John and Ann Scheer Memorial Award

What you will need

• ✓ Proof of graduation from a Wheatland County high school (Strathmore High School, Holy Cross Collegiate, Strathmore Storefront School, Golden Hills Learning Academy, or Wheatland Crossing School)
• ✓ Proof of enrollment in a first-year undergraduate certificate, diploma, or degree program at a Canadian post-secondary institution
• ✓ A personal statement or evidence demonstrating personal perseverance

About this award

You can receive a one-time award of $1,000. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a student from the Wheatland community who has faced personal challenges with perseverance and has dedicated your time to helping others through long-term volunteer work. You must apply by June 1, 2026. When you apply, ask Calgary Foundation how and when you will hear back — whether it is by email, phone, or through their 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 this is handled as a direct payment to your school or if there are other steps you need to take. Renewal conditions aren't listed — since this is a single award for students entering their first year, confirm with Calgary Foundation if there are any opportunities to apply again in future years.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be graduating Grade 12 this year from a Wheatland County high school, specifically Strathmore High School, Holy Cross Collegiate, Strathmore Storefront School, Golden Hills Learning Academy, or Wheatland Crossing School. You must be enrolled in your first year of an undergraduate certificate, diploma, or degree program in any field of study at a Canadian post-secondary institution. Additionally, you must show evidence of personal perseverance in your life and a commitment to your community through long-term volunteerism.

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 certificate, high school or 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

   Write your essay

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

3. 3

   This round closed on June 1, 2026

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

Tips for applying

• Community LeadershipAvoid listing a few random events you helped with. Instead, show a deep connection to your community through long-term volunteerism. List your roles and the specific impact you had over several months or years.
• SupportAvoid providing a generic character reference. Instead, secure letters from community leaders who can personally vouch for your perseverance and reliability in challenging situations.
• StrategyAvoid focusing only on grades. Since this award prioritizes perseverance and service, spend more time describing the obstacles you overcame and how you served Wheatland County than talking about your GPA.
• RealismAvoid assuming a high school diploma is enough. Because there is only one award available, you need to prove you fit the specific identity of a resilient, community-minded leader from Wheatland County to stand out.

Questions students ask

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