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.

Tara Lynne Touesnard Memorial Bursary in Music

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

The Tara Lynne Touesnard Memorial Bursary in Music is awarded annually on recommendation of the Director of the School of Music to an entering or returning student in the Bachelor of Music degree program who shows promise in strings. The bursary is awarded on the basis of financial need and academic achievement. The bursary was established by the family and friends of Tara Lynne Touesnard, a third year Bachelor of Music Education student who died in an automobile accident in 1994. Tara Lynne was a composer and recording artist who held a number of awards and academic scholarships from Acadia. She was a four-time Maritime Old Time Fiddling Champion, a recipient of the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award, a Phi Delta Kappa Education Scholarship and the 1991 Cultural Life Award for Nova Scotia and had toured with the Cape Breton Summertime Revue.

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Taylor Family Athletic Leadership Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

The Taylor Family Athletic Leadership Award was established in 2019 by Ralph Taylor (’61, ’62, ’63). The award will be presented to a student-athlete who is a member of the men’s hockey or football program. The recipient shall be passionate about community, possess strong leadership qualities and be in good academic standing. The award shall alternate annually between both programs beginning with men’s hockey for the 2022-23 academic year. The recipient will be recommended by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the head coach of the hockey or football program.

The Taylor Family Leadership Athletic Award was created to recognize the impact that athletics played in the lives of Ralph (’61, ’62 and ‘’63) and Bill Taylor (’83). Ralph was a member of the varsity men’s football program from 1957-1961 and Bill played for the hockey Axemen from 1979-1984.

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Taylor, MacLellan and Cochrane Entrance Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Entering first year, Nova Scotia

Taylor, MacLellan and Cochrane Entrance Scholarship is annually awarded to a superior entering student from a high school within the Kings County District School Board. The endowment is provided by Taylor, MacLellan and Cochrane, Barristers and Solicitors of Kentville, Nova Scotia.

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TD Bursaries

Bursary | Eligibility: Arts, Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science

Originally established in 2002 and 2008 as the TD Bank Financial Group Bursary and the TD Bank Financial Group Student Bursaries, the TD Bursaries are granted annually to Canadian students who demonstrate financial need. Approximately one-third of the bursaries are designated for entering students who have satisfactory academic standing.

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Terry Hennigar Environmental Geo Science and Engineering Award

Award | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year, Entering final Year

Established in 2020 by Heather and Terry Hennigar (’65). To be awarded to a returning student enrolled in Earth & Environmental Sciences, or Engineering, with a preference to a student with a keen interest in hydrogeology. The recipient shall be recommended by the Head of Earth & Environmental Sciences in consultation with the Head of the Ivan Curry School of Engineering.

Terry’s first two years at Acadia were in Engineering when he was planning a career flying jets. When the Avro Arrow super sonic jet was scuttled, and most air training cancelled, he left university to teach for two years with Frontier College in northern Canada’s mining industry. On his return to Acadia he switched to the Geology program where he was introduced to the new and upcoming field of hydrogeology and groundwater resources. His career in the science and engineering of evaluating, development, management, and protection of our precious groundwater resources has included regional, national, and international opportunities and challenges.

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The Nova Scotia Teachers Union Bursaries in Education

Bursary | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Education

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union Bursaries in Education are awarded annually, one to a student of Indigenous descent and one to a student of African descent who are currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Education program and who have financial need. The award is on recommendation of the School of Education.

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Thomas and Violet Thorne Hetherington Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Entering first year, New Brunswick

The Thomas and Violet Thorne Hetherington Scholarship of $1880 ($470 a year for up to four years) was endowed by the late Mrs. Judson E. Hetherington of Sikeston, Missouri.

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Thomas Dadson Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship of up to $200 | Eligibility: Arts, History, Politics, Current 2nd year

The Thomas Dadson Memorial Scholarship. An annual award of $200 in memory of Dr. Thomas Dadson, Mark Curry Professor of History at Acadia University, 1929 - 1950, endowed by an old friend, is awarded at the end of the second year to a student of distinction proceeding to a major in history or political science.

