The Alexander Rutherford Scholarship offers eligible Alberta students up to CAD $2,500 based on high school achievement. The 2026–27 application is available. Apply when your final official high school marks are ready and you are enrolled in eligible full-time post-secondary study. You can receive this scholarship only once.
About the scholarship
Alberta Student Aid administers this award to recognise high school academic achievement and encourage further study. The official award page provides the current application route. It is not an essay competition or a scholarship automatically issued by every Alberta university.
| Maximum value | CAD $2,500 |
|---|---|
| Frequency | One lifetime award |
| Assessment | Eligible high school courses and marks |
| Application | Alberta Student Aid online account |
| Payment condition | Confirmed eligible full-time enrolment |
How much can you receive?
For students who graduated on or after April 1, 2008, the following amounts apply to averages in five designated courses at each grade level. Older graduates should use the separate historical tables in the official policy manual.
| Grade | 75.0%–79.9% | 80% or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | $300 | $400 |
| 11 | $500 | $800 |
| 12 | $700 | $1,300 |
English or Français is a required core course in each grade calculation. Marks are not rounded up. You may qualify for one grade without qualifying for all three, so do not assume that failing to reach the maximum makes an application pointless.
Citizenship, residency and study requirements
Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons. Students holding only a study or work permit are excluded. Alberta residency conditions apply both to the period before post-secondary study and to the school grades used for assessment.
Eligible study includes designated undergraduate or apprenticeship routes. Graduate and specified professional programmes are excluded. The policy manual provides the detailed residency, course-load and programme definitions. Ask Student Aid about an unusual study arrangement rather than deciding from a university’s name alone.
What information should you prepare?
The online form requires your valid SIN, Alberta Student Number, high school and post-secondary school information, and study start date. Alberta Student Aid obtains official Alberta marks from Alberta Education. Eligible students with out-of-province high school records must supply the requested official transcript and Scholarship Residency History form.
Create a private checklist before signing in. Match your legal name to your records, verify your institution and programme, and note whether any marks are still being upgraded. Keep sensitive identifiers in the official account rather than sending them to a scholarship blog or public comment section.
How to apply for 2026–27
- Read the current award page and identify the rules for your graduation year.
- Ensure your final transcript includes any completed eligible upgrading.
- Sign in with a verified Alberta.ca Account to access Alberta Student Aid.
- Choose the Alexander Rutherford High School Achievement Scholarship in the application section.
- Complete the requested details, submit and monitor account correspondence.
Because the award is available only once, consider the timing of final marks carefully. If you are unsure whether an upgraded course will count, resolve that question with Student Aid before relying on an estimated total.
Enrolment confirmation and payment
Approval of the academic assessment is followed by confirmation of post-secondary enrolment. Your school may complete that confirmation directly; if additional forms are sent to you, follow their return deadline. The official guidance says a cheque is mailed approximately one month after confirmation.
Keep your mailing address and study information accurate. If you change institutions, postpone study or become part time, contact Student Aid so your application reflects the real enrolment situation.
Related Canadian awards
See the Loran Award, Schulich Leader Scholarships and Rhodes Scholarship guide for other selection routes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an essay?
The Rutherford assessment uses academic and eligibility records, not a competitive personal essay.
Can I receive it each year?
No. The lifetime maximum is one scholarship.
Is $2,500 guaranteed?
No. The amount depends on qualifying grades, courses and eligibility.