This support may be offered as a scholarship, a bursary, or a prize, and it is common for students to receive a blended award package that combines these different types of aid.
Community Supports & Resources
Different ways to fund your academic future.
Are you leaving free money on the table? Millions of dollars in scholarships and bursaries go unclaimed each year. Many of these awards are based on factors like personal interests, community involvement or heritage—not just high grades.
But you won’t land the money if you don’t apply.
Many Ways to Augment Your Academic Funding
Beyond the Tuition Assistance Bursary, many other regional, provincial, and federal programs can help lower tuition and related costs. Our partner post-secondary institutions also offer awards and incentives to students who qualify.
Ready to fund your future? Explore the links below to discover all the options available to you.
Supports From TAB-Affiliated Post-Secondary Institutions
Post-secondary institutions are committed to helping students succeed by offering a diverse range of financial awards. These awards recognize that a student's potential isn't measured by grades alone. While academic achievement is a common criterion, many awards are also based on demonstrated financial need, meaningful community involvement, proven leadership skills, or dedicated participation in extracurricular activities.
Student Awards
Every year, Northern Lakes College distributes thousands of dollars in student awards to deserving students.Administrators can help you take advantage of these awards and other funding opportunities. Connect with Niorthern Lakes College for help and information on student loans, grants, awards, and other external sources.
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Difference Between Scholarships, Bursaries and Prizes
A scholarship is an award given in recognition of academic excellence or achievement.A bursary is a cash award that is based on financial need. There may be also be additional requirements, such as community involvement or leadership; the criteria will outline what is required.
A prize is an award based on a specific outstanding accomplishment or achievement. This award may be cash, a plaque, a book, a medal or a gift.
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Olds College Awards
Each year, Olds College students have access to 475 scholarships, bursaries and prizes valued at more than $580,000. These opportunities are made possible thanks to the generosity of Olds College donors, partners and alumni.Tell me more »
External Scholarship Opportunities
These “external” scholarship opportunities are open to any post-secondary students (not just Olds College students). After reviewing the eligibility requirements, if you think you qualify, apply directly to the scholarship provider.External awards are available from many sources and have a variety of criteria and deadlines.
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Athletics Awards & Scholarships
Current and prospective Red Deer Polytechnic student-athletes may be eligible for athletic awards and scholarships. Connect with the Red Deer Polytechnic team’s head coach to discuss your athletic award eligibility.Tell me more »
Building on Excellence Academic Award
Who said there is no such thing as free money? If you are a current high school student planning to attend a credit program at Red Deer Polytechnic next fall, with an average of 80% or higher in five 5-credit grade 11 or grade 12 subjects, you could get $1,000 awards towards your tuition. It’s easy to apply!There are limited scholarships to be awarded. Be sure to apply early.
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Current Students
Current student award and scholarship opportunities are found in MyRDP. Log in to your MyRDP account and navigate to the Awards and Scholarships section to view all opportunities currently accepting applications.Red Deer Polytechnic has various awards running throughout the year. Be sure to check your MyRDP Awards and Scholarships page often to ensure you're taking advantage of the amazing opportunities offered year-round.
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General Awards Application
Red Deer Polytechnic's general awards application opens in March each academic year.Tell me more »
Rural Learner Support Grant
Are you a Red Deer Polytechnic Student planning to attend a regional campus in Rocky Mountain House, Stettler, Ponoka, Sundre or Drumheller? If so, you may be eligible to receive the Rural Learner Support Grant. This Grant is intended to offset the financial burdens you may face. Preference will be given to students enrolled in either the Practical Nurse Diploma or Health Care Aide Certificate programs.Tell me more »
Bursaries & Emergency Funding
The Office of the Registrar offers various forms of financial support designed to assist students experiencing financial shortfall for the current school year's academic and basic living costs or a temporary unexpected financial emergency during the academic year.Tell me more »
Domestic Supplementary Bursary
The Domestic Supplementary Bursary program provides funds for domestic undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate a financial shortfall for the current school year's academic and basic living costs. Bursaries, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. To be eligible for bursary funding, you must be able to demonstrate financial need for the current academic year after exhausting all available funding resources and meeting the academic and enrolment requirements.Tell me more »
Indigenous Student Financial Support
Over $3.3 million in scholarships and awards specific to Indigenous learners are available. Applications are now open.Tell me more »
Entrance Awards
The University of Calgary values its high-achieving entering students. Its Prestige and High School awards are for those students. The criteria for these awards vary, but always include not only academic excellence but also accomplishments outside the classroom.Tell me more »
Financial Need-Based Awards
Financial need-based awards and bursaries are available for undergraduate, professional faculty and graduate students with financial need.Tell me more »
Graduating Awards and Honours
Convocation awards are prestigious awards presented to graduating students. These awards reflect the highest academic distinction earned by a student in a faculty or program. Many are presented at the convocation ceremonies in June and November.Tell me more »
Indigenous Awards
The university acknowledges and respects the rich diversity of its learners, their communities, their aspirations, and their cultures and traditions. With this in mind, the university provides scholarships, awards and bursaries to Canadian Indigenous students.Tell me more »
Please note that links to, and information about, the post-secondary supports listed on this page are managed by their respective institutions and are not under the control of TAB program administrators or the Town of Drayton Valley.