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Thomas Ellison and Mildred G. (Francis) Irvine Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary of up to $5,000

The Thomas and Mildred Irvine Scholar-Bursary will be offered in the amount of $5000 to students entering their second or subsequent year full-time study at Acadia, in any discipline, who have achieved an average of 85%. Preference that recipients be residents of Nova Scotia. The scholar-bursary is made available through the kindness and generosity of the estate of alumna Mildred G. Irvine BA’40, BEd’41, MA’50, and her late husband Thomas E. Irving BA’49, MA’50.

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Thomas Gordon MacLeod Memorial Bursary

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

The Thomas Gordon MacLeod Memorial Bursary is the interest on an endowment of $10,000 donated from the Estate of the late T. Gordon MacLeod by Mrs. Elizabeth MacLeod and family members. It is annually awarded to a needy student registered in the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science or the School of Business Administration. Preference is given to a Pictou County, Nova Scotia, resident.

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Thomas J. Hammett Memorial Scholar-Bursaries

Scholar-Bursary

The Thomas J. Hammett Memorial Scholar-Bursaries are awarded annually to students from the Atlantic Provinces. Two awards are presented annually; one to an entering student and one to a continuing student who have extra-curricular interests and achievement in athletics, maintained satisfactory academic standing and demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to students registered in the Business Administration program.

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Thomas R. Pattillo Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship of up to $470 | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Music, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Thomas R. Pattillo Memorial Scholarship was provided by the late Jennie A. Bentley (Acadia Ladies Seminary) of Truro, Nova Scotia, in memory of her grandfather, Thomas R. Pattillo (B.A. 1856). The entrance scholarship is awarded on a renewable basis every third or fourth year or as available to a student in the School of Music.

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Tom Coolen Hockey Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2020 by Tom Coolen. 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 and shall be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the head coach of the varsity men’s hockey program. The initial award is for the 2021-22 academic year.

The award honours Tom Coolen who coached the hockey Axemen from 1986 to 1995. As Head Coach, Tom led the program to its first national championship in 1993. He was instrumental in building one of Canada’s most dominant men’s university hockey programs of the 1990s. Tom was inducted to the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

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Tom Henry Basketball Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2024 by Tom Henry (’95). To be awarded to a returning member of the men’s basketball program in recognition of their leadership, sportsmanship and commitment to the team, community involvement, positive communication skills and good academic standing. This athlete should consistently represent team values, hard work and a strong ethical consciousness. The recipient will be chosen by the Head Coach of the men’s basketball program in consultation with the Director of Athletics. The inaugural award will be for the 2024-25 academic year.

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Tory – Bagnall and MacDonald Bursary: ‘work is love made visible’

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

The annual expendable gift funds the Tory—Bagnall and MacDonald Bursary: ‘work is love made visible’, the terms of reference for which is as follows, to be offered for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Established by Cairine and Bernie MacDonald, the educational fund honours Tory and Bagnall family members who settled in the Maritimes in 1784. The bursary acknowledges the extreme difficulties faced by United Empire Loyalists following the American Revolution and unique challenges for those of African heritage.

Tory and Bagnall families attended Acadia, with a Doctor of Civil Laws conferred on Lucy Bagnall during the centennial in 1938. This bursary celebrates the very important work done in Alberta by Marj Tory (Bagnall) with high school students requiring financial assistance – ‘work is love made visible.’ Cairine (Tory) and Bernie MacDonald met at Acadia.

This bursary is available for a full-time student demonstrating financial need. With a strong preference for students from Guysborough County, it can be awarded more broadly to Canadian citizens from the Maritime provinces. Over the long term, it is intended that at least 50% of the bursaries of the bursaries are granted to female students and at least 50% to Black students. The goal of the bursary is to cover the cost of tuition or residence for a student who intends to prepare for the workforce immediately following their Bachelor degree.

