This prestigious scholarship is an initiative by Alberta Student Aid to recognize and reward academic achievement of senior high school students and encourage them to pursue post-secondary studies.
This scholarship was named in honour of Alexander Rutherford, who had the distinction of being Alberta’s first Premier and Minister of Education. He was known for his strong support of public education, particularly the University of Alberta and his active involvement in community affairs.
Table of Content
Summary
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Benefits
Up to $2,500
Requirements
To receive this scholarship, you must also meet all of these eligibility criteria:
- be a Canadian Citizen, a Permanent Resident of Canada or Protected Person under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, (Visa students are not eligible).
- be an Alberta resident, and to be considered an Alberta resident the following conditions must apply:
- one parent or legal guardian must have maintained permanent residence in Canada for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the applicant commencing a program of study; and be a resident of Alberta on the start date of the applicant’s program of study; OR
- applicant has maintained permanent residence in Alberta at least 12-months prior to commencing a program of study.
- applicants are not eligible to receive a scholarship with respect to any grade unless they or their parent(s)/legal guardian were a resident in Alberta throughout the whole of that grade.
- have completed high school on or after September 30, 1980.
- be enrolled in a full course load in a designated undergraduate post-secondary or an apprenticeship program of at least one semester in length.
Note: Graduate level studies and professional programs (e.g. medicine, veterinary medicine, optometry, etc.) are not eligible for this scholarship.
You may only be awarded the Alexander Rutherford scholarship once.
Selection Process
You will be notified in writing of the results of your assessment once Student Aid confirms your grades/marks on your final official high school transcript. If you are eligible, Student Aid will send a request to your post-secondary school, asking them to confirm your current enrolment:
- Apply before start of post-secondary studies
A Confirmation of Enrolment request is sent to your school by the end of your first month of study.
- Apply during/after post-secondary studies
A Confirmation of Enrolment request is sent to your school one month after your application is approved.
Once your school receives the request for Confirmation of Enrolment, they have 30 days to respond.
If the confirmation is not received within 30 days, Student Aid will send you a Confirmation of Enrolment form. You will take the form directly to your school for them to complete. The form sent to you must be completed and submitted to Student Aid within 30 days from the date you receive it.
Student Aid will mail a cheque to you approximately one month after your school confirms your enrolment.
Application Documents
Personal Information
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Your SIN will be validated with the Government of Canada before your application is reviewed
- Alberta Student Number (ASN)
- Your ASN can be found on your Alberta Transcript of High School Achievement
- If you do not have an ASN, you can request one:
School Information
- Post-secondary school you are going to attend
- Start date
- High school you attended
Check also:
Free Ongoing Fully Funded Scholarships Guide 2026 (Download Now)
Application Deadline
Not SpecifiedHow To Apply
Step 1: Student Aid recommends you apply when:
- You will attend full-time post-secondary studies between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026.
Note: You must be currently enrolled in full-time undergraduate studies to be eligible to receive this scholarship.
- Your official high school transcripts are available.
- You have completed any high school upgrading credit courses you are taking - because you can only apply once, and you will want to submit your highest marks.
Note: Your high school upgrading credit courses must appear on an official Alberta High School Transcript of Achievement.
AND
- You have completed high school on or after September 30, 1980.
Helpful Tip! High school transcript mark requirements will vary. See details below.
Step 2: Login to your Alberta Student Aid account and choose the Alexander Rutherford High School Achievement Scholarship in the Apply section.
For more details, visit Alberta Student Aid Scholarship webpage
