By Liam Verster

Financial Aid for Post-Secondary students

Nearly $30K in grants for post-secondary students available through Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta

May 19, 2021 | 1:42 PM

The Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta (CFNA) has opened applications for the annual student awards, and this year the Foundation has $29,654 worth of scholarships to give away.

The scholarships, which are broken up into 33 categories ranging from $235 to $1,000 in value, each have specific criteria that CFNA CEO Laura LaValley says match the intent of the fund holders.

“They really range from all different regions in Northwestern Alberta as well as all different areas of study,” said LaValley. “We’re just really pleased that we have a really wide variety to help support students with all kinds of interests.”

There’s no parameters around age, and LaValley says they recognize that students take on post-secondary education at all stages of their life, and they want to provide supports to everyone where they can.

LaValley adds students should apply for whatever scholarships they may be qualified for.

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“We’ve clearly outlined the qualifications. There’s a spot on the application where they explain what they’re applying for. We certainly welcome students to apply for as many as they think they qualify for, and then we deliberate once the portal has closed and try to distribute the awards as best and equitably as we can.”

The money for these scholarships come from fund holders who have ear-marked the money for scholarships and set the parameters surrounding the awards.

“Some we’ve held at the Community Foundation for quite some time, some are fairly new, and then we grant off the interest of the capital that’s donated by these fund holders.

“So, the intent is that these student awards will be able to be offered in perpetuity, and we just want to make sure that we’re upholding our end of the deal by making sure students are aware, that the word is out, and that the money gets dispersed as these donors intended.”

The deadline to apply for the scholarships, which are outlined below, is August 23. Applications can be found and submitted through the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta’s website.

2000 Alberta Summer Games: (five $540 awards) Supports Peace Country athletes who have competed at the local, provincial, national and international levels.

2016 Rotary Curling Legacy Fund: (one $550 award) Awards a Peace Country curler who has participated in organized junior curling programs. Applicants must include what/who inspired them to curl, and what they know of the Rotary Club.

Andrea Vavrek Memorial Fund: (one $240 award) For a student who attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Sexsmith and is registered in a medical training program

Aquatera Environment Fund: (one $500 award) For a student who’s actively supported environmental projects focused on community sustainability, prioritizing waste or waste reduction in municipalities served by Aquatera.

Beaverlodge Community Band Fund: (one $280 award) For Beaverlodge High School graduate who has expressed financial need. Priority will be given to a student enrolled in a Music or Bachelor of Arts program.

Bent Sears Memorial Fund: (one $380 award) For a Sexsmith Secondary High School graduate in financial need. Priority will be given to a student enrolled in agriculture, education or nursing programs.

Chief Ronald W Clark Fund: (one $575 award) For a County of Grande Prairie resident that has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Peace Country, and is registered in an emergency service program. Priority will be given to those who have demonstrated service to others through volunteerism and/or helping those in need.

Chomik Family Trumpeter Hotel Fund: (one $600 award) For a mature Peace Country resident focusing on tourism or hospitality.

Devonne Norman Legacy Fund: (one $530 award) For a mature student who has been out of school for at least three years and registered in a Political Science Program with an interest in law. First priority will be given to students not receiving other funding support.

Dirk (Dick) van Niewkerk Fund: (one $285 award) For a student entering a registered trades or apprenticeship technical training program.

Dr. Claudia T. Strehlke Medical Award Fund: (one $250 award) For a Peace Country resident attending a public post-secondary institution and studying medicine, nursing, or other health-related subjects. Priority will be given to those studying internal medicine or oncology, and to those who intend to practice in rural Alberta.

Dustin Sieker Legacy Fund: (one $700 award) For a Peace Country resident registered in the field of Emergency Response and/or Medical Training.

Glib Popkey Legacy Fund: (three $465 awards) Peace Country student who has resided in Northwestern Alberta for at least two years and is in financial need.

Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce Legacy Fund: (three $400 awards) Applicants must intend to work in the Peace Country for at least one year following completion of studies.

GS Minhas Family Legacy Fund: (one $270 award) Peace Country student registered in trades programs and in financial need. Second priority will be given to students registered in the Bachelor of Science Nursing program.

Hayley Gardner Memorial Fund: (one $500 award) For a Peace Wapiti Academy graduate committed to helping others over themselves.

Hilde’s Hope Fund: (one $240 award) For a Peace Country resident in financial need, with priority given to those who with lots of volunteer experience.

Horse Lake Education Fund: (one $450 award) Priority will be given to aboriginal students from Horse Lake First Nation.

Jean Duplessis Family Legacy Fund: (two $500 awards) For Grande Prairie Public School Division graduates registered in the Bachelor of Education or Bachelor of Science Nursing programs, with priority given to single parents in financial need.

Joseph F. Reder/Hansen Fund: (four $475 awards) For Grande Prairie Regional College Bachelor of Science Nursing program students. Priority will be given to those not receive funds from other sources, and those who intend to work in the Peace Country for at least a year following their studies.

Lorne Lind Memorial Fund: (three $500 awards) For students enrolled in either automotive service technician programs or heavy duty equipment programs who intend to work in the Peace Region for at least a year after graduation.

North Klusken Community Club Fund: (one $400 award) For high school graduates from Sexsmith, with a priority given to students who completed elementary school in Teepee Creek.

Q99 Student Award Fund: (three $280 awards) For GPRC students with priority given to Indigenous students enrolled in fine arts programs.

Ryan R Blais Legacy Fund: (one $500 fund) For St. Joseph’s Catholic High School graduates who demonstrate compassion and help those in need.

Sexsmith Citizens on Patrol Student Award Fund: (one $315 award) For Sexsmith High School graduate who’s expressed financial need and registered in post-secondary education.

Sheehan Flint Family Fund: (four $1,000 awards) For GPRC students committed to community and demonstrated financial need.

Smart and Caring Student Award: (four $325 awards) For students in northwestern Alberta who have demonstrated a commitment to community and are in financial need.

Storm Stay in School Junior A Hockey Scholarship Fund: (four $700 awards) For current or former players of any Peace Area Junior A level hockey team and have played Junior A hockey in the Peace Region for at least two years.

Swan City Breakfast Lions Club Fund: (one $225 award) For a Peace Region student who held a position as a Referee, Umpire or Team Official in any sport as a youth (under 20 years old).

Swan City Rotary Club Community Service Above Self Fund: (five $480 awards) For Peace Country residents registered in a post-secondary or specific trade or technical program that demonstrates community service above self and intend to work in the Peace Region for at least one year following graduation.

Vision for the Future Fund: (one $230 award) For GPRC student in financial need.

Wolves Minor Basketball Fund: (one $365 award) For a GPRC student who has participated in at least one season of Wolves Minor Basketball.

Woronuk Legacy Fund: (two $600 awards) For a student who resides or had graduated high school in the Central Peace area.