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Town of Wolfville Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Entering first year, Nova Scotia

The Town of Wolfville Bursary is awarded annually to a student who is now and has been a resident of the Town of Wolfville for at least three years and who is entering the first year of a four-year degree program at Acadia University. The eligible student shows evidence of community service during high school years and/or extracurricular initiatives that have positively affected the quality of life of others. The student must also demonstrate financial need. The bursary may be renewed for up to four years.

The bursary is provided by the Town of Wolfville to address the wishes of its citizens to encourage excellent local students to “stay at home” and attend university.

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Town of Wolfville EDI Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Entering first year, Nova Scotia

The Town of Wolfville EDI Bursary 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. The eligible student self-identifies as someone who has barriers, and represents the mandate of equity, diversity and inclusion. The student must also possess a demonstrated need for financial assistance. The bursary may be renewed for up to four years.

The bursary is provided by the Town of Wolfville to celebrate diversity and encourage Nova Scotia students of all backgrounds to “stay at home” and attend university.

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Tracey McGillivray Volleyball Award

Award of up to $5,000 | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2018 by Tracey McGillivray, Axewomen Volleyball 1983-1986. To be awarded to a returning women's volleyball 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 women's volleyball team and the Director of Athletics.

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Trask Family Basketball Award

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

Established in 2023 by Matthew (’92) and Michael (’66). To be awarded to a men’s basketball player who is in good academic standing and shows leadership on the team and in the community. Preference will be given to an individual who demonstrates a desire to improve their academic and athletic performance through hard work and perseverance. The recipient will be chosen by the Head Coach of the varsity men’s basketball team and the Director of Athletics. Value: $2,000

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Trask Family Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year, Entering first year

The Trask Family Bursary is awarded on a renewable basis to an entering or returning student who is a resident of Nova Scotia and has demonstrated financial need, good work ethics and has participated in extra-curricular or community activities. Preference will be given to a student from Yarmouth, Digby or Shelburne Counties. This award is made possible through the generosity of Michael L. Trask (BCO, Acadia, 1966) and his family from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

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Trites Family Award in Education

Award of up to $5,000 | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Education, Nova Scotia

Established in 2024 by Jim Trites (’68, ’69), this award is granted to students enrolled full-time in the Bachelor of Education program. Eligible students are from Nova Scotia and plan to teach in Nova Scotia following graduation. They intend to be involved in extracurricular activities as teachers, such as sports, music, debate, yearbook. Two $5,000 awards are available annually, preferably for students demonstrating financial need.

Jim Trites's parents, Laurie and Jocelyn were both Acadia graduates and were teachers. Laurie Trites was principal of Horton Academy for the last 19 years of its existence and later taught a math methods course at Acadia. Jim, and his siblings Bruce, Margaret and John are Acadia graduates and retired teachers, although John still teaches a geography methods course at Acadia. Bruce and John's wives, Suzanne and Janet, were both teachers and John and Janet's daughter is a music teacher in Halifax.

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Trudell Research Award

Award | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Pursuing an Honours Research Project

Established in 2020 by Cynthia Trudell (’74, ’05), this award is designed to support the unique research work of Acadia’s most promising undergraduate Honours students in Chemistry, Physics or Biology, with a preference for Chemistry. It will be awarded during the summer prior to the final honours year in recognition of the recipient’s thesis proposal.

Cynthia M. Trudell studied chemistry and engineering at Acadia, graduating in 1974 with a BSc and a National Research Scholarship for graduate work culminating in a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Windsor. She was the first woman to head a car division at any US or foreign auto maker. Her 20-year career with General Motors saw her in increasingly senior positions, finishing as GM’s Vice President and President of Saturn Corporation. She has been recognized by Acadia as a member of the Chemistry Hall of Fame, a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award and an Honorary Doctor of Science. A mother of two and grandmother of three, Dr. Trudell retired as Executive Vice President of PepsiCo in 2017.

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Contact

External Relations
15 University Avenue
Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6, Canada
General Inquiries: 902.585.1459
To make a donation: 902.585.1912
Toll Free in North America:
1.866.ACADIA (1.866.222.3428)
acadia.alumni@acadiau.ca

Charitable Registration #: 106681893 RR0001