High School. Connie was a proud Acadia Axeman hockey player from 1949 - 1953. Since returning to the Wolfville area in 1964, Connie has been closely involved with Acadia as a part-time staff member, Alumni board member (2001-2003) and was the founding chairman of the Acadia Blueline Club.

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Constable Heidi Stevenson Memorial Award

Award of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Entering final Year

Established in 2020 in honour of Constable Heidi Stevenson (‘93), who gave her life in the line of duty on April 19, 2020. To be awarded annually to a student entering the final year of a degree program who has served at least one year as a member of Safety & Security and who is intending to pursue a career in law enforcement. To be awarded on the recommendation of the Director of Safety & Security. Value: up to $1,000

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Crystal Hennigar Memorial Hockey Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2014 by Terry and Heather Hennigar. To be awarded to a returning varsity men's hockey player who demonstrates caring and compassion for others and possesses a positive attitude. The recipient must be in good academic standing with a minimum 80% average and is a community role model. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the head coach of the men's hockey program.

This award is in memory of an Acadia "hockey Mom & daughter". Crystal's father, Terry, was a member of the varsity men's hockey team in the 1960s and her son Michael joined the hockey Axemen in 2013, graduating with a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree in 2017 and Education in 2018. Crystal was a true inspiration to her family, in particular her sons, Michael and Adam, and her many friends and nursing colleagues. Her legacy was putting others ahead of herself through kindness, respect and a positive attitude. Crystal lost her battle to cancer in 2014.

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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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Curtis H. and Margaret T. Chipman Achievement Awards

Award | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Music, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year, Entering first 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. Two awards are presented to students in music; one to an entering student and one to a continuing performance student who is making excellent progress and promises to bring joy to those for whom she/he will perform.

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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