Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries
As a student at Northwestern Polytechnic, you may be eligible for many scholarships, awards, and bursaries to assist you with your post-secondary education.
Applications and Deadlines
The Awards Office makes applications available throughout the year. In most cases, the applications are available at least six weeks in advance of the deadline. Notifications will also be sent to your student e-mail address when applications become available.
Every effort will be made to have printable applications on the website. You may also stop by the Awards Office to pick up a paper application and to drop off supporting documentation.
Standard Award Criteria
To ensure fair and equitable selection, we have established standard criteria for scholarships and bursaries. Unless otherwise stated, we first consider the standard criteria, then any additional requirements.
Scholarships and bursaries are available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada). International students who are enrolled in at least their second year of full-time studies at NWP are also eligible to apply.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awards given based on academic excellence. The standard criteria for this type of award are:
- Full-time student in fall and winter semester
- Selection based on grade point average (GPA)
Bursaries
Bursaries are awards given based on satisfactory academic achievement and demonstrated financial need. The standard criteria for this type of award are:
- Full-time student in fall and winter semester
- Achieved a minimum GPA of 1.7 in the fall semester
- Demonstrated financial need
Graduation and Convocation
The NWP Valedictorian is a graduate from either a certificate or diploma program, while the Salutatorian is a graduate from a degree program. Both graduates actively participate in student or community leadership and embody the best qualities of the graduating class they represent. As individuals who can articulate a positive message while reflecting on the recent past and near future, the Valedictorian and Salutatorian understand the student journey and the significance of what their fellow graduates are embarking on.
Grande Prairie Campus Valedictorian Award - $2500
The Grande Prairie Campus, Valedictorian Award, sponsored by Mr. Paul Evaskevich, recognizes the most outstanding graduating student from among all programs offered at Northwestern Polytechnic, who is receiving a certificate or diploma after at least one full year of study. That is, the student has completed the maximum course of study offered in a program at NWP. A student must be enrolled in a full course load during the year in which their is considered for the award. Students will be shortlisted based on their display of leadership qualities, their contribution to the institution and finally, judged on the content of the Valedictory Address.
Applications are closed for the 2023-24 Valedictorian Award.
Selection is made on the basis of:
- Student must be eligible to expect to graduate
- Student must be registered in a minimum 60% course load
- Student must have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.3 in the Fall semester prior to Convocation
- To be considered for this award, Student Services must have an Application for Parchment on file
- In addition, students will be shortlisted based on their display of leadership qualities, their contribution to the institution and finally, judged on the content of the valedictory address.
Letter to the Valedictorian Selection Committee
You will need to write a letter to the selection committee explaining why you should be chosen to represent your graduating class. Your letter should comment on:
- Academic Highlights (Honours, achievements, etc.)
- Current Program at NWP
- Future Education Plans (if any)
- Career Goals
Valedictorian Speech
While you're working on the draft, it might be helpful to keep these things in mind:
- Be relevant to the situation
- Be thought provoking
- Be general to graduating class (not all program specific)
- Have a positive focus
Fairview Campus Valedictorian Award - $2500
The Fairview Campus Valedictorian Award applications are open. Forms can be downloaded below or from your myNWP Document Library. Applications will close on January 10, 2025.
The Fairview Campus, Valedictorian Award, sponsored by Fairview General Awards Fund, recognizes the most outstanding graduating student from among all programs offered at Northwestern Polytechnic, Fairview Campus, who is receiving a certificate or diploma after at least one full year of study. That is, the student has completed the maximum course of study offered in a program at NWP. A student must be enrolled in a full course load during the year in which they are considered for the award. Students will be shortlisted based on their display of leadership qualities, their contribution to the institution and finally, judged on the content of the Valedictory Address.
Download Application Form
Salutatorian Award - $1500
The Beth Sheehan Salutatorian Award, recognizes excellence of a collaborative degree completion student and acknowledges their choice to complete their studies on campus at Northwestern Polytechnic. To be eligible for this award, a student must be completing the final year of a collaborative degree program on the NWP campus, be enrolled in 60% of a full course load, and have a minimum GPA of 3.3 in the fall semester prior to Convocation. Students will be shortlisted based on their display of leadership qualities, their contribution to the institution and finally, judged on the content of the salutatorian speech.
Applications are closed for the 2023-24 Salutatorian Award.
Eligibility Criteria
- Student must be completing the final year of a degree program on a NWP campus
- Student must be registered in a minimum of 60% of a full course load
- Student must have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.3 in the fall semester prior to Convocation
- Students will be shortlisted based on their display of leadership qualities, their contribution to the institution and finally, judged on the content of the salutatorian speech
Required Documents for Application
- Letter to the Selection Committee
- A copy of your Salutatorian speech
- Proof of registration from your University
- Transcripts from your University
Letter to the Selection Committee
You will need to write a letter to the selection committee explaining why you should be chosen to represent your graduating class. Your letter should comment on:
- Academic Highlights (Honours, achievements, etc.)
- Current Program at NWP
- Future Education Plans (if any)
- Career Goals
Awards Search
It is important to note that dates, award funds and availability are subject to change. Please check the information provided on specific application forms.
Payment of Awards
Receiving Your Award Payment
Your social insurance number is required for your award to be issued. If we do not have this information on file, you will be contacted by our department to provide this information. We respect that you may be cautious to provide us with this information, and will include a department contact so that you can confirm the veracity of this request.
Income Tax on Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries
Awards, scholarships, and bursaries are considered part of your taxable income for the year. The institute will issue a T4A form for all awards. The T4A is issued in late February for awards, scholarships, and bursaries received in the previous calendar year. Access your T4A through the financials tab in your myNWP account.
To access award funds faster, consider setting up banking direct deposit through your myNWP account in the "My Finances" tab.
Contact Information
Your award payment will be sent to the address that we have on file. Access your myNWP account to manage your contact information.
Haven't Received Your Award Cheque?
Have you received your award letter but not your cheque by the suggested date in your award letter? Contact us at FinancialAid@NWpolytech.ca for assistance.
Contact Us
For more information on financing your education, please contact: