Alberta Heritage Scholarship Regulation

(Consolidated up to 19/2025) ALBERTA REGULATION 214/99 Alberta Heritage Scholarship Act ALBERTA HERITAGE SCHOLARSHIP REGULATION Table of Contents 1 Definitions 2 Alexander Rutherford Scholarships 3 Rutherford Scholar Awards 4 Grant MacEwan United World College Scholarships 6 Adult High School Equivalency Scholarships 7 Louise McKinney Post-Secondary Scholarships 8 Sir James Lougheed Awards of Distinction 9 Ralph Steinhauer Awards of Distinction 11 Government of Alberta awards 12 Charles S. Noble Scholarships 13 Michael Luchkovich Scholarships 14 Arts Scholarships (non-academic, career development) 15 Arts Scholarships (masters or equivalent level study) 15.1 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee awards and scholarships 16 Time and manner of payment 17 Reconsideration of certain matters 18 Fees 19 Maximum total amount Definitions 1 In this Regulation, (a) “Act” means the Alberta Heritage Scholarship Act ; (a.1) “Alberta university” means a university as defined in the Post‑secondary Learning Act ; (b) “educational institution” means (i) a public post‑secondary institution under the Post‑secondary Learning Act , (ii) a private post‑secondary institution that has been designated as an institution that may grant a degree under the Post‑secondary Learning Act , (iii) an institution that provides vocational training pursuant to the Private Vocational Training Act , or (iv) a post‑secondary educational institution in Alberta or elsewhere that is approved by the Minister for the purposes of this Regulation; (c) “full‑time study” means enrolment in not less than 60% of a full‑time program of study during a term or equivalent as approved by the Minister; (d) “graduate program” means a program of study that leads to a masters or doctorate degree at an educational institution in Alberta or elsewhere; (e) “part‑time study” means enrolment in less than 60% of a full‑time program of study during a term or equivalent as approved by the Minister; (f) “professional program” means (i) a winter‑session course at The Banff Centre, and (ii) a program of study at an educational institution in Alberta or elsewhere in (A) medicine, (B) law, (C) dentistry, (C.1) pharmacy, (D) optometry, (E) veterinary medicine, (F) chiropractic studies, or (G) any other program that exceeds a total of 4 years of post‑secondary education and is designated by the Minister as a professional program; (f.1) “program of study” means any combination of courses or other requirements that is considered by the educational institution in question to be necessary for a student in the institution to obtain a degree, certificate or diploma; (g) “resident” means (i) a person who has maintained permanent residence in Alberta for a period of at least 12 consecutive months that (A) is immediately prior to the commencement date of the program of study described in that person’s application for a scholarship or award under this Regulation, and (B) excludes any time spent by that person enrolled in a program of study at an educational institution in Alberta or elsewhere, (ii) a person whose parents or guardians (A) have maintained permanent residence in Canada for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the commencement date of the program of study described in that person’s application for a scholarship or award under this Regulation, and (B) are resident in Alberta on the commencement date of the program of study described in that person’s application for a scholarship or award under this Regulation, or (iii) a person or member of a class of persons declared by the Minister to be a resident in Alberta; (h) “short‑term study” means full‑time study in a program of 6 months or less which does not normally form part of a longer course of study; (i) “undergraduate program” means a post‑secondary program of study that is not (i) a graduate program, (ii) a professional program, (iii) a part‑time program of study, (iv) part of an apprenticeship education program, or (v) an upgrading program; (j) repealed AR 297/2002 s2; (k) “year” means the period commencing on April 1 in one year and ending on March 31 in the following year. AR 214/99 s1;297/2002;5/2005;175/2012;10/2019;157/2022; 19/2025 Alexander Rutherford Scholarships 2 (1) The Minister may grant an Alexander Rutherford Scholarship for High School Achievement to any applicant who (a) fulfils the residency requirement set out in subsection (4), (b) has completed a high school education (i) after September 30, 1980, as specified by the Minister, with marks that average at least 80% in not less than 5 subjects prescribed or accepted by the Minister, in grades 10 to 12 or any one or any combination of those grades satisfactory to the Minister, or (ii) after April 1, 2008, as specified by the Minister, with marks that average at least 75% but less than 80% in not less than 5 subjects prescribed or accepted by the Minister, in grades 10 to 