Supporting Our Students Financially
Acadia Divinity College knows how challenging it can be to fund a university education. Therefore, we are committed to supporting each student financially as they work through their program of study.
The generosity of donors over many years has made it possible for Acadia Divinity College to offer significant scholarships and bursaries to students. Our financial assistance program ensures that every eligible student receives support every year, whether that be through an ADC Entrance Scholarship or an ADC bursary, or through ADC tuition reduction for seniors or approved ministry partners.
You can find out more information on our financial assistance, or view the complete list of funds established by generous supporters of the College, by referring to our Academic Calendar here.

ADC Entrance Scholarships
When applying for admission, all full-time degree applicants are assessed for eligibility for an ADC Entrance Scholarship. For more for more information, visit here.

ADC Bursaries
In our goal of assisting all students financially, any student who is not in receipt of an ADC Entrance Scholarship or tuition reduction (seniors or students who are full-time staff with official ministry partners) can apply for an ADC bursary. Whether full-time or part-time, students can apply for a bursary each term by completing the online application.

Cora Gray and Madeline Sampson Bursary (AUBA)
The Cora Gray and Madeline Sampson Bursary was established by a generous gift from the estate of Rev. MacPherson Eaton. The bursary is named in recognition of Deacons Cora Gray and Madeline Sampson who were choice servants of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Windsor Plains United Baptist Church. It is to be awarded to a student (or students) who:
- is part of an African United Baptist Association (AUBA) church OR identifies as African Nova Scotian; and who
- demonstrates financial need
All funds are applied to the student’s account and will be considered part of the financial aid received. The amount offered varies depending on available funds.
All undergraduate, graduate, certificate and diploma program students are eligible to apply.
Note: Financial assistance may be forfeited due to poor academic performance or if courses are dropped, thus changing a student’s status to part-time. The student’s account will be adjusted accordingly.
To apply for the bursary, please download and complete the following:
Cora Gray and Madeline Sampson Bursary Application
External Awards
There are many scholarships and bursaries available from external sources that can help finance your education. Below is a list to financial assistance made available from partner groups. Applications must be made directly to each organization. Financial aid is sometimes available from individual churches and associations. Ask your home church and association for information regarding possible sources.
Acadia University is also committed to helping you find and apply for scholarships and awards by generous donors. For more information, please visit their website at: http://www2.acadiau.ca/financial-aid/external-awards.html
Additional Awards
African United Baptist Association Ministerial Fund – The African United Baptist Association (AUBA) grants an annual bursary of up to $1,000 to students who are members of churches associated with the AUBA and are enrolled in a course of study at ADC which leads to ordination in a member church of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. Applications must be made annually to the Association Clerk prior to July 15.
Atlantic Baptist Women Bursary – Income from a trust fund established by the United Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union, now Atlantic Baptist Women (ABW), in 1923‑28 and 1952-57. To provide financial assistance in the amount up to $4,000 annually. Upon the recommendation of the ABW, bursaries are awarded first to women preparing for overseas service with Canadian Baptist Ministries or to missionaries on home assignment who wish to pursue further studies at Acadia Divinity College; then to women enrolled in any Acadia Divinity College degree program. Apply here.
Board of Ministerial Standards and Education Bursary – Any student of Acadia Divinity College who has been accepted by the Board of Ministerial Standards and Education of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada (CBAC) as a candidate for ordained ministry, is in the process of completing his or her educational requirements at ADC (full-time or part-time), and who has demonstrated capacity for ministerial leadership, shall be eligible to apply and receive consideration for financial assistance from the Preparing Future Pastors Fund of the CBAC.
Richard Burpee Memorial Scholarship – The Get Together Club of Brunswick Street Baptist Church of Fredericton, New Brunswick, provides an annual scholarship of $500 to honour the memory of Rev. Richard E. Burpee, Canada’s first Protestant Missionary, who was a member of Brunswick Street Church. This scholarship is awarded to a student who is a Missionary Candidate or who is a child of a missionary. Applications, giving pertinent data relating to the background and career plans of the applicant, must be sent by July 31 to: Get Together Club, Brunswick Street Baptist Church, The Richard Burpee Memorial Scholarship, 225 Massey Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 2Z5.
