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 and Ruth Anne (Morse) Nicholson Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry

Established in 2020 by alumni David and Ruth Anne (Morse) Nicholson, this bursary is available to students majoring in Biology, Business, or Chemistry in recognition of financial need. The bursary will be granted to a student in the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science and the F.C. Manning School of Business in alternating years. Each bursary will be valued annually based on investment returns and the recommendation of the Board of Governors’ Investment Committee.

Ruth Anne Morse, daughter of professor Dr. Norman Morse (’40,’42), met David Nicholson at Acadia while she was studying science and he, business. David received a Bachelor of Commerce in 1965 and Ruth Anne a Bachelor of Science in 1966. After their marriage in the Acadia Chapel in 1967, they resided in Ontario, David’s home province, where David continued his studies and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1968. Having raised their family and operated a business for thirty years in Ontario, they retired to Nova Scotia in 2000. With her long-standing family ties and their fond memories and appreciation of the unique Acadia environment, Ruth Anne and David wish to give back to the university in the form of this bursary.

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David Cartwright and Cyril Coldwell Memorial Award

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

The David Cartwright and Cyril Coldwell Memorial Award is provided annually through the generosity of the International Union of Game Biologists XXI Congress, to a student completing research in the field of sustainable use of wildlife. Recipients will be chosen on the basis of the quality and importance of the proposed research as well as their enthusiasm, commitment and broad abilities in wildlife management. The award is dedicated to the memory of David Cartwright and Cyril Coldwell, two unselfish mentors who nurtured many budding wildlife biologists.

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Dr. Anna Redden Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Biology

Established in 2021, the Dr. Anna Redden Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding Biology honours student, preferably conducting research in coastal ecology. In support of equity, diversity and inclusion, a student of an underrepresented group demonstrating financial need will be considered first.

A three-time Acadia graduate, Dr. Anna Redden completed her studies with a PhD from Memorial University and began her teaching and research career at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. Since 2005, Anna has been a member of Acadia’s Biology faculty, and as Director of the Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research and the Acadia Tidal Energy Institute has worked on a broad range of environmental issues and effects monitoring in coastal waters. Anna’s research activities with students have been focused largely on understanding coastal ecosystem productivity, tracking animal movements in high flow environments, and assessing potential effects of tidal energy development in the Bay of Fundy. As Associate Vice-President Research and Dean of Graduate Studies at Acadia, Dr. Redden is a tireless advocate for faculty and student research across the Acadia campus. As Associate Vice-President Research and Dean of Graduate Studies at Acadia, Dr. Redden is a tireless advocate for faculty and student research across the Acadia campus.

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Dr. Francis M. Archibald Scholarships

Scholarship | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Biology, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

Awarded annually to continuing undergraduate students majoring in biology on recommendation of the Department. Recipients may hold the scholarships for more than one year. Dr. Archibald graduated Bachelor of Science Acadia, 1919.

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Dr. George Claude Hicks Scholarship in Biology

Scholarship | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Biology, Current 2nd year

The Dr. George Claude Hicks Scholarship in Biology donated by Mrs. Erma F. Hicks in memory of her husband, the late Dr. George Claude Hicks (Acadia, '22), is to be awarded on the recommendation of the Head of the Department of Biology to a worthy student who has completed the second year of a program leading to a degree with a major in biology.

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Dr. J. Murray Beardsley Research Scholarships in Biology

Scholarship of up to $2,500 | Application deadline: April 15, 2013 | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Biology, Current 3rd year

Two scholarships provided by the Grace Beardsley Trust Fund, are awarded on the recommendation of the Department of Biology to students in the Honours in Biology program. The scholarships are awarded at the end of the third year and are intended to enable the recipients to participate in a summer research program that will form the basis of their Honours theses. If in any year either scholarship is not awarded to an Honours student, it may be awarded to a student enrolled in the Masters program in Biology. Letters of application are to be submitted to the Head of the Department of Biology by March 15 of each year.

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Dr. Jack and Fanor Hilton and Sons Foundation Biology Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Biology

Established in 2023 by the Dr. Jack and Fanor Hilton and Sons Foundation. To be awarded annually to a student enrolled in biology who demonstrates financial need and hard work toward their goals and field of study. Preference will be given to a student who expresses an interest in pursuing a career in medicine. The successful recipient should not be receiving any other financial award. The recipient will be chosen by the Head of Biology. 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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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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Dr. Muriel V. Roscoe Memorial Scholarship in Biology

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

The Dr. Muriel V. Roscoe Memorial Scholarship in Biology is awarded on recommendation of the Department of Biology to a student in a science degree program. Preference will be given to a botany student who is working towards an Honours or Masters degree in Biology. The scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Muriel V. Roscoe (BA '18, Hon '48) an eminent scholar and educator who influenced successive generations to major scientific accomplishments. Dr. Roscoe taught in the Biology Department at Acadia for 14 years beginning in 1926 and later joined the Botany Department at McGill University where she served as chair for many years.

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Dr. Robert Graeme Boutilier Memorial Research Award

Award | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Biology, Current 4th year, Graduate

The Dr. Robert Graeme Boutilier Memorial Research Award is awarded annually on recommendation of the Biology Department to support an honours summer research student in Biology. Preference will be given to students attending the Sidney Sussex College at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. If in any year the award is not provided to an Honours student, it can be awarded to a student enrolled in the Masters program in Biology.

This award has been established by Mrs. Brenda Rainnie as a tribute to her brother, Dr. Robert Graeme Boutilier (BSCH, MSC Acadia, 1976, 1978; Ph.D. East Anglia 1982; DSC Acadia 1996).

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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