12 or any one or any combination of those grades satisfactory to the Minister, and (c) has enrolled for full‑time study in an undergraduate program at an educational institution in Alberta or elsewhere or is an apprentice as defined in the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act . (2) An Alexander Rutherford Scholarship shall not exceed $2500 and is apportioned, with respect to grades 10 to 12, as follows: (a) for grade 10 (i) a maximum of $400 for an average of at least 80%, or (ii) a maximum of $300 for an average of at least 75% but less than 80%; (b) for grade 11 (i) a maximum of $800 for an average of at least 80%, or (ii) a maximum of $500 for an average of at least 75% but less than 80%; (c) for grade 12 (i) a maximum of $1300 for an average of at least 80%, or (ii) a maximum of $700 for an average of at least 75% but less than 80%. (2.1) Notwithstanding subsection (2), for the purposes of the 2019-2020 academic year, a student who obtains credit that corresponds with one of the following course codes applied by Alberta Education is deemed to have obtained a grade of 90% for that course: (a) UCT 1999; (b) UCT 2999; (c) UCT 3999. (3) The Minister shall determine the actual amount of each Alexander Rutherford Scholarship to be granted having regard to (a) subsection (2) and the actual marks achieved by the applicant during grades 10 to 12 or any one or any combination of those grades satisfactory to the Minister, and (b) subsection (2.1) and the course codes applied by Alberta Education in respect of credit obtained by the applicant during grades 10 to 12 for the academic year 2019-2020. (4) An applicant is not eligible to receive a scholarship under this section with respect to any grade unless the applicant was a resident throughout the whole of that grade. AR 214/99 s2;297/2002;152/2008;119/2020;157/2022 Rutherford Scholar Awards 3 (1) The Minister may grant a Rutherford Scholar Award to any student who (a) has qualified for an Alexander Rutherford Scholarship for High School Achievement under section 2, (b) achieves one of the top 10 averages in grade 12 in the same group of applicants from which the selection for scholarships under section 2 was made, based on diploma examination results in subjects specified by the Minister, as attested to in an Alberta Education transcript, and (c) completes all grade 12 courses prior to enrolment in an educational institution in Alberta or elsewhere. (2) In calculating the average under subsection (1)(b), only the grade earned for the first writing of an examination is used. (3) The amount of an award under this section is $2500. AR 214/99 s3;297/2002;5/2005;152/2008 Grant MacEwan United World College Scholarships 4 (1) The Minister may grant a Grant MacEwan United World College Scholarship to any applicant who (a) is a resident, (b) is completing grade 11, (c) intends to enrol at a United World College, and (d) demonstrates superior academic achievement and involvement in community and extra‑curricular activities. (2) The Minister may under subsection (1) grant up to 8 Grant MacEwan United World College Scholarships each year. (3) A Grant MacEwan United World College Scholarship is for a 2‑year period and consists each year of an amount of money not exceeding the direct cost to the student of room, board, tuition, books and supplies at the United World College attended by the student and one return trip between the student’s home and that College. (4) To receive payment of the first and 2nd instalment of a Grant MacEwan United World College Scholarship, the recipient must be and continue to be enrolled at a United World College. AR 214/99 s4;297/2002;295/2006 5 Repealed AR 71/2002 s7(2). Adult High School Equivalency Scholarships 6 (1) The Minister may grant an Adult High School Equivalency Scholarship to any applicant who (a) is a resident, (b) has been out of high school for a minimum of 3 years prior to commencing a high school equivalency program, (c) has completed a high school equivalency program after September 1, 1992 in which the applicant obtained an average of at least 80%, (d) is enrolled in an educational institution in Alberta or elsewhere, and (e) is nominated by the head of the institution at which the applicant completed the high school equivalency program. (2) The amount of a scholarship under this section is $500. AR 214/99 s6;297/2002 Louise McKinney Post-Secondary Scholarships 7 (1) The Minister may grant a Louise McKinney Post‑Secondary Scholarship to any applicant who (a) is a resident, (b) has completed the first year or a subsequent year of full‑time study in an undergraduate program, or any year of a professional program, at an educational institution in Alberta and has been recommended for a Louise McKinney Post‑Secondary Scholarship by an officer of that educational institution on the basis of the applicant’s academic achievement during that year of study, and (c) has enrolled in full‑time study in the 