Alex Decoteau Award of Honour

What you will need

• ✓ Completed and signed application form
• ✓ Member’s Personnel Record Resume (MPRR) for verification of military service dates and designated military operation
• ✓ Documentation showing relationship to the Canadian Armed Forces member (if not identified on the MPRR)
• ✓ For Canadian Armed Forces members: proof of disability indicating it resulted from training, including the nature of the disability
• ✓ For family members: proof of death or disability indicating it resulted from a designated military operation or training, including the nature of the disability

About this award

You can receive a $5,000 award. This is a grant, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. While there are up to 200 awards of $5,000 each available, you can receive a lifetime maximum of two awards. This is for you if you are a member of the Canadian Armed Forces or an immediate family member of a soldier who served in designated military operations or was disabled or deceased during service. You must apply between August 1 and October 31. No specific notification date is posted publicly — when you apply, ask Government of Alberta (Alberta Student Aid) how and when you will hear back via email, portal, or phone. The award is issued after Government of Alberta (Alberta Student Aid) confirms your enrolment in a post-secondary institution. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Government of Alberta (Alberta Student Aid) how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Government of Alberta (Alberta Student Aid) during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Government of Alberta (Alberta Student Aid) whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be currently enrolled in a public post-secondary institution in Alberta in a post-secondary program leading to an academic credential, such as a journeyperson certificate, certificate, diploma, or degree including graduate programs. If you are a Canadian Armed Forces member, you must be a returning soldier who actively served in designated military operations in the Canadian Armed Forces (Regular or Reserves), or was permanently disabled as a result of participation in the Canadian Armed Forces training. If you are a family member, you must be a spouse, common-law partner, or child of a Canadian Armed Forces soldier who actively served in designated military operations in the Canadian Armed Forces (Regular or Reserves), or is deceased or permanently disabled while serving or as a result of a designated military operation or participation in Canadian Armed Forces training.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Open to post-secondary students
• ✓ Resident of Alberta

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• Military RecordsAvoid submitting an incomplete record. Instead, ensure your Member’s Personnel Record Resume (MPRR — the official document detailing your military service and operations) clearly shows your service dates and the specific designated operations you served in. Check the Government of Canada website for the full list of recognized operations.
• DocumentationAvoid sending vague medical notes. Instead, provide formal proof of disability from Veteran Affairs Canada (the federal agency that supports veterans) that explicitly states the disability resulted from military training or operations. Ensure the document describes the nature of the disability.
• StrategyAvoid using your school email for your account. Instead, use a personal email address to create and verify your Alberta Student Aid account. This ensures you don't lose access to your funding information after you graduate.
• RealismAvoid waiting until the end of October to apply. Instead, prepare your MPRR and relationship documents in July so you can submit your application as soon as the window opens on August 1.

Questions students ask

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