Provincial and Federal Tuition Assistance Programs & Resources
The Canada Student Financial Assistance Program offers grants and loans to full-time and part-time students to help pay for their post-secondary education.
The Government of Canada works with most provincial or territorial governments to offer student grants and loans. The provinces and territories determine which schools, and which programs within a school, can be designated for funding. In all situations, you apply with the province or territory that you live in. The amount you can receive is calculated when you apply.
Canada Student Loan Forgiveness for Family Doctors and Nurses
You can apply for Canada Student Loan forgiveness while you are in study. You can also apply if you are in repayment or in your 6 month non-repayment period.To be eligible for loan forgiveness you must have been employed for a full year and provided in-person services for a minimum of 400 hours in an eligible community (does not apply to residents in family medicine). You must also
have a Canada Student Loan that is in good standing (if in repayment, you must be up to date on your payments).
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Grants and Funding for Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship
Grants, loans, and funding programs to help apprentices, employers, unions, and other organizations participate in apprenticeships. Grants and program funding are provided through the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy.Tell me more »
Academic Upgrading & Adult Education
Foundational Learning Assistance is a student financial assistance program that provides opportunities for unemployed or underemployed Albertans to prepare for further education or develop skills for in-demand jobs within the labour market. Specifically, these programs can help you: increase your English language skills; complete academic upgrading and/or adult basic education for post-secondary pre-requisites; or gain in-demand skills to find employment.Foundational Learning Assistance can include a monthly financial award, calculated based on household financial need, to help you pay for educational costs such as tuition, mandatory fees, student association fees, and books and supplies.
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Health Care Aide Bursary
Alberta Health, in partnership with Alberta Health Services, has launched a health care aide tuition bursary program to assist individuals starting their health care aide careers. $12.8 million dollars of bursary funds are available for current HCA students, HCA graduates and employers who meet the eligibility criteria. This initiative also aims to align identified Continuing Care (CC) operators with health care aide graduates to address the current workforce needs in continuing care operators across the province.Tell me more »
Please note that links to, and information about, the post-secondary supports listed on this page are managed by their respective institutions and are not under the control of TAB program administrators or the Town of Drayton Valley.
Regional Tuition Assistance Programs & Resources
Community-level tuition assistance programs offer financial aid and support for students pursuing education and skills development. These programs can be accessed through various organizations in Drayton Valley and throughout Brazeau County.
This support may be offered as a scholarship, a bursary, or a prize, and it is common for students to receive a blended award package that combines these different types of aid.
Medical Student Awards
The RhPAP Rural Medical Student Award provides a one-time contribution of $5,000 to assist with the student’s tuition, accommodation, living, and/or professional development expenses. The Award is available to a maximum of four students per year, to be applied to the following year of their medical degree. Up to two Awards per Alberta medical school per year will be granted.Tell me more »
Bursary for Internationally Educated Nurses (BIEN)
The Bursary for Internationally Educated Nurses (BIEN) provides funding to internationally educated nurses as they complete bridging training required to practise as a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse, in exchange for a period of time spent working in rural Alberta.Tell me more »
Community Learning Fund
Sometimes you just need a little help to get where you are going. In addition to the personalized support and mentoring we provide all of our learners, for any of our Foundational Learning programs in Adult Literacy, Numeracy, Digital Skills, ESL and Foundational Life Skills, we have access to an in-house fund for adults who are struggling financially and cannot afford the cost of learning with us. If you need these foundational programs to live and work but cannot afford the fees, please talk to one of our staff to inquire about having the fees reduced or waived (subject to approval). The process is confidential and without judgement.Tell me more »
Drayton Valley Community Foundation
DVCF offers a wide range of Scholarships and Bursaries to get you there. Our community is built on leaders who strive to do better, who wish others to reach their full potential too.The scholarship and bursary process is most successful when you find the option that best suits your education path. If you are unsure, do not hesitate to call 587-464-0400 or email ed@dvcf.org for help.
