Government of Alberta — Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund
Alberta high school graduates earn $300 to $1,300 per grade across Grades 10, 11 and 12, up to $2,500 combined for post-2008 grads.
Published by G Paul · last checked August 31, 2026
The Alexander Rutherford Scholarship for High School Achievement is the Province of Alberta's flagship merit-based scholarship for senior high school graduates pursuing post-secondary studies. Named for Alberta's first Premier, the scholarship is funded statutorily through the Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund (governed by the Heritage Scholarship Act) and administered through Alberta Student Aid. The award is TIERED — students earn portions for grades earned in each of Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12 separately, with the amounts increasing as grades increase: Grade 10 $300-$400, Grade 11 $500-$800, Grade 12 $700-$1,300. The maximum combined amount for post-2008 high school graduates is $2,500 — students who earn the maximum at all three grade levels receive the full $2,500 by the time they begin post-secondary. (Different, typically lower, tier amounts apply for pre-2008 graduates per the Operational Policy Manual.) Important note: a '$3,500' figure circulates in third-party sources but is not verified by the Alberta Student Aid Operational Policy Manual; the $2,500 combined cap is the policy-manual confirmed figure for post-2008 graduates. Application is through Alberta Student Aid; if you're applying for Alberta Student Aid for your post-secondary studies, the Rutherford scholarship is part of the same portal and account.
You qualify for the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship if you (1) graduated from senior high school in Alberta; (2) are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person; (3) are pursuing post-secondary studies (university, college, trades, or other recognized post-secondary program); (4) earned the qualifying grades in Grade 10, 11, and/or 12 (specific qualifying-grade thresholds vary by tier — consult the Alberta Student Aid Operational Policy Manual for the active cycle's table). The award is per-grade-level: you earn each grade's portion based on your average for that year, so even if your overall high school average isn't extremely high, you may still earn portions of the scholarship.
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.
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Your school's registrar can take a week or two.
We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's official page will have it.
Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.
We don't have a confirmed deadline for this one. Check the award's official page for this year's date.
No. You need to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person.
FundMyCourse.ca · checked Aug 31, 2026
Tiered Grade 10/11/12; $300-$1,300 per grade; max $2,500 combined for post-2008 graduates
fundmycourse.ca/scholarships/alexander-rutherford-scholarship-for-high-school-achievement-alberta