2nd year or a subsequent year of an undergraduate program or in any year of a professional program offered at an educational institution in Alberta or elsewhere. (2) The Minister may grant a Louise McKinney Post‑Secondary Scholarship to any applicant who (a) is a resident, (b) has completed the first year or a subsequent year of full‑time study in an undergraduate program, or any year of a professional program, at an educational institution outside Alberta because that program of study is not offered in Alberta, (c) has achieved academic distinction in the first year or a subsequent year of study by demonstrating a class standing that is in the top 2% of enrolment in that program for that year, and (d) has enrolled in full‑time study in the 2nd year or a subsequent year of an undergraduate program or in any year of a professional program. (3) The amount of a Louise McKinney Post‑Secondary Scholarship is $2500. (4) The Minister may grant more than one Louise McKinney Post‑Secondary Scholarship to the same individual but shall not grant more than one of those scholarships per year to the same individual. Sir James Lougheed Awards of Distinction 8 (1) The Minister may grant a Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction to any applicant who (a) is a resident, (b) has achieved academic distinction satisfactory to the Minister in an undergraduate program, graduate program or professional program, and (c) has enrolled in full‑time study in a graduate program at an educational institution outside Alberta. (2) A Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction consists of an amount of money not exceeding (a) $15 000, in the case of study in a masters program, (b) $20 000, in the case of study in a doctorate program, or (c) $15 000, in the case of study in a doctorate program where the student has not previously completed one year of graduate studies. (3) The Minister may grant 2 Sir James Lougheed Awards of Distinction to the same individual but shall not grant more than one of those awards per year to the same individual. Ralph Steinhauer Awards of Distinction 9 (1) The Minister may grant a Ralph Steinhauer Award of Distinction to any applicant who (a) is a Canadian citizen or has been lawfully admitted to Canada for permanent residence, (b) has achieved academic distinction satisfactory to the Minister in an undergraduate program, graduate program or professional program, and (c) has enrolled in full‑time study in a graduate program at an Alberta university. (2) The amount of a Ralph Steinhauer Award of Distinction is (a) $15 000, in the case of study in a masters program, (b) $20 000, in the case of study in a doctorate program, or (c) $15 000, in the case of study in a doctorate program where the student has not previously completed one year of graduate studies. (3) The Minister may grant 2 Ralph Steinhauer Awards of Distinction to the same individual but shall not grant more than one of those awards per year to the same individual. AR 214/99 s9;297/2002 10 Repealed AR 295/2006 s3. Government of Alberta awards 11 (1) The Minister may grant a Government of Alberta award to any student who is enrolled in an educational institution in Alberta or elsewhere. (2) An award under this section may include any one or more or all of the following amounts of money: (a) a living allowance of not more than $15 000; (b) a research allowance of not more than $1000 to be paid only once during the course of the student’s program; (c) the direct cost to the student of any or all of the following: (i) tuition; (ii) books and supplies; (iii) a return airfare or the equivalent between the student’s home and the educational institution to be paid only once during the course of the student’s program; (iv) Alberta Health Care Insurance and Blue Cross premiums. (3) If a student receives an award under this section, the money payable to the student must be paid all at one time or in instalments over a period of time not exceeding 12 months. (4) The Minister may grant more than one award under this section to the same individual but shall not grant more than one award per year to the same individual. (5) In this section, “educational institution” includes a non post‑secondary education institution in Alberta or elsewhere that is approved by the Minister for the purposes of this section. AR 214/99 s11;297/2002;5/2005;152/2008 Charles S. Noble Scholarships 12 (1) The Minister may grant a Charles S. Noble Scholarship to any individual who meets the criteria of a scholarship program approved under this section. (2) Any member of the public may submit for the Minister’s consideration a proposed scholarship program for achievement in a particular field of endeavour. (3) The Minister may approve a proposed scholarship program and may do so with or without changes. (4) A Charles S. Noble Scholarship consists of an award of not less than $300 and not more than $10 000, or an award other than money that the