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.

H. Rosamond Wallace Prize in Music

Prize | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Music, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The H. Rosamond Wallace Prize in Music, being the interest on an endowment bequeathed by Lewis Fisher Wallace in memory of his wife, provides $160 to be awarded to that student in the School of Music who shows the greatest proficiency in accompanying for congregational singing, in sight reading and in transposition.

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Haldane A. Hynes Memorial Award

Award

The Haldane A. Hynes Memorial Award is awarded on a renewable basis to entering or returning students in a degree program with demonstrated financial need.

Haldane A. (Hal) Hynes graduated from Acadia University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. After Acadia, Hal enjoyed almost 24 years with the Canadian Forces. As a Navigator on the Aurora aircraft, Hal spent the majority of his career in Greenwood, NS, and was selected to serve as Commanding Officer of 404 (MP&T) Squadron from 2001 – 2003. He passed away in 2004 as a result of cancer, while still a member of the Canadian Forces.

Hal was a natural born leader and truly loved life. Hal held a wide variety of interests and was passionate about lifelong learning. He believed in the value of post-secondary education and it is the hope that this award honouring such a special person will assist others in the pursuit of their own academic goals and endeavours.

The award was established in 2006 by Mrs. Janet G. Hynes in loving memory of her husband.

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Haley Medal and Prize

Medal | Eligibility: Athletics

The Haley Medal and Prize are awarded at Spring Convocation in conjunction with a trophy to the female graduating student who has made the most outstanding contribution to varsity athletics, other extracurricular activities and scholarship. The medal and trophy were donated in 1990 by the Haley family to honour Jean Ingraham Haley, Acadia '37, and the four generations of Haley men and women who have contributed greatly to athletics at Acadia. In recognition of generous gifts from Peter (’67) and Luci Haley in 2015, and from David (’64) and Ellen Haley in 2017, a cash prize was added and is awarded annually to the recipient of the Haley Medal.

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Hamilton Memorial Scholarship

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

The Hamilton Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to one or more students in the third or fourth year of an honours program, on recommendation of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated qualities of leadership and intend to pursue graduate study in the mathematical sciences. The scholarship was established in 2004 through the generosity of William B. Hamilton.

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Hannah Miller Memorial Award

Award

The Hannah Miller Memorial Award is awarded annually to a returning student, chosen based on equal consideration for an individual who best demonstrates involvement, energy and enthusiasm for minor hockey, good academic achievement and leadership in female hockey. The recipient will be chosen by a selection committee, chaired by the Director of the School of Kinesiology. The award was established in 2011 in memory of Hannah Miller, a 7 year old player in the Acadia Minor Hockey Association (AMHA), to perpetuate the legacy of her love and enthusiasm for hockey.

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Hansford Family Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Economics, History

Established in 2017 by Gordon Hansford (’51) in memory of his father Cecil Hansford, this bursary is awarded to a full-time student preferably majoring in economics or history, in recognition of academic excellence and financial need.

From Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, Cecil Hansford was the son of English immigrants. In 1915, he and two brothers went to war for Canada, only two of them returning in 1919. After mining in Ontario, Cecil came back to Nova Scotia and settled in Wolfville where he opened a barber shop and served on the Town Council, the School Board, and the Wolfville Legion. During WWII in 1940, he served as Staff Sergeant at Camp Aldershot, taking time off in 1945 to run as a candidate for the CCF party against MP Lorimer Illsley. Cecil's son Gordon followed in his father's footsteps and joined the armed forces in 1941 at the age of 17. On his return he attended Horton Academy and then completed three degrees at Acadia University – BA in Economics and History (1951), BEd (1952), and MA in Economics (1953). His teaching career saw him educate students at Central Kings High School, Halifax Community College and Kentville Community College, now a campus of Nova Scotia Community College. Gordon’s wife, Helen was also a teacher in Queens and Kings Counties, Nova Scotia.

