CFUW Dr. Alice E. Wilson Awards

What you will need

• ✓ The application form and documents listed on the CFUW Charitable Trust's application page (this award's page lists only past winners)

About this award

You can receive a $5,000 award. There are four awards available in total: two for students at the master's level and two for those in doctoral level study. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a mature learner who has stepped away from academia and is now returning to pursue advanced degrees. No deadline is posted publicly — before you start the application, check CFUW Charitable Trust (Canadian Federation of University Women)'s program page or call their office to confirm when applications open and close this year. Selection criteria aren't published — ask CFUW Charitable Trust (Canadian Federation of University Women) how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask CFUW Charitable Trust (Canadian Federation of University Women) 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 CFUW Charitable Trust (Canadian Federation of University Women) whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be a mature student returning to graduate studies in any field of study. To qualify, you must have been away from your studies for at least three years.

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 graduate students

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

   Check this year's deadline

   We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's official page will have it.

Tips for applying

• Personal StatementAvoid simply listing your previous degrees and the dates you earned them. Instead, explain why you chose to return to graduate school after your break and how that time away informs your current research. Describe the specific spark that brought you back to academia.
• SupportAvoid providing references who only know you in a social capacity. Instead, choose referees who can speak to your readiness for the rigours of a master's or doctoral program after a long hiatus. Ensure your referees can vouch for your academic potential.
• StrategyAvoid focusing only on your future goals. Instead, connect your past professional or personal experiences—such as parenting, military service, or healthcare work—to your current research objectives. Show how your lived experience makes you a stronger researcher.
• RealismAvoid assuming this is a guaranteed fund based on your age alone. Instead, remember that only four awards were given in 2025-2026, across two degree levels. Treat this as a competitive supplement to your primary funding plan.

Questions students ask

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