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.

B.V.I. Memorial Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics, Aboriginal and/or Africian Nova Scotia

The B.V.I Memorial Award is provided annually to a varsity football player who demonstrates quality of character both as a student and athlete. Preference will be given to a student with financial need and of Aboriginal or African descent. The award is on recommendation of the Head Football Coach and the Director of Varsity Athletics and may be renewed at their discretion. The Award is made available through a gift from Gordon B. Swinamer and is in memory and honor of his wife Barbara, his mother Vera, and his mother-in-law Irene.

Donate Now 

Barrett Corporation Award

Award | Eligibility: Entering first year

The Barrett Corporation Award is provided to any students entering Acadia University who are children of full-time employees of Barrett Corporation and its subsidiaries (provided they are not recipients of the Barrett Scholarship). The award will be provided toward the first year of study. Recipients will also receive an offer for summer employment with Barrett Corporation or one of its subsidiaries throughout the student's program at Acadia.

Donate Now 

Bermuda Alumni Award

Award of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Student from Bermuda, first degree

Established in 2018 by Acadia alumni in Bermuda, to be awarded to a student from Bermuda in any year of study of their first degree at Acadia in any program. Preference is given to a student who demonstrates financial need.

Donate Now 

Bev Greenlaw Basketball Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2021 by former women’s basketball athletes and friends of Bev Greenlaw. This award recognizes a varsity women’s basketball student-athlete who is passionate about her sport, is in good standing academically and engaged with the community. Preference will be shown to an athlete who has made significant contributions to marginalized communities and shows a passion for equity and inclusion. The recipient shall be selected by the head coach of the women’s basketball program and the director of varsity athletics. Bev Greenlaw spent more than 40 years as a basketball coach at various levels. From 2008 to his retirement in 2015, Bev was head coach of the Acadia Women’s Basketball program. In 2012, he guided the team to its first conference championship in 60 years. Bev’s influence on his athletes transcended far past the basketball court, something he is most proud of.

Donate Now 

Bill Parker Hockey Award

Award

Established in 2019 by Peter Sheppard (’70). To be awarded to a returning varsity men’s hockey player who exemplifies leadership qualities on his team and in the community. The recipient shall be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.50 sessional grade point average. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the head coach of the varsity men’s hockey program.

Donate Now 

BioMedica Diagnostics Science Award

Award of up to $5,200 | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Entering first year

Established in 2021 BioMedica Diagnostics, this renewable entrance award is available to a science student demonstrating financial need and strong academic success. Students of BIPOC background who have experience contributing to community or family needs in a volunteer capacity are preferred. Considering a career in science, the recipient will have the opportunity to meet with staff at BioMedica Diagnostics and explore the possibility of a work term if the recipient has enrolled in Acadia’s Co-op program at the beginning of second year.

Value: $5,200 annually for 4 years

Donate Now 

Blair and Jay Thomson Memorial Award

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

Established in 2017 by Jay Thomson, Axemen Football 1977-1980, is in honour and memory of Jay’s father, Blair Thomson for his lifelong support of Jay’s football youth development. To be awarded to a returning football 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 football team and the Director of Athletics.

Donate Now 

BLM/TRC Awards

Award

The BLM/TRC Awards are granted on an annual and renewable basis to domestic students of African or Indigenous descent with financial need in any year of study. All renewed recipients will have demonstrated involvement in campus initiatives and will have helped to foster a welcoming environment for fellow members of the Acadia community.

The BLM/TRC Awards were established in 2020 as an acknowledgement of and in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Acadia University is committed to combatting systemic racism and increasing bursary funding directed to African Canadian and Indigenous students. Both populations have been impacted by historic injustices still present in Canada today and are clearly identifiable by ethnicity. As education is the root of progress at individual, community, and societal levels, these bursaries will accelerate progress and empower these communities by improving and encouraging access to post-secondary education.

Donate Now 

BMO Financial Group Athletics Awards

Award of up to $1,500 | Eligibility: Athletics

The award fund has been established through the generosity of the BMO Financial Group in recognition of the longstanding and respectful relationship between the Bank of Montreal (BMO) and Acadia University. These awards, in the amount of $1,500 each, will be evenly distributed among returning male and female varsity student-athletes who demonstrate positive leadership skills and are in good academic standing. Recipients will be selected by the Executive Director of Athletics.

Donate Now 

Bob Cameron Football Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2019 by Bob Cameron (’77). To be awarded to a returning varsity men’s football player who demonstrates an ability to successfully communicate with, motivate and appreciate others. The recipient shall be in good academic standing and will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the head coach of the varsity men’s football program.

The award honours Bob Cameron, Axemen quarterback from 1974 to 1978. He was the recipient of the Hec Crighton Award in 1977. After Acadia, Bob had an outstanding CFL career spanning 23 years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a punter. He helped the Blue Bombers to six Grey Cup appearances and three Grey Cup victories.

Donate Now 

Bob Smye (’78) Memorial Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

The Bob Smye (’78) Memorial Award will be presented annually to a returning football student-athlete. Preference will be given to a recipient that requires financial assistance, demonstrates a strong academic standing and provides leadership in the community. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the Head Coach.