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Harcourt L. Cameron Award

Award | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Geology

The Harcourt L. Cameron Award. The Fletcher Geology Club has provided for an annual award of books or instruments to be made to any geology student who is a member of the Club and whose achievements in geology merit praise.

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Harold and Elizabeth Wilson Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Arts, Divinity, Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Harold and Elizabeth Wilson Scholarship is awarded annually to a returning student achieving top marks at the end of their second, third, or fourth year in the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Professional Studies, the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, or the Faculty of Theology. Preference will be given to students who exhibit leadership in the Acadia community through participation and passion for extra-curricular activities on campus while maintaining high academic achievement. The Scholarship was established by Harolyn (Wilson) and Frank Panetta in 2019 in honour of Harolyn’s beloved parents. Harolyn is a proud Acadia alumna from the Class of 1949 who graduated with her BA (English) and her Diploma in Secretarial Science (DSS).

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Harold B Colwell-University Entrance Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Entering first year

University Entrance Scholarships valued at $3500 each ($875 annually for up to four years) are awarded each year.

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Harold B. Schurman Scholarships

Scholarship | Eligibility: Entering first year, Prince Edward Island

The Harold B. Schurman Scholarships, two renewable entrance scholarships are awarded every third or fourth year to residents of P.E.I. who are domiciled in that province at the time of graduation from high school. Mr. Schurman was a lifelong friend and supporter of Acadia University.

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Harold Campbell Vaughan Memorial Scholarship in History

Scholarship | Eligibility: Arts, History, Current 4th year

The Harold Campbell Vaughan Memorial Scholarship in History was established by the late Dr. and Mrs. Harold Stearns Vaughan of New York in memory of their son, Harold Campbell Vaughan. The annual scholarship of $560 is for the encouragement of historical studies at Acadia University. It is to be awarded on the recommendation of the Department of History to a student who has made a distinguished record in the History courses of the undergraduate curriculum and who is entering any one of the following programs of work in regular session at Acadia University: (a) the fourth undergraduate year of Honours History, and (b) the fourth year of a pass course with a major in history. The scholarship is credited on the student's fees at Acadia.

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Harold M. Nason Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship of up to $710 | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Education, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year

The Harold M. Nason Memorial Scholarship was established by family and friends to honour Dr. Nason (B.A. Acadia, 1934; M.A., 1938; D.C.L., 1960; B. Paed. Toronto, 1942; A.I.E. University of London, 1950) who devoted his entire life to the progress of education in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The scholarship is awarded annually in January on recommendation of the Director of the School of Education to a superior Bachelor of Education student who has demonstrated qualities of leadership and excellence in teaching and who needs financial support.

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Harold R. Haley Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Entering first year, New Brunswick

The Harold R. Haley Scholarship of $635 is provided annually by the family of the late Harold R. Haley (Acadia, '13). Preference is to be given to an entering student from Charlotte County, New Brunswick. Reversion, if necessary, is to a student from elsewhere in New Brunswick.

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Harold Ryan Award in Engineering

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

Established in 2015 by Marjorie Matheson (’48) in memory of her brother, the Harold Ryan Award in Engineering is granted to a full-time student in the Ivan Curry School of Engineering on the recommendation of Faculty.

Originally from Truro, Harold Ryan studied engineering at Acadia until 1947 before completing his education at Nova Scotia Technical College in Halifax. He worked with Nova Scotia Power prior to moving to New Jersey and California for the rest of his career.

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Harold Sheldon Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship

The Harold Sheldon Memorial Scholarship. This award, endowed by Dr. John and Mrs. Kathleen Sheldon of Newfoundland in 1987, in memory of their son, is awarded on the basis of academic excellence to a student entering the second or subsequent year of an undergraduate degree program. The award is restricted to students who completed their secondary education in Newfoundland.

