Jim Stirling Scholarship

What you will need

• ✓ Completed award application form, with two letters of reference (a personal letter is optional)
• ✓ Completed academic reference form, filled in by your school counsellor or principal, with your official transcript of marks

About this award

You can receive a $2,000.00 scholarship. This is a grant, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a male or female student athlete who balances strong hockey skills with a commitment to volunteering in your community. You must apply by April 15, 2026. Hockey Nova Scotia will only contact you if you are selected as a winner. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Hockey Nova Scotia how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Hockey Nova Scotia 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 Hockey Nova Scotia whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be a male or female student athlete entering a program of study at a technical school, college, or university in Canada. You need to have an acceptable academic standing and a record of community volunteer service. Additionally, you must show a high level of hockey skill through your participation in hockey registered with Hockey Nova Scotia.

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 students
• ✓ Resident of Nova Scotia

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

   Order your transcript1–2 weeks

   Your school's registrar can take a week or two.

3. 3

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

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

4. 4

   This round closed on April 15, 2026

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

Tips for applying

• Community LeadershipAvoid just listing the organizations where you volunteered. Instead, describe the specific impact your service had on others. Write about one project where your help made a visible difference.
• ReferencesAvoid having your referee write a generic letter of support. Instead, ask them to provide specific examples of your academic discipline and character. Give your referee a list of the award's requirements before they write.
• StrategyAvoid sending a last-minute application. Instead, prepare your academic reference form early so your school counsellor or principal has plenty of time to complete it. Submit your package well before the April 15 deadline.
• RealismAvoid assuming that high hockey skill alone will win you the award. Instead, remember that you must meet the academic and volunteer requirements to be considered. Ensure every part of your application is complete.

Questions students ask

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