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.

Daniel S. Bezanson Scholarship

Scholarship of up to $720 | Eligibility: Arts, Economics, History, Politics, Sociology, Current 3rd year

The Daniel S. Bezanson Scholarship was endowed by Miss Anne Bezanson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in memory of her brother, the late Mr. Daniel S. Bezanson, is to be awarded annually to a student entering the fourth year with a major in economics, sociology, history or political science. Selection is made by the Scholarship Committee from recommendations received from the departments concerned and is based on scholarship and need.

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David D. Smith Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Arts, Professional Studies, Business Administration

Established in 2014 by The Honourable David D. Smith ’66, Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench of New Brunswick. To be awarded annually to a student in the Manning School of Business or the Faculty of Arts, with preference to a student who has contributed to the campus and/or community through volunteerism, leadership in residence life, and/or student government.

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Deeneh Foundation Economics Award

Award of up to $2,500 | Eligibility: Arts, Economics, Nova Scotia

Established in 2023 by Nadine and Doug Allen (’87), the Deeneh Foundation Economics Award recognizes a returning student from Nova Scotia enrolled in the BA Economics program who may have financial need and be from Nova Scotia, preferably Halifax.

Originally from Windsor, NS, Doug Allen (’87) established himself as a business leader in Alberta after his time at Acadia. He completed his CPA CA designation in 1989 and his MBA at the University of Alberta in 2002. He held executive level positions with Syncrude Canada Ltd, the Guthrie Group of Companies and the Mikisew Group of Companies. He has served on the Board of Directors for several charities and non-profits. Nadine, from Halifax, started her career in banking and is a financial advisor with Raymond James Ltd. Together they have founded the Deeneh Foundation which recognizes their family roots and values with its mission and crest.

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Department of English Honours Thesis Prize

Prize | Eligibility: Arts, English

The Department of English Honours Thesis Prize is awarded annually, on the recommendation of the English Department, to the graduating student who has submitted the best Honours Thesis.

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DeWolfe Memorial Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Arts

The DeWolfe Memorial Bursary ($215) was endowed in 1991 by John B. DeWolfe (B.A. Acadia, '46; LL.B. Dalhousie, '49) in memory of family members who were long associated with Acadia: Henry Todd DeWolfe (B.A. Acadia, 1899; D.D., 1909; LL.D., 1925); Rev. Herbert Eaton DeWolfe (B.A. Acadia, 1914); Prof. Edgar Lawrence DeWolfe (B.A. Acadia, 1924; B.E., N.S. Tech., 1933). The bursary is available to a needy student in an Arts program.

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Donald and Evelyn Hall Scholar-Bursaries

Scholar-Bursary of up to $1,300 | Eligibility: Arts, Professional Studies, Education, History

Established in 2019 through a generous gift from the Estate of Donald Hall, the Donald and Evelyn Hall Scholar-Bursaries are awarded annually to continuing full-time students, two in the Education program and one in the History program, in recognition of academic achievement and financial need. Student receiving an award are eligible for consideration in subsequent years of their program. Value: up to $1,300.

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Doreen Bennett Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary | Eligibility: Arts

Established by Doreen Bennett, of the class of 1947. The scholar-bursary will be awarded each year according to the following guidelines:

• Given to any student entering or returning to a degree program in the Faculty of Arts, with preference given to those students including religious studies in their program;

• Preference will be given to all round female students from the Maritimes, who have demonstrated their interest in community activities, have a sound character and qualities of good citizenship.

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Dorothy Harris Oyler (’31) Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Arts, Art, Music, Theatre, Nova Scotia

Endowed in memory of John Oyler’s mother, the Dorothy Harris Oyler Bursary is available on an annual basis to full-time students in theatre, music or visual arts, who demonstrate financial need, with a preference for those from the Annapolis Valley (Hants, Kings, Annapolis, Digby Counties) and Lunenberg County.

Dorothy Harris was born in 1909 and grew up in Wolfville, graduating from Acadia in 1931 with a BA in English. Dorothy’s son, John Oyler (’59) established the bursary in her memory, honouring subject areas important to both of them, recognizing the value of the arts in education and everyday life.

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Dr. Allister Irwin MacDonald Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary | Eligibility: Arts, English, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Dr. Allister Irwin MacDonald Scholar-Bursary is awarded annually on recommendation of the English Department to a student entering the second or subsequent year of the Bachelor of Arts program, majoring or honouring in English. The award will be made to students with demonstrated financial need who are achieving a high academic standard and have a marked passion for English literature. At the discretion of the Department, the scholar-bursary may be divided between two students and may be renewed.

