Grace & Good Fortune Bursary for Single Mothers

What you will need

• ✓ An essay explaining your education and career plans, describing your experiences as a single mother, and detailing how a degree supports your goals
• ✓ One letter of reference
• ✓ Proof of residency in Calgary or the surrounding area
• ✓ Proof of enrollment in full or part-time undergraduate studies at a Calgary post-secondary institution

About this award

You can receive one or more awards valued at a minimum of $2,000. As a bursary, this money is yours to keep and does not have to be paid back, though it is applied directly to your tuition. This is for you if you are a single mother managing the financial and emotional demands of raising one or more dependent children while pursuing your education. The June 15, 2026 deadline has passed and this round is closed. Check Calgary Foundation's awards page for the next application window. When you do apply, ask how and when you'll hear back — whether it is by email, phone, or through the application portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Calgary Foundation how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. The money is applied directly to your tuition. Confirm with Calgary Foundation during your application if there are any other specific payment steps you need to take. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Calgary Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be a single mother with one or more dependent children. You must reside in Calgary or the surrounding area and be attending full or part-time undergraduate studies at a Calgary post-secondary institution. You must also demonstrate financial need.

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 undergraduate 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

   This round closed on June 15, 2026

   Check the award's official page for the next round before you prepare anything.

Tips for applying

• EssayAvoid writing a generic academic statement. Instead, share the raw reality of juggling childcare and school, then clearly link your specific career goals to the independence this degree will provide.
• ReferencesAvoid providing a generic character reference. Instead, use a referee who can speak directly to your resilience and ability to manage the heavy demands of motherhood and study simultaneously.
• StrategyFocus your essay on the "why." Don't just list your struggles; explain how achieving a post-secondary education will specifically support your dreams and create a better life for your children.

Questions students ask

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