Donate Now 

Bob Stead Award

Award | Eligibility: Entering first year, Nova Scotia

The Bob Stead Award is awarded annually to a student who is from Nova Scotia, preferably Wolfville, and who is entering the first year of a four-year degree program at Acadia University and who self-identifies as a member of the LGBTQ2+ community. The award is provided by the Town of Wolfville in memory of Bob Stead to celebrate diversity and encourage Nova Scotia students to "stay at home" and attend university.

Robert “Bob” Stead ('63) was Acadia's Registrar and later Mayor of the Town of Wolfville. Over his 27-year career with Acadia, Bob became the face of the Admissions Office, epitomizing the ‘personal touch’ that is an Acadia trademark. He was exceptionally well-liked and well-respected by colleagues and students alike. Prior to his retirement from Acadia, Bob was elected to Wolfville’s Town Council, a foray into municipal governance that would ultimately become his second career and would last for 24 years. He was elected Mayor in 1997, a position he held until October of 2012.

Donate Now 

Bob Vespaziani Memorial Football Awards

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2022 by alumni and friends of Acadia football, this award recognizes varsity football student-athletes who are highly motivated in the classroom and on the field. The recipients should display leadership characteristics in all aspects of student life and will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the Head Coach of the Football program. It is the wish of the donors to recognize a minimum of two recipients annually. Bob Vespaziani coached the varsity football program from 1968 to 1978 including eight years as Head Coach starting in 1971. He guided the Axemen to two appearances in the national championship final and was named conference Coach of the Year on three occasions. Bob went on to coach with various CFL teams including Winnipeg, British Columbia and Calgary. He was inducted into the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

Donate Now 

Brian Walling Football Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2019 by Brian Walling. To be awarded to a returning football athlete. The recipient must be in good academic standing, and present strong leadership qualities in the community. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with head coach of the men’s varsity football program.

Brian Walling was a Hec Crighton nominee at Acadia and a three-time conference MVP and named an All-Canadian. He smashed conference and national records during his five years. After Acadia, Brian enjoyed a ten-year CFL career including eight with the Edmonton Eskimos. He was a member of two Grey Cup championships.

Donate Now 

Bruce Beliveau Athletic Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics, Pure and Applied Science, Education

To be awarded to a student-athlete with Soccer, Basketball or Volleyball in any year of study. Preference will be given to students enrolled in education or science. The successful recipient must be in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need. The recipient shall be chosen by the Director of Varsity Athletics in consultation with the Head Coach of the respective programs as outlined above.

Bruce Beliveau was a multi-sport athlete at Acadia and excelled academically. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Biology in 1973 and a Bachelor of Education degree in 1974. During his time at Acadia, he was a member of the Junior Varsity Basketball team, Varsity Volleyball and Soccer teams. He was honoured as Soccer Team MVP in his final year. Following graduation, Bruce began his lifelong career as an Educator in Alberta. For over 40 years, he taught students a love of science, coached high school and community sports, led school communities as a Principal, and finished up his career as a District Superintendent. His lifelong love of sports has never stopped - he has continued to coach and play a variety of sports and is still an active member of a men's volleyball team that has played together for decades. These days, he is most often seen on the golf course or as a cheerleader on the sidelines for his grandchildren as they enter into the world of sport themselves.

Donate Now 

Bruce Wendell Phinney, FCPA, FCA, BBA (’81) Merit Award

Award | Eligibility: Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year

The Bruce Wendell Phinney, FCPA, FCA, BBA ’81 Merit Award, established in 2020 by his wife Gretchen and daughter Evan BBA ’16, celebrates Bruce’s life-long dedication and commitment to Acadia University, and his many generous and thoughtful contributions to the greater Nova Scotia community. This award is supported by Bruce’s extended family, friends, and Acadia Alumni, to ensure Bruce’s commitment, generosity of spirit, and hard work will live on at Acadia through future students.

The recipient of this award will be a current second or third-year student at Acadia University, who has a demonstrated history of community service, and dedication to personal growth. A committee, including members of the Phinney family, will adjudicate the applicant submissions.

Donate Now 

Buckley Family Award

Award | Eligibility: Environmental Science

Established in 2018 by Ron Buckley ('57), the Buckley Family Award is available to full-time science students in second year who are majoring in Earth and Environmental Science, formerly known as the Department of Geology. The recipients exhibit leadership skills and a promising future in the earth and environmental science industry.

Ron Buckley graduated from Acadia in 1957 with a BSc in Geology and continued his academic career at McGill University where he earned a MSc in 1959. He taught Geology courses at Acadia in the mid-90s. Ron's brother, Dale, graduated with the same degree at Acadia in 1959 and continued his studies at the University of Western Ontario where he received a MSc in 1963. He continued his academic career, working toward a PhD at the University of Alaska. Ron's granddaughter, Lauren Buckley, graduated from Acadia in 2018 with a BKin.

Donate Now 

Burton Russell Hockey Award

Award

Established in 2019 by Burton Russell ’57. To be awarded to a returning men’s hockey player who is in good academic standing, provides positive leadership skills with his team and in the community. The recipient will be chosen by the Head Coach of the varsity men’s hockey team and the Director of Athletics.

Donate Now 

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