The scholar-bursary was established through the estate of Dr. Allister Irwin MacDonald, a scholar and Professor of English at Acadia, as a dedication to his immediate family – his parents Daniel and Ella MacDonald, and his five brothers; Samuel William, James Maxwell, Henry Burns, (Rev. Dr.) Donald Crockett and (Rev.) Joseph Richardson.

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Dr. Esther Isabel Clark Wright Scholarships

Scholarship of up to $1,800 | Eligibility: Arts, History

The Dr. Esther Isabel Clark Wright Scholarships were provided for in the Estate of Dr. Wright in 1990. They are awarded annually to superior in course students in the Faculty of Arts with a preference given to students majoring in History on recommendation of the Dean of Arts. Dr. Wright (B.A. Acadia, 1916; Ph.D., Radcliffe Harvard, '31) was the noted author of many works, articles and essays. She taught Sociology at Acadia from 1943 to 1947. Acadia awarded her an honourary degree in 1975. In 1988 the lounge in Chase Court was named in her honour and the Esther Clark Wright Archives were opened.

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Dr. Maurice Tugwell Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Arts, Professional Studies, Business Administration, Economics

The Dr. Maurice Tugwell Bursary will be awarded annually to Acadia University students from the Department of Economics and/or the Manning School of Business Administration demonstrating financial need. Preference will be given to students displaying the following characteristics:

• strong leadership qualities, as demonstrated through community service and extracurricular activities;

• well-rounded, as demonstrated by good citizenship on campus and fostering a welcoming environment for fellow members of the Acadia community; and

• commitment to academic achievement, as demonstrated by a strong work ethic and satisfactory academic performance.

The bursary was established in 2019 and made possible through the generosity of Dr. Maurice Tugwell and alumni and friends. Dr. Tugwell was a beloved Acadia professor to over 13,000 students during his 35 years at Acadia (1972-2007). A larger-than-life figure on campus, Dr. Tugwell embodied the Acadia experience and lifted the spirts of all students, either in his classroom or through a chance encounter on campus. Dr. Tugwell was repeatedly recognized for his accomplishments at Acadia, most notably through the Acadia Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award, the Acadia Students’ Union “Most Wanted” Teacher Recognition Award, and the Atlantic Universities’ Distinguished Teacher Award, to name a few. Dr. Tugwell left an indelible mark on the Acadia campus and it is the hope that this endowed Bursary will continue to do the same for students in need for generations to come

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Dr. Rosemary Therese and Stephen A. Holton Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary | Eligibility: Arts, English, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Dr. Rosemary Therese and Stephen A. Holton Scholar-Bursary is awarded annually to a student majoring in English on the basis of financial need and academic performance. The award was established in 2003 by the late Stephen A. Holton in memory of Dr. Rosemary Therese Holton.

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Dream Chaser Change Maker Award

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

Established in 2017 by three Acadia friends, the Dream Chaser Change Maker Award, is awarded annually to an outstanding student who embodies the Acadia spirit. This student embraces everything an education can offer by ambitiously supporting social and or environmental change in their local community or around the world. Having overcome adversity in their own lives, they give back to society and community through active volunteerism. The recipient will be awarded funding for their own education; to chase their dreams, as well as an opportunity to ignite change with funds donated to their choice of UNICEF education programs in developing countries.

Niluka Kottegoda (’03) created the Dream Chaser Change Maker concept to help improve accessibility to education both in Canada and around the world. Close friends Chantal Pelham-Edwards (’03) and Laura Rutherford Watt (’02, ’04) enthusiastically joined the effort. As recipients of awards at Acadia, they wanted to give back to their alma mater and reward students who have qualities most meaningful to their Acadia experience. Niluka, a Vice President at Sobeys Inc., recently completed her Kellogg-Schulich Executive MBA based in Toronto. Chantal holds a BA in Political Science from Acadia and is Principal of Third Sector Enhancement Ltd. Laura graduated from Acadia with a BSc (Math) and a BEd and currently is teaching Secondary Mathematics and Science in Calgary.

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Duncan Grant Lovat Fraser Scholarship in Political Science

Scholarship | Eligibility: Arts, Politics, Current 2nd year

The Duncan Grant Lovat Fraser Scholarship in Political Science was established in honour of D.G.L. Fraser (B.A., M.A. Acadia, '48, '49; C.D.), former Head and long time member of the Department of Political Science, by his friends, colleagues and former students. The award is made annually to the top student entering year three in the political science 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