MacDonnell Leadership Award

What you will need

• ✓ Canadian residency
• ✓ Leadership qualities
• ✓ Enrollment in a full-time undergraduate program as a 1st-year student

About this award

You can receive a total of $20,000, which is paid as $5,000 per year and is renewable for 4 years. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a female leader who has a strong academic record and needs financial support to pursue your degree. The next application deadline is March 1, 2028. Because this award is only offered every 4 years, you should check with St. Francis Xavier University to confirm when you will hear back about your application status. Selection criteria aren't published — ask St. Francis Xavier University how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask St. Francis Xavier University 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 St. Francis Xavier University what you need to maintain to keep the $5,000 annual payment.

Who qualifies

You must be a female student entering your 1st-year of full-time undergraduate studies. You must be a Canadian resident with a minimum 85% average and be able to demonstrate both financial need and leadership qualities. A preference is given to students graduating from Dalbrae Academy.

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 high school 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

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• LeadershipAvoid just listing the titles of the clubs you joined. Instead, describe one specific time your leadership led to a real result for others. Give a concrete example of a project you managed.
• SupportAvoid using a generic character reference. Instead, ask a teacher or community leader who has seen your leadership in action to write your letter. Ensure they mention your specific contributions.
• RealismAvoid assuming the preference for Dalbrae Academy graduates excludes others. Instead, focus on proving your 85% average and leadership impact to make your application stand out.

Questions students ask

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