Bursaries and Scholarships

Through the generosity of many alumni/ae, faculty, and friends of the College, St. Stephen's is able to offer a variety of Bursaries and Scholarships to students currently enrolled in degree programs at the College.

How to Apply

Applications for bursaries and scholarships can be submitted online by clicking the "Apply for Bursaries and Scholarships" button on this page. Applicants eligible to apply for more than one bursary and/or scholarship only need to fill out one application form, indicating all awards they wish to apply for.

Applications must be submitted by the annual deadline of May 1 (11:59pm). The application process opens each year on February 1.

Students will be contacted or notified of the status of their application, usually by mid-June.

What Bursaries are Available at St. Stephen's College

Order of St. Lazarus: Monsignor William Irwin Bursary in Ecumenical Studies

The Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus: Monsignor William Irwin Bursary in Ecumenical Studies

Amount: One bursary of $600 may be awarded annually

Application Instructions:

Applicants must be students in a degree, diploma, or certificate program of St. Stephen's College. Eligibility is based on: involvement in the College and the wider ecumenical community, demonstrated leadership, and financial need. Applicants submit the online application form, along with a 300-500 word statement indicating their reason for studying theology, their interest in ecumenism, and how their studies and/or vocational goals are in harmony with the aims and goals of The Order of St Lazarus as described in the Terms of Reference of the bursary.

Terms of Reference:

Since its founding in the early twelfth century, The Order of St. Lazarus has had two major aims: the alleviation of suffering, especially those afflicted with disease; and the promotion of ecumenism and unity within the Christian faith. The Order in Canada is a bilingual, multi-denominational Christian, charitable organisation whose goals are to: support and expand palliative care; alleviate the suffering of persons with leprosy; provide care for the aged, sick and needy; support medical research; promote ecumenism; advance national unity and the qualities of good citizenship. The Edmonton Commandery of the Order has extended its understanding of the medical mandate to include support of persons who have HIV/AIDS, and those who care for them. Information about the Order may be found on its website: http://www.stlazarus.ca.

This bursary at St. Stephen's College is named in honour of Monsignor William Irwin, the founder of Catholic Social Services in Edmonton and tireless advocate for the marginalised. Monsignor Irwin was awarded the St. Stephen's College Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) degree in 1995. He was also a long-time member of the Order of St. Lazarus.

Bursaries from this fund will be awarded to students in any formal program of St. Stephen's College. As per the terms of the fund, successful applicants will have a primary interest in ecumenical studies, and they are asked to comment on their educational background and work history, past community service, and their reason for studying theology.

Contributions to this fund will be invested according to the investment policy of the College. The amount of each bursary will be dependent on the total value of the fund and will normally be determined by the College's Board of Governors. Applications for the Monsignor William Irwin Bursary will be administered by the Student Aid Committee.

Dr. Richard (Ric) Laplante Bursary in Doctoral Studies

Dr. Richard (Ric) Laplante Bursary in Doctoral Studies

Amount: One bursary of $350 may be awarded annually

Application Instructions

This bursary is open to students in good standing in the College's Doctor of Ministry Program. Eligibility is based on financial need. Applicants submit the online application form, along with a 300-500 word statement describing how their leadership and gifts, placed in service of others, enhances the life of the wider community in the spirit of Ric Laplante (see Terms of Reference).

Terms of Reference

Dr. Ric Laplante (DMin 1986) dedicated his life to bringing others to a fuller life through education. He was a volunteer member of the Doctor of Ministry Program Committee, and subsequently Coordinator (now 'Chair') of the Program from 1997 until his untimely death in 2003. During that time, he mentored many faculty and students on their journey of ministry. His example continues to animate the College's conviction and practice that gifts placed in the service of others contribute to the memory and life of the larger community.

The Dr. Ric Laplante Bursary was established by his family and friends to honour the memory and work of Dr. Laplante, and the awards are intended to assist students in the Doctor of Ministry Program, from which he himself graduated and to which he dedicated many years of his professional life.

