2005 News Releases
March 23, 2005
High-achieving Alberta students receive financial boost from the province
Edmonton... More than 8,700 Alberta students have been awarded over $16 million in Alexander Rutherford Scholarships in recognition of exceptional academic achievement. Each recipient received a scholarship valued at up to $2,500 to put toward his or her post-secondary education.
In addition, 10 of these students were named Rutherford Scholars and were awarded an additional $1,500 each. This distinction is awarded to students based on superior academic achievement on their diploma examinations, with averages ranging from 97.4 to 99 per cent. The scholarships can be used to pay for study at technical institutes, colleges, universities or for apprenticeship programs.
"These talented and bright young Albertans are to be commended for their commitment to their education and for their outstanding academic achievements," said Advanced Education and Technology Minister Dave Hancock. "The Alexander Rutherford Scholarships are just one way our government is helping to encourage Albertans to advance their education. This scholarship program has done a great job for nearly 25 years, and we're looking to expand it for the future."
The Alexander Rutherford Scholarship for High School Achievement recognizes and rewards exceptional academic achievement at the high school level, and encourages students to continue their studies at the post-secondary level. To be eligible, a student must have achieved a minimum average of 80 per cent in five designated subjects in at least one of Grade 10, 11 and/or 12. The scholarships have a value of $400 for Grade 10, $800 for Grade 11 and $1,300 for Grade 12, to a maximum award value of $2,500. The top 10 students graduating from Grade 12, as determined solely on the basis of Diploma Examination marks, are recognized as "Rutherford Scholars" and each receives a plaque and $1,500 in addition to the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship.
Both scholarships are funded from the Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund, which was established in 1981 through a $100-million endowment from the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund. Since its inception, the fund has awarded more than $300 million to over 190,000 recipients. Bill 1, the Access to the Future Act, proposes to increase the value of this fund by $1 billion over time.
More information about these scholarships and other awards available from Alberta Scholarship Programs is available online at alis.alberta.ca/scholarships. A complete list of scholarship recipients from each town or city is available at www.advancededucation.gov.ab.ca/scholarships/.
