Brought to you by Credit Unions of Alberta and Alberta Central, the central banking facility and trade association for Alberta’s credit unions.
Future Leader of Alberta Scholarship
Congratulations to Emilie Roth, the 2023 recipient of the Future Leader of Alberta post-secondary scholarship!
Emilie, who lives in Cold Lake, Alberta will receive $5,000 towards her post-secondary education. She is currently enrolled in Athabasca University’s Master of Health Studies. Emilie was selected due to her compelling essay, which outlined how she learned about what it means to be a leader while volunteering at a local domestic violence shelter and how it inspired her to serve the healthcare needs of rural communities.
You can find a short write-up from Emilie about what it means to be selected below.
“Being selected as a Future Leader of Alberta in a northern rural community is both an honor and a profound responsibility. To me, it signifies a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those in my community and beyond. In these remote regions, where resources and opportunities can be limited, leadership takes on a unique significance. It means being a beacon of hope, innovation, and progress.
As a master’s student in health promotion, this recognition and the accompanying funds hold immense importance. Pursuing higher education in this field allows me to bridge the gap between healthcare and community development. The funds will enable me to access the resources, research opportunities, and networking events necessary to excel academically and professionally. Health promotion isn’t just about addressing immediate health issues; it’s about creating sustainable, holistic solutions that uplift individuals and their communities.
With these funds, I will not only achieve my academic goals but also work towards making healthcare more accessible and effective in rural areas. This support is not just an investment in my education but an investment in the well-being of my community and the future of rural Alberta. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity to become a catalyst for positive change, forging a path toward healthier, happier, and more empowered communities in our northern rural regions.” – Emilie Roth
Scholarships overview
Credit unions believe in supporting the financial dreams of all Albertans. We know that saving for a post-secondary education isn’t easy and a little help can go a long way in helping you achieve the education you need to lead Alberta into the future.
The Future Leader of Alberta Scholarship, offered by Credit Unions of Alberta in partnership with Alberta Central (the central banking facility and trade association for Alberta’s credit unions) is here to help you make your post-secondary dreams a reality. The Scholarship is open to any legal resident of Alberta entering any year of study at a post-secondary institution, including undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. Institutions do not need to be based in Alberta to be eligible and students working towards degrees, diplomas, certificates and trade programs are all welcome to apply.
For 2023, we are offering one scholarship valued at $5,000 to one lucky Alberta student!
Eligibility:
- Any Alberta-based student entering or returning to a post-secondary program of study is eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be legal residents of Alberta and able to provide a home address, located in Alberta on the application form (this can be where they reside year-round or where they reside when not in school). Proof of address may be requested as part of the shortlisting process.
- Students can be entering any year of a post-secondary degree, diploma, certificate or trade program (including undergraduate and post-graduate programs).
- Programs can be based anywhere in the world (not just Alberta or Canada), as international programs are also accepted.
Application requirements and timeline:
- Complete the online application form below by August 31, 2023.
- Included in the application form is a consent to the collection of personal data and to the sharing of your name, photo and biography on Alberta Central/Credit Unions of Alberta digital properties and/or social media channels if you are selected as the recipient.
- Submission of the following items by August 31 to communications@albertacentral.com:
- Scholarship essay (topic outlined below);
- Reference letter; and
- Proof of post-secondary acceptance (e.g., acceptance letter).
- Judges from Alberta Central will review all applications and select a recipient no later than September 29, 2023.
- Funds will be distributed by October 31, 2023.
Scholarship essay:
The Future Leader of Alberta Scholarship Essay has two components that must be addressed, as outlined below. Essay’s must be at least 500 words and no more than 2,000 words.
Essay components:
- Explain what your goal is with your area of post-secondary studies, what you hope to learn or achieve and why you think you will be successful; and
- A primary focus of credit unions is supporting the communities they operate in, either through donations, sponsorships or with volunteer hours at local organizations.
- Give an example of how you have given back to your community, either by volunteering your time, raising funds or providing expertise or services to a local group. How did it make you feel to give back in this way and how did this experience help you learn about leadership or develop leadership skills, including specific examples where possible.
Scoring:
Applications will be reviewed and scored using the following criteria:
- Applicant has completed all elements of the application and submitted all required materials on time and in full.
- Applicant has demonstrated thought and attention to their goals for post-secondary studies and has considered what it means to be successful or what they want to achieve in their studies.
- Applicant consistently demonstrates a commitment to supporting the community they live in or are a part of (e.g., community groups or other organizations they belong to). They have explained, with examples, how they give back to their community and demonstrated leadership and described what it means to them to give back.
- Applicant demonstrates with written examples how supporting their community has helped them develop as a leader or taught them about leadership, with specific details of how this has helped them grow and learn and/or how it has impacted or changed their outlook or perception of leadership.
Frequently asked questions
- Why did Credit Unions of Alberta launch a scholarship program?
- Credit Unions believe in supporting the educations dreams of all Albertans. By providing a scholarship to young people based in Alberta, we can help to build future leaders for the province and deepen understanding of the credit union system.
- Who is eligible for the Future Leader of Alberta Scholarship?
- The Scholarship is open to any Alberta-based student, entering any year of study at a post-secondary institution, including undergraduate and post-graduate degrees.
- Applicants must be legal residents of Alberta and able to provide a home address, located in Alberta, on the application form.
- If the student is attending school in another location, this would be where the student resides when they are not attending post-secondary (primary address).
- Proof of address (including government-issued ID) may be requested as part of the shortlisting process.
- What type of post-secondary program is eligible?
- Any post-secondary degree, diploma, certificate or trade program is eligible.
- Programs can be based anywhere in the world (not just Alberta or Canada), as international programs are accepted.
- What are the application requirements for the Alberta Future Leader Scholarship?
- To be considered as an applicant, you must:
- Complete the application form linked below and consent to the collection of personal data and the sharing of your name, photo and biography on Alberta Central/Credit Unions of Alberta digital properties and/or social media channels if you are selected as the recipient;
- Submit proof of acceptance to a post-secondary institution;
- Complete and submit an essay on a topic outlined above; and
- Submit a reference letter from a community member or mentor (not a family member).
- To be considered as an applicant, you must:
- Who is not eligible for the Alberta Future Leader Scholarship?
- Children of employees (or current employees) with Alberta Central, CUPS Payment Services and Prairie Payments Joint Venture are not eligible to apply (these individuals can apply for the Alberta Central Future Leader Scholarship – learn more here).
- Children of Alberta credit union employees or credit union Board Members are not eligible to apply (these individuals can apply to the Credit Union Future Leader Scholarship instead – learn more here).
- Applicants with a criminal record and/or who are listed on any Canadian or United Nations sanction list are not eligible.
- Students that have previously won an Alberta Central Grant or Scholarship are not eligible.
If you have further questions or need more information, please reach out to communications@albertacentral.com.