Bursaries from this fund will be awarded on the basis of financial need to students enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry Program of St. Stephen's College.

Contributions to this fund will be invested according to the investment policy of the College. The amount of each bursary will be dependent on the total value of the fund and will normally be determined by the College's Board of Governors. Applications for the Dr. Ric Laplante Bursary will be administered by the Student Aid Committee.

The Whitford Foundation Trust

The Whitford Foundation Trust

The Whitford Foundation Trust

Amount: One bursary of $550 may be awarded annually

Application Instructions

The bursary is open to students in good standing in the College who are enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program and who are being instructed for and intending to enter into the Ministry of the United Church of Canada (see Terms of Reference). Eligibility is based on financial need. Applicants submit the online application form, along with a 300-500 word statement in which the applicant reflects on the St. Stephen's College definition of ministry, particularly with respect to the applicant's own vocational aims.

Terms of Reference

Originally established at Alberta College in 1940, the Whitford Foundation Trust was transferred to St. Stephen's College in 2002. The Trust was established (1940; and, 1983) by the last will and testament of the late John Henry Whitford with the purpose of assisting such needy and deserving person or persons of exceptional ability and promise attending St. Stephen's College and being instructed for and intending to enter into the Ministry of the United Church of Canada.

Bursaries from this fund will be awarded on the basis of financial need to students in good standing in the College who are enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program and who are being instructed for and intending to enter into the Ministry of the United Church of Canada.

Contributions to this fund will be invested according to the investment policy of the College. By direction of the donor, bursaries will be paid out of the income generated from this fund. The amount of each bursary will be dependent on the total value of the fund and will normally be determined by the College Board of Governors.

Bursaries are based on satisfactory academic achievement and demonstrated financial need. They are a financial gift for tuition to a student enrolled in a St. Stephen's College degree, diploma, or certificate program who is facing financial constraints. Applications for bursaries require documented proof of financial hardship (income and expense statements), and are normally awarded only once.

What Scholarships are Available at St. Stephen's College

Archbishop Joseph N. MacNeil Scholarship

Archbishop Joseph N. MacNeil Scholarship

Amount: One scholarship of $200 may be awarded annually

Application Instructions

Applicants must be a student in good standing in a degree, diploma, or certificate program of St. Stephen's College. Eligibility is based on: academic achievement, involvement in the ecumenical and/or interfaith community, qualities of leadership, and financial need. Applicants submit the on-line application form, along with a 300-500 word statement that describes how they provide leadership in and beyond the College community in the spirit of Archbishop MacNeil (see Terms of Reference).

Terms of Reference

Father Joseph MacNeil was ordained bishop 24 June 1969 and worked in St. John, New Brunswick until he was appointed Roman Catholic Archbishop of Edmonton in July 1973. Under his leadership the Archdiocese of Edmonton was structured to make it more responsive to the needs of the day through the establishment of various councils and commissions, including: social justice, parish renewal, a council of women religious, the "Sign of Hope" annual campaign in support of social services, Canada's first urban Aboriginal parish, and the Alberta Catholic Health Corporation. Archbishop MacNeil was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) by the College in 1999 for his many contributions to church and society.

Scholarships from this fund will be awarded to students enrolled in any formal program of St. Stephen's College on the basis of academic merit, involvement in the ecumenical and/or interfaith community, qualities of leadership, and financial need.

Contributions to this fund will be invested according to the investment policy of the College. The amount of each scholarship will be dependent on the total value of the fund and will normally be determined by the College Board of Governors.

The Revd J.J. Towers Scholarship

The Revd J.J. Towers Scholarship

Amount: One scholarship of $500 may be awarded annually

Application Instructions

Applicant must be a student in good standing in a degree, diploma, or certificate program of St. Stephen's College. Eligibility is based on: academic achievement, leadership in the Christian Church (locally or broadly), and financial need. Applicants will submit the online application form, along with a 300-500 word statement describing how they provide leadership in the Christian community in the spirit of Revd. J.J. Towers (see Terms of Reference).