Minister considers appropriate, or both. AR 214/99 s12;297/2002 Michael Luchkovich Scholarships 13 (1) The Minister may grant a Michael Luchkovich Scholarship to any applicant who (a) is a resident, (b) has been employed or self‑employed in Alberta in a field of employment satisfactory to the Minister for a period of not less than 3 years before the date of commencement of the program referred to in clause (d), (c) provides evidence satisfactory to the Minister of success in that employment and in undertaking academic or practical training, and (d) has enrolled in a program of short‑term study or part‑time study related to that employment that is satisfactory to the Minister. (2) The Minister shall determine the amount of a scholarship under this section and may establish a committee under section 4 of the Act to make recommendations. Arts Scholarships (non-academic, career development) 14 (1) The Minister may grant an Arts Career Development Scholarship to any applicant who (a) is a resident, and (b) is applying for assistance (i) to attend a short‑term course in the applicant’s field, or (ii) to study or work with a master in the applicant’s field or with an established company or organization in an internship or as part of an apprenticeship education program. (2) The Minister shall determine the amount of a scholarship under this section and may establish a committee under section 4 of the Act to make recommendations. (3) Repealed AR 297/2002 s11. AR 214/99 s14;297/2002;157/2022 Arts Scholarships (masters or equivalent level study) 15 (1) The Minister may grant an Arts Graduate Scholarship to any applicant who (a) is a resident, and (b) is enrolled as a full‑time student in a masters or equivalent level program of study in music, drama, dance, literary arts or visual arts. (2) The Minister may under subsection (1) grant up to 7 scholarships each year. (3) The amount of a scholarship under this section may not exceed $15 000. (4) Repealed AR 297/2002 s12. (5) The Minister may grant 2 Arts Graduate Scholarships to the same individual but may not grant more than one of those scholarships in the same year to the same individual. AR 214/99 s15;297/2002;152/2008 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee awards and scholarships 15.1 Pursuant to section 3(3) of the Alberta Heritage Scholarship Act , the Minister may provide for the awards and scholarships referred to in section 4 of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Recognition Act in accordance with the regulations made under the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Recognition Act . AR 71/2002 s7;297/2002;67/2022 Time and manner of payment 16 Except as otherwise provided in this Regulation, the Minister may pay the amount of any scholarship, fellowship or award granted under this Regulation at the times and in the manner the Minister considers appropriate. Reconsideration of certain matters 17 (1) Where the Minister makes a decision concerning a scholarship, fellowship or award under this Regulation in regard to which no committee has been established under section 4 of the Act, a student or applicant who is affected by that decision may request that the Minister establish a committee under section 4 of the Act and reconsider the decision. (2) Where the Minister agrees to establish a committee and reconsider a decision, the committee is responsible for hearing the submission of the student or applicant and making recommendations to the Minister. (3) The Minister may, after considering the recommendations of the committee, make any decision respecting a reconsideration under subsection (1) that the Minister considers appropriate. Fees 18 (1) The Minister may charge such fees as the Minister considers reasonable for administering scholarships established under section 3(3) of the Act, including the receipt and management of assets received under section 2(2) of the Act. (2) Fees for administering scholarships, other than fees for the receipt and management of assets, may be charged only for matters after March 31, 2002. AR 214/99 s18;71/2002 Maximum total amount 19 (1) Subject to section 6 of the Act and subsection (3), the total amount of money paid as Alberta Heritage Scholarships in a fiscal year, excluding money paid as scholarships established through gifts or money referred to in section 2(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Act, may not exceed 4.5% of the market value of the Fund. (2) The market value for the purpose of subsection (1) is the average of the market values determined on March 31 of the preceding 3 fiscal years. (3) If less than 4.5% of the market value of the Fund is paid from the Fund in a fiscal year, the unused portion of the amount permitted to be paid in that fiscal year may be paid in any subsequent fiscal year. AR 214/99 s19;297/2002;5/2005;295/2006;152/2008;95/2021; 19/2025 20 Repealed AR 175/2012 s3. 21 Repealed AR 251/2018 s2. 22 Repealed AR 175/2012 s5.