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Harrison McCain Scholar-Bursaries

Scholar-Bursary

The Harrison McCain Scholar-Bursaries are available annually to entering students attending University who have graduated from a high school in Canada. Each award has a program value of $16,000 payable over a four year course of study in the amount of $4,000 per year. Criteria for the awards include a minimum 80% average in senior year of high school, financial need, leadership qualities, and a recognized initiative in funding your own education. The number of scholarship/bursaries available may vary from year to year. Renewal criteria to be met each year.

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Harrison Wentworth Fawcett Memorial Prize

Prize of up to $40 | Eligibility: Arts, German, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Harrison Wentworth Fawcett Memorial Prize. A prize of $40 endowed by the late W. C. Smith of Sackville is to be awarded to a student in German selected by the Department of German in consultation with the Dean of Arts.

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Harry Pickett (’59, ’61) Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island

Established through a generous estate gift from alumnus Harry Pickett (’59, ’61), this bursary is awarded in recognition of financial need to hard-working students from the Maritimes in any degree program who are making a positive contribution to the community in their field of study.

A native of New Brunswick, Harry attended Acadia after working as the chemical analyst at the power plant in Newcastle Creek for two years. He earned a BA and a BEd and began his married life with Eleanor as a teacher in Quebec. As a school principal, Harry was an outstanding, versatile and respected colleague who also enjoyed skiing and bowling.

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Harry T. Walker Memorial Scholarships

Scholarship of up to $4,520 | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Med, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

This scholarship is to be used annually to assist pre-medical or pre-dental students of the third or fourth year who are of good moral character and of sound scholarship. Preference will be given to having one recipient from Colchester County, Nova Scotia.

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Harry Thurston Award in Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Award | Eligibility: Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Current 3rd year

Established in 2021 by Ron Smith ('71) in honour of his lifelong friend, Harry Thurston ('71, DL '13), this award is granted on a renewable basis to a third-year student in any degree program majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Preferably demonstrating financial need, the recipient

is committed to improving and advocating for environmental issues as evidenced in academic projects, outreach and/or community-based work.

Harry Thurston and Ron Smith grew up together in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and both attended Acadia in the late 1960s. Harry earned a BSc in Biology and Ron received his BCO in 1971.

With a distinguished career as a journalist and poet, Harry has spent his life writing about and being a citizen advocate on environmental issues, and was recognized with an honorary degree from Acadia in 2013. With more than two dozen books published, Harry has also published articles in thirty magazines, including National Geographic, Audubon, Equinox, Harrowsmith and Canadian Geographic, garnering several national journalism awards.

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 remind its beneficiaries, as they make their life choices and diverse contributions to the common good, that nothing is more valuable than lasting friendship.

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Harvey O. Dobson Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Entering first year, Nova Scotia

The Harvey O. Dobson Scholarship with the annual value of $160 endowed by the late Mr. Harvey O. Dobson of Brooklyn, New York, is to be awarded to that student from Sydney Academy entering Acadia with the highest average.

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Harvey T. Reid Entrance Scholarships

Scholarship | Eligibility: Entering first year

The Harvey T. Reid Entrance Scholarships. Two non renewable entrance scholarships of $1885 are awarded to entering students of good scholastic record and promising personality as evidenced by school activities and other extracurricular achievements. The scholarships are provided by an endowment from Dr. Harvey T. Reid who graduated from Acadia and Oxford Universities. In offering these scholarships, Dr. Reid, a Rhodes Scholar, is encouraging students of balanced accomplishment to enter university.

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Hawkins-Scoon STEM Athletic Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics, Pure and Applied Science

Awarded annually to a returning varsity cross-country student athlete, the Hawkins-Scoon STEM Award recognizes strong leadership qualities as evidenced through commitment to Acadia varsity athletics and academic achievement. Preference will be given to a female student from Acadia WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) to empower and encourage women in the pursuit of STEM careers.

Established in 2019, the award was made possible through the generosity of Dr. Nicole Hawkins-Scoon. Nicole completed her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with Honours at Acadia in 2004 before pursuing her medical career in Dermatology. During her time at Acadia Nicole was a Varsity Cross-Country runner, Track & Field athlete, and a member of the Acadia Power Cheer team. Nicole is a strong advocate for women in STEM.

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Hayward Scholarships in Comparative Religion

Scholarship | Eligibility: Arts, Comparative Religion, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year

The Hayward Scholarships in Comparative Religion were established through the generosity of the late Ms. Constance Hayward of Wolfville. One scholarship in the amount of $590 and two in the amount of $295 may be awarded to students who have excelled in the study of Comparative Religion and who, in the previous year of university, have attained high academic standing. The awards will be applied against the students' fees at Acadia University.

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Hayward Silver Medal

Medal | Eligibility: Arts

The Hayward Silver Medal is awarded at Spring Convocation each year to the graduating student from the Faculty of Arts whose standing is closest to that of the Governor General's medallist. The medal was established in recognition of the many contributions of the Hayward family to Acadia and especially in memory of Constance Hayward (1906-1982). The medal is provided by the Associated Alumni of Acadia University and was first awarded in May 1983.

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Hazel Duncanson Vaughan Memorial Scholarship in Art

Scholarship | Eligibility: Arts, Art, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

An annual scholarship awarded to a student in a studio art course who demonstrates exceptional ability and competence. The scholarship, established in memory of Hazel Duncanson Vaughan (B.Sc. (H.Ec.) Acadia, '42), a life-long enthusiast of the fine arts, is awarded on the recommendation of the Head of the Department of Art.

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Hazel Miriam Dunham Cleghorn Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary

The Hazel Miriam Dunham Cleghorn Scholar-Bursary is awarded annually to a student entering Acadia University who has demonstrated financial need and outstanding academic and athletic achievements. The scholar-bursary was established by John Cleghorn and his family in 1998 in memory of his mother, Hazel Miriam Dunham Cleghorn, (BSH '35), an outstanding student-athlete who excelled both in the classroom and on the basketball court.

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Heartland Mutual Insurance Awards

Award of up to $2,500 | Eligibility: Athletics, Professional Studies, Business Administration

Established in 2023 by Heartland Mutual Insurance. To be awarded to a returning male and female varsity athlete enrolled in a business program with a focus on Accounting, Finance or Marketing that has a strong academic record and may demonstrate financial need. The recipients will be chosen by Director of Athletics.

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Heather and Rex Dunn Environmental Scholarship

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

The Heather and Rex Dunn Environmental Scholarship is awarded annually to third year, fourth year, or graduate students who have demonstrated a strong interest and aptitude for environmental topics. Preference will be given to students in the Faculty of Science.

This award has been established by Heather Dunn (SDE 1965) and Rex Dunn (BSC 1965 & MSC 1967).

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Helen and Douglas Buckler Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary of up to $1,000

Established in 2018 by Grant Buckler ('79), this scholar-bursary is awarded to a full-time undergraduate student in recognition of academic excellence and financial need. Douglas Buckler earned his MA at Acadia in 1950 and taught in Sheffield Mills, Digby and Cornwallis and was principal of the Clark Rutherford Memorial School on the Cornwallis base. He finished his teaching career as vice-principal and finally principal of New Germany Rural High School. Helen taught in Shawinigan (Quebec), Middle Stewiacke, Digby, Cornwallis and New Germany, where she taught both match and English at the senior high level.

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Helen Starr Boggs Memorial Scholarship in Drama

Scholarship | Eligibility: Arts, Theatre, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Helen Starr Boggs Memorial Scholarship in Drama. A capital sum has been provided by members of her family in memory of Helen Starr Boggs (1898 - 1986), the income from which is available in the form of a scholarship to a student entering the second or subsequent year of an undergraduate program, who has good academic standing, the respect of both faculty and students, and who has demonstrated outstanding potential in drama.