Terms of Reference

This scholarship fund was established by the family of The Revd Dr Jack Towers in memory of their husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Subsequent contributions to the fund have been made by Jack's many friends.

Jack was a graduate of St. Stephen's (Testamur 1951, BD Honours 1973, DD 1997) and firmly believed in the value of education. An ordained minister of The United Church of Canada, Jack served in various capacities, including ministry to congregations in Alberta and Saskatchewan, leadership with the national "Ventures in Mission" capital campaign, and on the United Church's mission boat, the "Thomas Crosby IV" along the west coast of British Columbia. In addition to the many other ways in which he supported the College, he was instrumental in fundraising for the stained glass "Legacy Window" surrounding the north entrance doors of the College building.

Contributions to this fund will be invested according to the investment policy of the College. By direction of the donors, one scholarship of $500 will be awarded from the fund annually until and if the principal amount is depleted.

St. Stephen's College Travel Scholarship

St. Stephen's College Travel Scholarship

Amount: One scholarship of $150 may be awarded annually

Application Instructions

This scholarship is open to students in good standing in the College who are enrolled in any degree, diploma, or certificate program. Eligibility is based on: academic achievement and demonstrable need of travel for either of the following purposes: (a) to study at the College, or (b) to attend a conference related to one's studies. Applicants submit the online application form, along with a 300-500 word statement describing the educational and/or professional goals they seek to accomplish by traveling either to the College or to a conference. The scholarship will be disbursed upon receipt of travel receipts and proof of course/conference registration.

Terms of Reference

The St. Stephen's College Travel Scholarship is designed to aid students who travel from outside the Greater Edmonton Area to study at the College, or to support student travel to attend a conference that furthers their studies (e.g., the annual meetings of the CCPA, CATA, Congress, AAR/SBL, or the like). This scholarship is supported by the "Scholarships and Bursaries General Fund" of St. Stephen's College and furthers the spirit of the funds held in the name of Dr. J.M. Miller and to a lesser extent the Marion Wood and Anne Welbourn fund, both of which historically helped fund student travel for the purposes of study.

The Scholarship will be awarded to students in any formal program of St. Stephen's College on the basis of academic achievement and demonstrable need of travel for either of the following purposes: (a) to study at the College, or (b) to attend a conference related to one's studies.

A portion of the General Fund's total value is allocated to this scholarship, with the annual award amount being calculated based on that allotment (as determined by the College's Board of Governors). Contributions to the Scholarships and Bursaries General Fund will be invested according to the investment policy of the College.

St. Stephen's College Theological Studies Scholarship

St. Stephen's College Theological Studies Scholarship

Amount: One scholarship of $250 may be awarded annually.

Application Instructions

This scholarship is open to students in good standing in the College who are enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program within the Department of Theology. Eligibility is based on: academic achievement and leadership in one's field of ministry practice. Applicants will submit the online application form, along with a 300-500 word statement describing how their academic work either deepens their ministry practice and/or contributes to broader ecumenical/interfaith conversations.

Terms of Reference

The St. Stephen's College Theological Studies Scholarship aids students who are studying in any degree, diploma, or certificate program within the Department of Theology. This scholarship is supported by the "Scholarships and Bursaries General Fund" of St. Stephen's College and furthers the spirit of the funds held in the names of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Mrs. R.K. Peck, and James and Annie Harrison, as well as those in the name of Lawrence Moore, W.H. Vandermeer, Aubrey and Mary Tuttle, George Holbrook, S.W. Dyde, and Marion E. Wood and Anne Welbourn.

The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic achievement and leadership in one's field of ministry practice. Students are asked to comment specifically on how their academic work deepens their ministry practice and/or contributes to broader ecumenical/interfaith conversations.

