Arrata Family Award For New Canadians

The Arrata Family Award For New Canadians supports foreign-born students who are completing their high school education in Calgary and transitioning to post-secondary studies. This award recognizes the unique challenges faced by new Canadian students who have been in the country for 2-5 years and are working toward Canadian citizenship. The scholarship is designed to assist students who have demonstrated both academic progress and financial need. The award is open to students registered in Calgary Board of Education (CBE) institutions who have been attending a Canadian high school for at least two years and are completing their grade 12 requirements within 15 months of graduation. Applicants must be permanent residents with intent to obtain Canadian citizenship and pursue post-secondary education. A key component of the application is a 500-word essay describing the applicant's origins, arrival in Canada, challenges faced as a learner in a new country, and plans for further education. Recipients are selected by September based on academic merit, financial need, and the quality of their essay. The award value of $2,200 must be claimed within 18 months of achieving the high school diploma (with option to extend) and requires enrollment in an eligible post-secondary program of at least two years duration. Preference is given to students attending institutions in Alberta, with payments made directly to the post-secondary institutions.