Hilltop Awards and Bursaries

Edmonton Community Foundation has a long history of providing student awards to help students achieve their educational dreams. Hilltop Awards and Bursaries (previously known as ECF Awards and Bursaries) was launched in 2009 to help students from Edmonton and/or Northern Alberta who have a history of community involvement with the costs of post-secondary education. Each year typically 150 students receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $6,000. The awards support students pursuing studies at most post-secondary institutions in Canada, including universities, colleges, technical institutes, and some private/vocational schools. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and community involvement in roles with responsibilities such as volunteering, artistic contributions, coaching, or participation in public arts organizations, social justice, environmental advocacy, Indigenous organizations, and community interest groups. The awards can be used for academic upgrading, diplomas, certificates, bachelor, graduate, and doctoral degrees, and professional degrees like law or dental school. A limited amount of support is also available for non-credited learning opportunities for people working in the not-for-profit sector.