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Drayton Valley FCSS
FCSS endeavours to enhance the well-being and resiliency of the community of Drayton Valley & District by providing information, education and funding for organizations who provide preventative services. By coordinating, networking and partnering with local service agencies, Drayton Valley and District FCSS helps people to develop independence and resistance to crisis while creating an awareness of social needs and providing tools and resources to build a strong community.Tell me more »
Otimemisiwak Métis Scholarship
Each year, Métis Nation of Alberta provides scholarships to reward outstanding academic achievement. Scholarships are open to Métis students pursuing post-secondary education. Scholarship recipients receive both monetary reward and recognition during the November Métis Week celebration.Tell me more »
Rotary Club Scholarship
The Rotary Club's Scholarships Subcommittee works with the District Rotary Foundation Committee to determine the amount of district-designated funds (DDF) allocated for educational programs.Tell me more »
Rupertsland Institute Post-Secondary Education Funding
Rupertsland Institute (RLI) provides post-secondary financial aid to Métis students to reduce the overall cost of education and the financial burden it can have. Rupertsland Institute seeks to increase the number of Métis students who successfully complete post-secondary studies and to bring parity between Métis post-secondary participation to that of other Albertans.The Rupertsland Institute Post-Secondary Education (PSE) program is made possible by a funding agreement between the Government of Canada and the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA).
Post-Secondary Education funding will be available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Tell me more »
Please note that links to, and information about, the post-secondary supports listed on this page are managed by their respective institutions and are not under the control of TAB program administrators or the Town of Drayton Valley.
" The TAB program helps remove barriers when it comes to tuition for post-secondary education. What's more, local learners can stay here in the community while they pursue a degree from urban-based institutions."
Nancy DoddsMayor, Town of Drayton Valley" It makes sense for Pembina to partner with the town on the TAB program. It allows our youth to stay right here within the community to get the training that they need. I know if I had had that sort of opportunity, it would've been valuable for me."
Mike KarachSupervisor, Drayton Valley Area, Pembina Pipeline Corporation" The industry advantage of the TAB program is that they have a skilled local labour pool to draw upon. This means they don’t have to look elsewhere to bring good people on board. We're relying on the folks we have here and the skills they bring to the table."
Colin ClarkeCouncillor, Town of Drayton Valley" A TAB candidate could be a single mom, or maybe a dad with a job who’s also taking care of his family. Our program helps alleviate financial hardship for these prospective post-secondary students. They can improve their skillsets to achieve their dream career."
Amilla GammanaCouncillor, Town of Drayton Valley" We've hired a number of healthcare aides thanks to the TAB program. Seven or eight of our healthcare aides have gone through the program and become certified, and we currently have more in the program right now. It really speaks to the success of the program because it's making our team stronger and allowing us to provide the best care."
Emily NicholsHealth and Wellness Manager, Seasons Retirement Community"I was a stay-at-home mom for 27 years and ended up having to go back to work. Without the TAB program, I wouldn't be where I am right now. There was a point where I was going to have to move out of Drayton Valley. I couldn't afford to be where I was. When I found out about this program, my whole world changed."
Tobi SiwiskiHealth Care Aide, Seasons Retirement Community"There's a variety of different training opportunities and educational opportunities that the TAB program could cultivate locally. Everything from trades to technologies to business administration. Having seen some growth within the program, it makes sense now that this is our opportunity to get on board"
Mike KarachSupervisor, Drayton Valley Area, Pembina Pipeline Corporation"We want to see this program grow and to support our local students in achieving their post-secondary goals. Offering these opportunities in Drayton Valley will support our entire community and local industry."
Nancy DoddsMayor, Town of Drayton ValleyTake Advantage of TAB
Grab your gifted tuition, get your education on track, and grow the career you deserve.
I was a stay-at-home mom for 27 years and ended up having to go back to work. Without the TAB program, I wouldn't be where I am now. There was a point where I was going to have to move out of Drayton Valley.
When I found out about this program, my whole world changed."
Tobi Siwiski
Health Care Aide
Seasons Retirement Community
The TAB program facilitates local post-secondary learning opportunities for residents of the Town of Drayton Valley and the Brazeau County region. Administrators reserve the right to periodically review and update the program and its funding criteria. Operation of the TAB program is subject to the availability of funding.
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