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Helena Isabella Oliver Prize in Music

Prize | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Music, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Helena Isabella Oliver Prize in Music was established by her family as a memorial to a friend of Acadia who was a teacher and musician. Born in 1908 she died in 1991. The prize is awarded to an in-course student preferably in piano or voice based on academic performance and outstanding musical talent.

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Henry and Rena Demone Entrance Scholarships

Scholarship | Eligibility: Entering first year, Nova Scotia

The Henry and Rena Demone Entrance Scholarships are awarded on a renewable basis to two Nova Scotia high school graduating students. Preference will be given to those who have demonstrated financial need.

The scholarships have been generously established by Henry (BSCH, Acadia, 1976) and Rena Demone who wished to provide a gift that would have a meaningful impact on the educational development of Acadia students.

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Henry Birks Medal in Education

Medal | Eligibility: Education

The Henry Birks Medal in Education is awarded to the student who has attained the highest average in courses of the Bachelor of Education program.

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Henry Lyons Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship of up to $40 | Eligibility: Arts, English, Current 1st year

The Henry Lyons Memorial Scholarship. An endowed scholarship with an annual value of $40 is to be awarded to the student with the highest mark in English 1006 who is proceeding to a major in English. The amount is to be paid on the fees of the junior year.

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Henry P. MacKeen Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Arts, Latin, Current 1st year

A scholarship in the amount of $160 was provided by the late Dr. Harvey E. Crowell to be awarded on the basis of distinction to a full time student with the highest mark in a Latin course.

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Herbert Francis Scott Thomas Memorial Trophy in Debating

Trophy

The Herbert Francis Scott Thomas Memorial Trophy in Debating instituted by the Athenaeum Debating Society is awarded annually for distinction in intercollegiate debating, qualities of personality, capacity for analytical thinking, organization and expression to that candidate deemed most worthy by the Faculty Debating Committee.

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Hicks Family Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary | Eligibility: Arts, Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science, Applied Science, Biology, Education

Established in 2014 by Judith (Hicks) Adams, Class of 1967, in honour of her parents Milledge Hicks (CAS 1935) and Charlotte (Fisher) Hicks (BA 1936), and her sister Mary Ellen Hicks (BA 1970, B.Ed 1971, M.Ed 1981). To be awarded to a full-time returning student in recognition of academic achievement. The award will rotate on an annual basis between students in the faculties of Arts, Pure and Applied Science (preference for Biology or Engineering), and Professional Studies (preference for Education).

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Hockey Player Memorial Trophy

Trophy | Eligibility: Athletics

The Hockey Player Memorial Trophy is presented for annual award to the first year hockey player who, in the judgment of the hockey coach, has shown most improvement during the season.

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Holly Turner Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary of up to $4,000

Established in 2018 by Holly (Turner) Gunn ('68, '69, '02), the Holly Turner Scholar Bursary is awarded on a renewable basis to an entering full-time undergraduate student from rural Lunenburg County in recognition of academic excellence and financial need. If there is no eligible candidate from rural Lunenburg County, a student from rural Nova Scotia will receive the scholar-bursary.

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Hugh and Linda Brown Educational Foundation Bursary

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

Established in 2022 by the Hugh and Linda Brown Educational Foundation, three bursaries are granted on a renewable basis to entering full-time students in any degree program. With a preference for students from Nova Scotia, the bursary is available to Atlantic Canadians in recognition of financial need, and particularly those students from disadvantaged backgrounds or are equity seeking, with a preference for those demonstrating community service.

The Hugh and Linda Brown Educational Foundation was founded in 2014 to assist financially disadvantaged individuals in Atlantic Canada, especially those in Nova Scotia, obtain an education and employment, thereby enhancing their life outcomes and society in general. Growing up in Amherst, Nova Scotia, both Hugh and Linda strongly believe that post-secondary education can create a world of opportunities for youth. The Foundation Board is made up of Hugh and Linda’s family, including Sean Brown (’98) and Lesley Brown (’02).

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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