A portion of the General Fund's total value is allocated to this scholarship, with the annual award amount being calculated based on that allotment (as determined by the College's Board of Governors). Contributions to the Scholarships and Bursaries General Fund will be invested according to the investment policy of the College.

St. Stephen's College Psychotherapy and Spirituality Scholarship

St. Stephen's College Psychotherapy and Spirituality Scholarship

Amount: Two scholarship of $500 may be awarded annually

Application Instructions

This scholarship is open to students in good standing in the College who are enrolled a degree, diploma, or certificate program within the Department of Psychotherapy and Spirituality. Eligibility is based on: academic achievement and leadership and contribution to the profession (realised or potential). Applicants will submit the online application form, along with a 300-500 word statement describing how their academic work contributes to broader conversations about the intersection of therapeutic care, spirituality, and (if in the Art Therapy program) artistic expression.

Terms of Reference:

The St. Stephen's College Psychotherapy and Spirituality Scholarship aids students who are studying in any degree, diploma, or certificate program within the Department of Psychotherapy and Spirituality. This includes students in both the core Counselling and Art Therapy streams. The scholarship is supported by the "Scholarships and Bursaries General Fund" of St. Stephen's College and furthers the spirit of the funds held in the names of George Holbrook, Marion E. Wood and Anne Welbourn, Lawrence Moore, W.H. Vandermeer, John L. Wright, Aubrey and Mary Tuttle, K.M. Gordon, E. Ethel Mythaler, and S.W. Dyde.

The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic achievement and leadership and contribution to the profession (realised or potential). Students are asked to comment specifically on how their academic work contributes to the intersection of therapeutic care, spirituality, and (if in the Art Therapy program) artistic expression.

A portion of the General Fund's total value is allocated to this scholarship, with the annual award amount being calculated based on that allotment (as determined by the College's Board of Governors). Contributions to the Scholarships and Bursaries General Fund will be invested according to the investment policy of the College.

Scholarships are awards given based on exemplary academic performance in the course of studying for a degree program. Whether funded by the College or by external donors, scholarships are awarded by the College and are outright gifts for the student to use at their discretion, unless otherwise stipulated.

Selection and Eligibility

Standard criteria have been established for scholarships and bursaries to ensure fair and equitable selection. Unless the award details state otherwise, selection is based first on the standard criteria, then secondary requirements. Unless otherwise stated, awards are available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents and international students who are enrolled as either a part-time or full-time student.

Standard criteria for Bursaries include:

  • Enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program for the academic year
  • Active status (that is, students who are not currently taking a Leave of Absence and whose tuition account is up to date)
  • Maintained a minimum GPA of 70%
  • Demonstrated financial need

Standard criteria for Scholarships include:

  • Enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program for the academic year
  • Active status (that is, students who are not currently taking a Leave of Absence and whose tuition account is up to date)
  • Selection based on GPA

Other Bursary and Scholarship Information

Award Values
The College assumes liability for payment of awards only to the extent that expected gifts from donors or returns of endowed funds are realized. The college reserves the right to make whatever changes such circumstances may require, including changing the value of the award, cancelling an award, or adding awards. Every effort is made to display the most accurate estimate of the award value. In addition, to ensure fair and equitable distribution, the College reserves the right to limit the number of awards one student shall receive from the SSC Bursary and Scholarship program.
Payment of Awards

All Bursaries and Scholarships will be distributed by June 30 of the current calendar year.

Bursaries are administered through the Registrar's Office and will be applied as a credit to the student's SSC account.

Scholarships are administered through the Registrar's Office and a cheque will be forwarded to the student's address on their application.

Student Loans, Taxes, and Awards
Merit-based awards are not considered on your Alberta Student Finance loan assessment. However, all award funds must be reported on your federal tax return. All award recipients must provide the Registrar's Office with their Social Insurance Number prior to any funds being released.
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