Student Awards
Financial circumstances shouldn’t be a barrier to post-secondary education. That’s why ECF offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to help students with financial need achieve their post-secondary goals.
Our Student Awards help you reduce the amount of debt you take on, whether you’re just getting started or are halfway through your program. Since 1989, we have provided millions of dollars to more than 2,000 students. We provide more than $1.2 million in student grants annually.
One student, Naomi Rau, received Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards (BBMA) in 2006-2009. The scholarships helped Naomi finish her Bachelor of Commerce degree in four years without having to take time off to work to afford tuition. After graduating from the University of Calgary with a major in International Business, Naomi started her career as a Business Improvement Analyst. Now Naomi is giving back to the program that gave her the financial security she needed. In 2010, She established the Rau Family BBMA Fund to help other students pursue their post-secondary dreams. Click here to watch a video about Naomi’s story.
The BBMAs are just one of many Student Awards available. You can find out more about each below. Before applying, please click here and read the Tips for Applying for Student Awards.
March 31 Annual Deadline
- Awards generally range between $2,000-$10,000.
- For Métis students who are residents of Alberta.
- Click here for more information.
Francis George Winspear was a successful businessman, a leading industrialist, a university professor in accounting, a volunteer and patron of several arts organizations, and a philanthropist renowned as an ardent admirer of music and the arts. His contributions to Canada’s business, academic and cultural scenes were both direct and indirect, through his inspiration and mentorship of others in their pursuit of excellence.
The Winspear Fund at Edmonton Community Foundation has a tradition of encouraging excellence within the arts and education sectors. In particular, the Fund supports the Edmonton Opera, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and talented local artists. Each year, a portion of the Winspear Fund is allocated to support students who are pursuing advanced studies in classical music (instrument or voice).
Primary criteria are quality of performance and proven recognition of achievement in classical music performance.
In 2020, 19 awards totaling $100,000 were granted. The size and number of awards may vary.
- Awards generally range between $1,000-$8,000.
- Click here for more information.
Ranald and Vera Shean were highly respected musicians and teachers in Edmonton. They were determined that the young people they taught should not miss out on opportunities to expand their musical abilities and would often help students with travel or tuition. Ranald passed away in 1997; Vera in 2005. Both Ranald and Vera are members of the City’s Cultural Hall of Fame.
The Ranald and Vera Shean Memorial Scholarship Fund assists students who demonstrate commitment and exceptional talent in studies of violin or piano. The primary criterion is quality of performance.
The Shean’s legacy also continues to support music education and excellence through The Shean Strings & Piano Competition and the Edmonton Kiwanis Music Festival.
In 2020, 13 awards totaling $55,000 were granted. The size and number of awards may vary.
- Awards generally range between $1,000-$5,000.
- Click here for more information.
May 1 Annual Deadline
- Awards generally range from $1,000-$5,000.
- For refugees and immigrants from Emerging Communities living in the greater Edmonton area.
- Edmonton Refugee and Emerging Community (EREC) Awards is managed by the Africa Centre.
- Click here for more information.
May 15 Annual Deadline
Edmonton Community Foundation has a long history of providing student awards to help students achieve their educational dreams. ECF Awards and Bursaries (previously known as Community Scholarships) were launched in 2009 to help students from Edmonton and/or Northern Alberta who have a history of community involvement with the costs of post-secondary education.
- Awards generally range between $1,000-$6,000.
- ECF Awards and Bursaries support students from Edmonton and/or northern Alberta with financial need who have a history of community involvement or leadership.
Funds that contribute to ECF Awards and Bursaries include:
- Larry & Janet Anderson Arts Endowment Fund
- Raymond G. Flanagan Award Endowment Fund
- Eldon & Anne Foote Fund for Education
- Colin Forbes Memorial Fund
- Don Howden & Jane Squire Howden Education Award Fund
- Rose Margaret King Education Fund
- Morhart Personal and Community Leadership Fund
- Henry & Helen Neri Fund
- John & Barbara Poole Family Community Scholarship Fund
- Evelyn Shapka Communications Endowment Fund
- John Shaw Memorial Fund
- Single Parents Independence Fund
- Stollery Community Scholarship Fund
- Rose Rosenberger Family Fund
- Rotary Club of Edmonton Strathcona Endowment Fund
- Teri Taylor-Tunski (T3) Fund
- Click here for more information.
