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.

MacLean Family Arts Award

Award | Eligibility: Arts, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Pursuing an Honours Research Project

The MacLean Family Arts Award is awarded to a returning upper-year student in the Faculty of Arts, at the discretion of the Dean of Arts. The award will be granted to a student from Atlantic Canada who is enrolled in an Honours program and demonstrates high academic achievement and may have financial need.

Established in 2022 by Don MacLean (’57) in honour of his cousins and fellow Acadia graduates Elizabeth Hoyt (’57) and Aleen Stanton (’15). Elizabeth graduated from Acadia with a BSc in Biology. A natural and gifted artist, Elizabeth developed a professional interior design practice, followed by a long career as a science teacher in New Brunswick. Throughout her career and in her retirement, she has always been a strong supporter of arts and culture. Aleen shares a love of the arts; she graduated in 2015 with a BA (Hons) in History and received the Hayward Medal. She works for the Government of Nova Scotia on culture, heritage, and climate change issues. Aleen is also a Research Associate with the Nova Scotia Museum, and has published articles on topics such as environmental history, music heritage, and heritage craft. Though of different generations, Don, Elizabeth, and Aleen all have felt nurtured by Acadia and their family relationship strengthened because of it. They are grateful and proud to establish and participate in this award supporting students in the arts.

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MacNeily Economics Research Award

Award | Eligibility: Arts, Economics, Pursuing an Honours Research Project

Established in 2019 by Ian MacNeily (’81), this award is designed to support the unique research work of Acadia’s most promising undergraduate Honours students in Economics. It will be awarded during the summer prior to the final honours year in recognition of the recipient’s Economics thesis proposal.

Ian MacNeily is a proud Acadia graduate of the class of 1981 (BA, Economics). A CPA, CA, Ian is an accomplished senior financial executive with extensive experience in building and leading public companies. Based in Toronto, Ian has been actively engaged with Acadia as a donor and a volunteer for many years.

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MacNeily Family Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Arts

The MacNeily Family Bursary will be awarded annually to an entering or returning student to a degree program in the Faculty of Arts. Preference will be given to all round students involved with school life. This bursary was established in May 2009 by Ian MacNeily (BA Acadia, 1981) in memory of Murray MacNeily (BSc, Acadia 1954) and Jack MacNeily (BSc, Acadia, 1949; BEd, Acadia 1951)

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MacVicar Athletic Bursary

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

Established in 2016 by Mary Whitney MacVicar (’90) and Allan MacVicar (’92), the award is granted annually in recognition of financial need. The recipient is a male student actively involved in athletic pursuits (varsity, club or external) while attending Acadia. Bursary applicants must convey in writing how this bursary will support their academic and athletic endeavours.

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Magill Scholarship

Scholarship of up to $2,000 | Eligibility: Arts, Politics, Sociology

The Magill Scholarship. Established in 2012 by Dennis Magill (Class of 1961). To be awarded to two full-time students(s) entering their final year of study in Sociology or Political Science, who have demonstrated excellent academic performance. Preference for students demonstrating financial need.

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Margaret Ann MacKeen MacKechnie Scholarship in Painting

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

An annual scholarship is awarded to a student registered in a painting course in the Art Department who has demonstrated artistic abilities and is recommended by the Head of that Department. This scholarship is provided by Mrs. E.L. MacLeod in honour of Mrs. MacKechnie, a graduate of the Acadia Ladies Seminary (1896).

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Margaret L. Ford Scholarships

Scholarship of up to $525 | Eligibility: Arts, English, French, German, History, Politics, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Margaret L. Ford Scholarships in English (4), History (4), Political Science (4), French (4) and German (4) were endowed by the late Ms. Ford (B.A. Acadia, 1922; M.A. Toronto, 1930) who was born in Wolfville and was a distinguished teacher in schools in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Ontario. They are awarded annually to the top students in years one, two, three and four in English, history, political science, French and German.

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Matthew Kennedy ('06) Memorial Bursary

Bursary of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Arts, History

Established in 2016 by family and friends of Matthew Kennedy, this bursary is awarded to a student in any year who is majoring in history and has financial need.

Matthew and his wife Lindsay (Connolly) graduated from Acadia in 2006 and 2007 respectively, and moved to Calgary where he worked as a Private Banker for TD Bank. Matt enjoyed hockey and softball, fishing and outdoor life at his cottage, and most of all his wife and daughter Ella.

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Matthew Kohlenberg Memorial Award in Philosophy

Award | Eligibility: Arts, Philosophy

The Matthew Kohlenberg Memorial Award in Philosophy. Established in memory of Matthew Kohlenberg in 2013 by his family and friends, on the recommendation of the Department of Philosophy, the award will be given to a returning full-time Bachelor of Arts student majoring in Philosophy who demonstrates (1) a passion for learning evidenced by academic excellence together with active and inclusive participation in the learning process; and (2) either (i) well-rounded engagement and camaraderie within the university community or (ii) financial need. As an Honours Philosophy student at Acadia, Matthew searched for truth and meaning. He had passion and purpose. Matthew was always smiling and enjoyed engaging with people. He was genuine, compassionate, creative, articulate and had a sharp mind.

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Mildred Schurman Memorial Scholarship

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

The Mildred Schurman Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a second or subsequent year student in the B.A. program with a major or honours in French and who intends to enter the B.Ed. program. The scholarships are provided through the Estate of Mildred Carolyn Schurman (B.A. Acadia, 1916; M.A., 1919) who dedicated her life to the teaching profession.

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Morse Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Arts, Economics, Politics, Sociology, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Morse Memorial Scholarship. A scholarship of $760 was established by the late Hazel Gordon Morse (B.A. Acadia, 1920) to be awarded annually to the student who attains the highest standing in economics, political science or sociology, who is majoring in one of these subject areas, and who is completing their third or fourth year of study.

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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