Edmonton Community Foundation Hilltop Awards and Bursaries

What you will need

• ✓ One reference letter from a non-family member (maximum of two letters allowed)
• ✓ Statement of Grades from your most recent studies (unofficial PDFs or scans are acceptable)
• ✓ For non-credited learning applicants in the not-for-profit sector: a resume with employment history, education history, and past training instead of grades
• ✓ For students studying outside of Alberta: a written explanation of why you are studying out of province
• ✓ For non-credited learning applicants in the not-for-profit sector: an explanation of how the opportunity will enhance your work within Edmonton's not-for-profit sector

About this award

You can receive a grant between $1,000 and $6,000. On average, 150 students receive these awards each year. As a grant, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a community-minded student from Edmonton or northern Alberta who needs financial help to afford post-secondary education. You must apply by May 15 at 4:30 PM. You will hear back with a decision approximately in early July. No specific notification method is listed, so watch your email or portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Edmonton Community Foundation how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Edmonton Community Foundation 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 Edmonton Community Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be living in the greater Edmonton area or northern Alberta (which means north of Red Deer). You must have been a resident of the greater Edmonton area and/or northern Alberta for at minimum the last six months before you apply. You will be pursuing studies in Alberta or Canada in the upcoming school year. You must show financial need, meaning funding your studies is a challenge due to your financial situation. You also need to show community involvement in a role with responsibilities, such as being a volunteer, an artist, or on a sports team, and you want to use what you learn to improve the greater Edmonton area or northern Alberta. These awards are available for almost all programs at most post-secondary institutions in Canada, including universities, colleges, technical institutes, and some private or vocational schools. Eligible programs include academic upgrading, college preparation, diplomas, certificates, licenses, bachelor's, graduate, and doctoral degrees, as well as professional degrees like law or dental school. There is also a limited amount of support for non-credited learning opportunities (like conferences, workshops, and training programs) for people working in the not-for-profit sector.

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, certificate, undergraduate or graduate 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

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

3. 3

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

4. 4

   Deadline: May 15

   May 15 has already passed this year. The award's official page gives the date without a year, so check there when the next round closes before you prepare anything.

Tips for applying

• Community InvolvementAvoid just listing the organizations where you volunteered. Instead, describe your specific role and the responsibilities you held. Give a concrete example of how your work helped the local community.
• ReferencesAvoid asking a family member to write your letter. Instead, choose a supervisor or mentor who can speak to your character and community impact. Ensure they highlight why you deserve the award.
• StrategyAvoid ignoring the "out of province" explanation if you are studying outside Alberta. Instead, clearly explain why you chose that specific school or program. Show how your education will eventually benefit the Edmonton or northern Alberta region.
• RealismAvoid worrying if your grades aren't perfect. Instead, focus on showing that you have the potential to succeed in your program. Provide a clear, legible scan of your most recent grades to meet the requirement.

Questions students ask

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