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.

David Ryan Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Athletics

The David Ryan Memorial Scholarship was established by friends and family of David Charles Ryan (B.Sc. Acadia, 1975) in recognition of his many contributions as a friend, colleague and athlete. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student who has achieved at least B level academic standing, displays excellent character, and has represented the University in an intercollegiate athletic activity.

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Don Wells Memorial Hockey Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2018 by John Saunders, Axemen Hockey 1976-1980, is in memory of Don Wells, varsity men’s hockey coach from 1966 to 1986. To be awarded to a returning men’s hockey 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 men’s hockey team and the Director of Athletics.

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Donald G. Stairs Athletic Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island

Established in 2020 by the Stairs family to honour their father. To be awarded to a returning varsity men’s hockey player who exemplifies leadership qualities on their respective team and in the community, as well as excelling in perseverance, dedication, and sportsmanship. Preference shall be given to a hockey athlete from Atlantic Canada. The recipients shall be in good academic standing and shall be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the head coach of the men’s hockey program.

This award honours Donald G. Stairs (‘44) who played for the varsity hockey Axemen, as well as the Acadia varsity men’s rugby team. Don was a two-time winner of the Orley Bligh Trophy during his four year varsity career, plus later in life he was made an Acadia Hockey Honour Roll inductee.

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Donald S. Callbeck Hockey Award

Award of up to $2,000 | Eligibility: Athletics

Established anonymously in 2018, the award is in honour of Don Callbeck '51, member of the hockey Axemen from 1949 to 1951. To be awarded to a returning men's hockey 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 men's hockey team and the Director of Athletics.

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Dorothy G. Walker Athletic Award

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

Established in 2020 by Dorothy Walker Robbins. To be awarded to a returning female basketball, volleyball, soccer, cross country or swimming varsity athlete. The recipient must be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.50 GPA, and present strong leadership qualities in the university and community. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the head coach of the female varsity athletic program.

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Douglas (Red) Fraser Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

The Douglas (Red) Fraser Award is presented on recommendation of the Director of Athletics, to a returning hockey player with good academic standing who best exemplifies the qualities of sporting behaviour and leadership. Douglas (Red) Fraser graduated in 1948 with an Engineering Diploma and received his B.Sc. in 1954. He was a well known athlete both as a hockey player and a golfer. He was inducted into Acadia's Hockey Honour Roll in 1984.

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Dr. Avery deWitt Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Athletics

The Dr. Avery deWitt Bursary is awarded annually to a varsity athlete with an interest in the study of medicine or health professions. Students must be enrolled in the Faculty of Science else the Kinesiology program. The bursary was established by family, friends, alumni and colleagues in memory of Dr. Avery deWitt (BA Acadia 1904; MD, CM McGill 1909) who served as University Physician from 1919 to 1956.

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Dr. Blair Jarrett Hockey Award

Award of up to $3,000 | Eligibility: Athletics, Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science

Established in 2021 by Blair Jarrett. To be awarded to a returning men’s varsity hockey athlete who demonstrates leadership qualities on and off the ice and is in good academic standing in Health Sciences or Kinesiology. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with Head Coach of the men’s varsity hockey program. The inaugural disbursement of funds will be for the 2021-22 academic year.

Blair was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and recruited to Acadia after playing four years in the Ontario Hockey League. He was a member of the 2006 AUS championship team in his rookie season as a hockey Axemen, 4-time Academic All-Canadian with a BSc in Biology and Kinesiology, Athletic Therapy Program graduate, S.M.I.L.E. program volunteer and recipient of the George Wilbert Cox medal. Blair is now a practicing family physician and attributes his academic and athletic experiences at Acadia as being the integral foundation to his career in medicine.

Value: $3,000 annually

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Dr. Frank H. Eaton Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

The Dr. Frank H. Eaton Award was established in memory of the Rev. Dr. Frank H. Eaton, outstanding alumnus and long time member of the Senate and Board of Governors of Acadia University. The award is given on the recommendation of the Director of Athletics to a student entering their second, third or fourth year of undergraduate study at Acadia University who has given evidence of good academic achievement and leadership and has participated in varsity intercollegiate sport.

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Dr. J. Arnold Noble Memorial Prize

Prize | Eligibility: Athletics

The Dr. J. Arnold Noble Memorial Prize is annually awarded, on recommendation of the Director of Athletics, to a superior senior student athlete who combines academic excellence and outstanding athletic performance in either basketball or football. The scholarship was established by Mrs. Carolyn Noble, B.A. (Acadia '25), her family and friends, in memory of her husband, Dr. J. Arnold Noble, B.A. (Acadia '26), M.B.Ch.B., F.R.C.S. (Edinburgh), F.R.C.S (Canada), O.B.E.

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Dr. Jack and Fanor Hilton and Sons Foundation Football Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Athletics, Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Kinesiology

Established in 2023 by the Dr. Jack and Fanor Hilton and Sons Foundation. To be awarded annually to a men's football athlete enrolled in biology, chemistry or kinesiology who demonstrates financial need. Preference will be given to a student enrolled in biology and/or chemistry. Further preference will be given to a student who expresses an interest in pursuing a career in medicine. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the football head coach and applicable Faculty Dean. Upon the confirmation, it is the wish of the donor to connect with the successful recipient to provide support and guidance.

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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