Ruth Keith Scholarship Fund – An annual scholarship of $1,000 is available to a deserving young man who was brought up in Kings County, New Brunswick and who is studying to be a Baptist minister. Application for the scholarship should be made to Ruth Keith Bursary, First National Bank and Trust Newtown, 34 South Slate St., Newtown, Pennsylvania, 18940.
Lunenburg-Queens United Baptist Association Bursary – The Lunenburg-Queens United Baptist Association grants an annual bursary of $250 to a student who is a member of a church within that Association who is enrolled in a degree program at a recognized theological institution and who is preparing for the Christian Ministry. Application forms are available from the Association Clerk or Acadia Divinity College.
Northwestern Association Scholarship – The Northwestern Association Scholarship supports students from Northwestern Association Baptist Churches, New Brunswick, who are studying at Acadia Divinity College or Crandall University. Applications are available in January each year at www.northwesternassociation.com and are due by March 1st of each year.
Praxis: Global Discipleship Scholarship and Mission Trip – Canadian Baptist Ministries, in conjunction with our denominational seminaries, is pleased to offer the Global Discipleship scholarship – Praxis. This scholarship program is available upon application to a select group of Canadian Baptist Ministries-affiliated students enrolled within an accredited theological school and pursuing graduate seminary studies at a master’s or doctoral level. The scholarship, estimated at $5,000, provides the opportunity for accepted participants to engage in missiological reflection on a significant issue related to Gospel and Culture in a global context. Each year, Praxis engages in a cross-cultural mission experience within a cohort learning environment for four to six participants. Past scholarship trips included Kenya, Lebanon, Bolivia, India, and Cuba.
Shelburne United Baptist Association Bursary – A bursary in the amount of $800 (if only one application) or $500 each (if two students apply) is available for first-year studies at Acadia Divinity College. The applicant must be either an active member or active adherent of a church in the Shelburne United Baptist Association. Please apply in writing to: The Clerk of the Shelburne United Baptist Association, 1468 Highway #330, RR#1 Clark’s Harbour, Nova Scotia B0W 1P0.
Douglas A. Wilson Memorial Scholarship – The Douglas A. Wilson Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually, on recommendation from Acadia Divinity College, to a needy full-time student in a master’s program in a theological discipline who shows character, promise of leadership, a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.5, and the desire to pursue a vocation in Christian ministry. Applications can be received from Acadia Divinity College.
Wilkinson Trust Fund – The Wilkinson Trust Fund helps Prince Edeward Island students who intend to use their studies for the ministry. This fund is administered by the PEI Baptist Association. To download the application, please Click Here.
Alex Smith Memorial Scholarship – The Wallbrook United Baptist Church (now merged with the Gaspereau United Baptist Church) has established an annual scholarship of $2,500 to honour the memory of Alex Bernard Smith, beloved Deacon and Church Historian, who served the Church for 61 years. The successful candidate must be pursuing Theological Studies at the Acadia Divinity College. Preference will be given to any candidate who is a member of the Gaspereau United Baptist Church, and who has ministered in the Gaspereau field.
Applications should be made by March 31 of each year, and sent to the Selection Committee,
c/o Pat Corkum, 1525 Gaspereau River Road, Wallbrook, Nova Scotia B4P2R3 or emailed to pat.corkum@acadiau.ca
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Acadia Divinity College embodies the historical Christian legacy of Acadia University, an academy founded on a faithful pursuit of truth and inclusivity. Under the Lordship of Christ, our Baptist roots encourage us to live in light of the Scriptures, to recognize religious freedom and soul competency, as well as to engage the community as a place where the people of God together discern the mind of Christ. Acadia Divinity College thus bears witness to the diversity of a good creation, God’s presence in all places, and recognizes the dignity of God’s image in everyone.
Acadia Divinity College welcomes and embraces the whole people of God, inclusive of differences in race, ethnicity, age, gender, and levels of ability. We value interconnectedness and interdependence as it relates to the Church’s mission, and we equip students with the theological education required to minister in a global and diverse world. We welcome a wide range of perspectives and teach a range of scholarly views that represent varied contexts, with practices that are equitable and inclusive for our diverse student community. We take measures to recruit and support the training of leaders from diverse groups and seek to reflect diversity in appointments to staff, faculty, and the Board of Trustees.
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
Acadia Divinity College admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.