Anna and John Kolesar Memorial Scholarship

Government of Alberta — Alberta Student Aid

Get $1,500 for being a first-generation student graduating from an Alberta high school and entering a Faculty of Education.

Published by G Paul · last checked September 26, 2026

Total value

$1,500

Deadline

Oct 31, 2026

Level

High school, Undergraduate

Open to

Alberta

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Completed application submitted to Alberta Student Aid
Verified Alberta Student Aid account
Official Alberta Transcript of High School Achievement showing final standings in English 30, 30-1, 30-2 or Français 30-1, 30-2
Official Alberta Transcript of High School Achievement showing final standings in any two of: Applied Mathematics 30, Biology 30, Pure Mathematics 30, Chemistry 30, Mathematics 30-1 or 30-2, Physics 30, Mathematics 31, Social Studies 30, 30-1 or 30-2, Science 30, or a Grade 12 language other than the one used for English

About this award

You can receive a one-time award of $1,500. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are graduating from an Alberta high school this year, neither of your parents earned a university degree, and you are enrolled full-time in a Faculty of Education. 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. Winners are chosen based on academic excellence using the final standings of three specific subjects from your official Alberta Transcript of High School Achievement (the official record of your grades). If there is a tie, the student with the highest average of Diploma Examination marks for those courses wins. Ask Government of Alberta — Alberta Student Aid how many people typically apply so you can judge your odds. The scholarship is issued after Government of Alberta — Alberta Student Aid confirms you are enrolled full-time in a Faculty of Education. Ask them during your application if the money is sent directly to your bank account or applied to your tuition so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — since this is a single award of $1,500, confirm with Government of Alberta — Alberta Student Aid if there are any other opportunities for continuing students.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident of Canada, or a Protected Person if you have refugee or protected-person status in Canada (visa students cannot apply). You must be an Alberta resident, which means one of these must be true: your parent or legal guardian lived in Canada for 12 consecutive months before you started school and lives in Alberta; Alberta is where you lived for 12 consecutive months before starting school; or your spouse or partner is an Alberta resident. You must be graduating from an Alberta high school in the current academic year and come from a family where neither parent obtained a university degree. Finally, you must be enrolled full-time in a program of study at a publicly funded Alberta post-secondary institution within a Faculty of Education.

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.

Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
Open to high school or undergraduate students
Resident of Alberta
Studying Education

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Order your transcript1–2 weeks
Your school's registrar can take a week or two.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

Academic RecordsAvoid submitting unofficial grade printouts. Instead, ensure your official Alberta Transcript of High School Achievement is ready and accurate. Double-check that your English and elective marks are clearly visible.
Account SetupAvoid using your school email address to create your account. Instead, use a personal email address so you do not lose access after you graduate. Set up 2-Step Verification on your Alberta.ca account to keep your data safe.
StrategyAvoid waiting until the end of October to apply. Instead, submit your application as soon as the window opens on August 1. This gives you time to fix any account verification issues with Alberta Student Aid.
RealismAvoid assuming this is a guaranteed award. Instead, remember that selection depends on very specific grade combinations in English and other core subjects. Compare your transcript with the required subject list to see if you match the criteria.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

Applications close on October 31, 2026. Submit a day or two early: application sites get busy at the end.

Can international students apply?

No. You need to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Sep 26, 2026