Alexandra Munn has been a teacher and leader in Alberta’s musical community for over 60 years and is a member of Edmonton’s Cultural Hall of Fame. She has been a member of the Calgary Philharmonic and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestras, a Musical Director at the Banff Centre, a Professor at the University of Alberta, and a Director of the Da Camera Singers, the Edmonton Opera Chorus and the Richard Eaton Singers. She continues to teach at the Alberta College Conservatory of Music at Grant MacEwan University.
After many years of service to the Winspear Foundation as a grants panel member, the Winspear Foundation established the Alexandra Munn Scholarship Fund at Edmonton Community Foundation to honour her and to support the arts in greater Edmonton through support of students demonstrating financial need and outstanding talent in classical music performance (vocal and/or instrumental).
Applicants will also be considered for the John & Andrea Wallin Awards. The awards are provided through the generosity of long-time supporters of Edmonton’s arts community. Applicants should complete a single application form to be considered for both awards programs.
- Awards generally range from $300 to $1,000.
- For Edmonton area students ages 11 to 15 who demonstrate outstanding talent in classical music.
- Click here for more information.
May 31 Annual Deadline
Nancy Fairley’s gifts as a teacher and mentor instilled in her students a deeper understanding of finely crafted literature. Her greatest achievement was to teach English in a special way that expanded the horizons for a diverse group of students with a wide range of intellectual abilities, interests and backgrounds. She inspired her students and taught them how to think. She also contributed to the community in a wide variety of ways, including serving on the boards of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and the Alberta Baroque Music Society.
The Nancy Fairley Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Nancy Fairley through generous donations from family and friends. Donors continue to contribute to the fund to support students who demonstrate passion for academic excellence and community involvement
- Award of $3,000.
- For Edmonton public or Catholic students enrolled in a full International Baccalaureate (IB) program in their final year of high school. Students must be nominated by their IB English 30 teacher.
- Click here for more information.
Don Lowry was the president and CEO of EPCOR from January 1998 to his retirement on March 6th of 2013. In recognition of his service, EPCOR’s Board of Directors established a fund with the support of other community members. Don and Norine matched EPCOR’s contribution to the Don and Norine Lowry Awards Fund. The award is to honour Don and his achievements for the company and community. More importantly, it provides assistance to women of all ages in pursuit of their goals.
- Awards generally range between $1,000-$5,000.
- For women of all ages pursuing studies in the fields of Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry , Nursing, water, power, energy, finance, accounting, and safety.
- Click here for more information.
August 31 Annual Deadline
Al Maurer was the long-time City Manager for the City of Edmonton. Upon his retirement in 2009, city staff and others contributed to the Al Maurer Awards Fund to honour him and to assist public service employees with furthering their education in areas that will promote public service excellence.
- Awards generally range between $500-$2,500.
- For public service employees working in Edmonton who demonstrate excellence and long-term commitment to their profession.
- Click here for more information.
An educator and Deaf advocate, Charmaine Letourneau received the Order of Canada in 2001 in recognition of her work in improving the quality of life for Deaf people.
The Charmaine Letourneau Fund was established to support post-secondary education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Albertans. Ongoing donations from many individual contributors and community organizations continue to support the fund and honour a community leader.
The Charmaine Letourneau Scholarship is awarded each year to a Deaf or Hard of Hearing person who will attend an academic or training program at a qualified institution. Priority is given to individuals who demonstrate involvement in Deaf and Hard of Hearing organizations, school or community leadership, commitment to and diligence in studies, and likelihood the program of study will lead to employment or further educational opportunities.
- Awards generally range from $2,000 to $5,000.
- For Deaf or hard of hearing students who are residents of Alberta.
- Click here for more information.
For more information about Student Awards, contact our staff at studentawards@ecfoundation.org or by phone at 780-426-0015.
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