Charmaine Letourneau Scholarships

Edmonton Community Foundation

Get between $2,000 and $7,000 for your post-secondary studies if you are a Deaf or Hard of Hearing resident of Alberta.

Published by G Paul · last checked October 23, 2026

Total value

$7,000

Deadline

Sep 30, 2027

Level

Post-secondary, Certificate, Undergraduate, Graduate

Open to

Alberta

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Personal letter describing how you meet the award criteria and priorities
Two reference letters from people who have known you for at least six months
An audiogram or other medical documentation of hearing loss
A statement of grades from your most recent studies (unofficial PDFs or scans are acceptable)
For students in upgrading or bridging programs: a statement explaining how the study leads to a post-secondary program or future employment

About this award

Typically 2 students receive awards ranging from $2,000 to $7,000 each year. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a Deaf or Hard of Hearing person from Alberta who uses sign language and needs financial help to afford your education. You must apply by September 30 at 4:30 PM. You will likely hear about the status of your application via email in early November, though decisions are generally released around mid-October. The Awards Panel reviews your documents and selects recipients by the end of October. You might be invited to an interview via Skype, FaceTime, or in person. This interview will be conducted in ASL (American Sign Language — a visual language using hand shapes and facial expressions), though the foundation can arrange an interpreter if your ASL skills are basic. Edmonton Community Foundation usually pays the money directly to your school after they receive an invoice. This money is meant for mandatory costs like tuition and fees. Ask Edmonton Community Foundation during your application if there are any other ways the funds are handled so you can plan your cash flow. You can re-apply in subsequent years, but each application only covers a single school year. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Edmonton Community Foundation what you need to maintain to be eligible again.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be Deaf or Hard of Hearing, and the extent of your hearing loss must be significant. You must be a resident of Alberta and a permanent resident or citizen of Canada. You also need to demonstrate financial need and have some knowledge of sign language, whether you are basic or fluent. You must be pursuing an academic or training program at a qualified post-secondary or vocational school in Alberta. This includes any public university, college, technical institute, or community consortium in Alberta, as well as private colleges accredited to grant degrees or private vocational schools recognized by the Province of Alberta. Your program must lead to a recognized degree (undergraduate, graduate, professional or applied), diploma, certificate or license. Academic upgrading, bridging, or college preparation programs may also be eligible, provided you show how they help you enter a post-secondary program or get a job. Alternatively, your school can be outside Alberta if it specializes in programming for Deaf or Hard of Hearing students. Examples include Gallaudet University (Washington, DC), the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (Rochester, NY), and California State University at Northridge (Northridge, CA). If a necessary program is simply not available within Alberta, you may also be eligible for funding at an out-of-province school. Priority is given to you if you are involved in Deaf and Hard of Hearing organizations, show leadership in your school or community, are diligent in your studies, have a record of regular attendance and punctuality, and are in a program likely to lead to employment or further 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 or permanent resident
Open to post-secondary, certificate, undergraduate or graduate students
Resident of Alberta

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Ask for reference letters2 weeks
Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.
Write your essay
Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

ReferencesAvoid using references who have only known you for a few weeks. Instead, choose two people who have known you for at least six months and can speak specifically to your character and how you meet the award's priorities. Ask them to highlight your diligence and commitment in their letters.
RealismAvoid assuming this will cover all your costs. Instead, remember that this award focuses on mandatory tuition and fees and cannot be used for debts from previous years. Make a list of your total expenses to see what you still need to cover.

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 September 30, 2027. 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 or permanent resident.

Similar awards

Share this award

FundMyCourse.ca · checked Oct 23, 2026