Alexander Rutherford Scholarship for High School Achievement (Alberta)
Tiered Grade 10/11/12; $300-$1,300 per grade; max $2,500 combined for post-2008 graduates
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Government of Alberta — Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund · Provincial
Reviewed by G Paul · verified May 1, 2026
Alberta's flagship high school achievement scholarship for senior students pursuing post-secondary studies. TIERED amount per grade earned: Grade 10 $300-$400 + Grade 11 $500-$800 + Grade 12 $700-$1,300, for a maximum combined $2,500 for post-2008 graduates. Funded through the Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund.
The Alexander Rutherford Scholarship for High School Achievement is the Province of Alberta's flagship merit-based scholarship for senior high school graduates pursuing post-secondary studies. Named for Alberta's first Premier, the scholarship is funded statutorily through the Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund (governed by the Heritage Scholarship Act) and administered through Alberta Student Aid. The award is TIERED — students earn portions for grades earned in each of Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12 separately, with the amounts increasing as grades increase: Grade 10 $300-$400, Grade 11 $500-$800, Grade 12 $700-$1,300. The maximum combined amount for post-2008 high school graduates is $2,500 — students who earn the maximum at all three grade levels receive the full $2,500 by the time they begin post-secondary. (Different, typically lower, tier amounts apply for pre-2008 graduates per the Operational Policy Manual.) Important note: a '$3,500' figure circulates in third-party sources but is not verified by the Alberta Student Aid Operational Policy Manual; the $2,500 combined cap is the policy-manual confirmed figure for post-2008 graduates. Application is through Alberta Student Aid; if you're applying for Alberta Student Aid for your post-secondary studies, the Rutherford scholarship is part of the same portal and account.
Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.
Order through your school registrar: allow 1–2 weeks.
Check the official source for the current deadline: save a copy and submit at least 24 hours early.
Apply through Alberta Student Aid (studentaid.alberta.ca) — the Rutherford scholarship uses the same portal as your post-secondary funding application.
Check the Operational Policy Manual for the specific qualifying-grade thresholds for the active cycle; these adjust over time.
Even if your Grade 12 average isn't the highest tier, you may still earn the Grade 10 and Grade 11 portions — apply rather than self-disqualifying.
The $2,500 combined maximum stacks with other Alberta Student Aid scholarships and grants.
Don't be fooled by the '$3,500' figure circulating in third-party sources — the Operational Policy Manual cap is $2,500 for post-2008 graduates.
How do I apply?
Click the Start application button above: it opens the official application page in a new tab.
When is the deadline?
The provider has not posted a firm deadline. Check the official source before applying.
Can international students apply?
Eligibility is limited to: Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, Protected Person.
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Screenshot the card below for Reddit, WhatsApp, or your school's chat — verified, dated, with a one-line citation back to the source.
Tiered Grade 10/11/12; $300-$1,300 per grade; max $2,500 combined for post-2008 graduates