Scholarships and Bursaries

Lana Spencer
Executive Assistant

At least one Rugged & Real post-secondary scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00 is awarded each year. With a view to supporting local students to advance studies and pursue higher education opportunities, the Rugged & Real Post-Secondary Scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving student attending a post-secondary institution whose permanent residence is within the MD.

Current seasonal or student staff of the MD are qualified to apply for this scholarship, regardless of residence. Mature students are also encouraged to apply.

The application process differs slightly each year. For the 2020 scholarship, applicant submissions were in the form of a a written submission or a short video/audio segment. Applications are now closed for 2020. Check back in January 2021 for updated application information. When the scholarship opens, you'll see the application form in the box below.

Rachel Johnston took home the 2020 Rugged & Real Scholarship. Rachel will continue working as a Landscape Technician for the MD until she starts her first year of post-secondary studies in the faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary this fall. We wish Rachel the very best in her studies!

Alberta Health Services (AHS) & the Northern Alberta Development Council (NADC) are proud to offer this unique bursary opportunity. AHS and the NADC match between $1,000 and $3,000 per student up to a total of $6,000 per year for each recipient in exchange for a return of service within northern Alberta.

To learn more, visit the Joint Bursary Partnership Program website.

Applications are now closed for 2020. Check back in August 2021 for updated application information.

The NADC Bursary is a return service bursary of $6,000 per year for a maximum of two years, and is offered to students in their final two years of post-secondary studies. It is meant to encourage students to train for jobs that are in demand in northern Alberta.

To learn more, visit the NADC Bursary Program website.

Applications are now closed for 2020. Check back in January 2021 for updated application information.

Recognizing the importance of an educated population to the future well-being of rural communities, the RMA Scholarship Program is designed to encourage young rural Albertans to pursue further education, and thereby enhance the ability of these young people to make meaningful contributions to their communities in subsequent years. RMA provides funding assistance to five rural students each year (one student in each of the five RMA geographic districts).

To learn more, visit the RMA Scholarship website.

Applications are now closed for 2020. Check back in January 2021 for updated application information.

Launched in 2020, the Community Assistance Board (CAB) grant is available to not-for-profit community organizations in an effort to enhance social programming, community events and facilities, as well as other amenities located within the municipality. The program will have four intakes during the year (January, April, July and September) and applications will be evaluated on the project’s alignment to the MD’s community values.

How are funds allocated?

A Council-appointed Community Assistance Board will meet four times per year (February, May, August and November) to review, prioritize and allocate funds towards community opportunities, initiatives and programming.

Who will be eligible for funding?

All not-for-profit societies, community groups, clubs and individuals that offer a direct benefit to the citizens of the MD, and that align with the region’s community values (some of which include fellowship, generosity, compassion and volunteerism) will be eligible to receive community assistance funding.

Who will not be eligible for funding?

Religious entities, registered charities and for-profit organizations will not qualify for community funding through this new application process.