Apply Now: County of Lethbridge Scholarships & Bursary
If you live in or around Lethbridge County in Alberta, Canada, and you are planning to pursue post-secondary education this year, you are in luck. The County of Lethbridge has announced that it is offering 2026 scholarships and bursaries to help local students cover the cost of their education. Whether you are finishing high school and heading into your first year of college or university, or you are an adult resident looking to return to school for the first time, there is likely a program here that fits your situation.
In this article, we are going to walk you through every detail you need to know about the County of Lethbridge’s 2026 scholarship and bursary programs. We will cover who qualifies, how much money is on offer, what each program looks for in applicants, and exactly how to apply before the deadline. So, if you have been searching for local Canadian scholarships or Alberta student funding opportunities, keep reading because this one could be a great fit for you.
Why the County of Lethbridge Scholarships to Student Funding
Local governments across Canada recognize that the rising cost of post-secondary education is one of the biggest barriers students face when trying to build a better future. Tuition fees, textbooks, housing, and everyday living expenses can add up quickly, making it difficult for many qualified and motivated students to pursue the education they deserve. The County of Lethbridge has taken a proactive role in addressing this issue by creating dedicated funding programs that give financial support directly to students from their community.
These programs are not just about handing out money. They are about investing in the future of the region. When local students access quality education and go on to build careers, many of them return to their communities and contribute to the local economy, workforce, and culture. From the county’s perspective, supporting post-secondary students is one of the most effective ways to strengthen Lethbridge County’s long-term future.
There is also a broader commitment to social equity here. Not every student has parents who can pay for university, or savings set aside for college. The bursary component of the county’s funding specifically takes financial need into account, meaning that students from modest backgrounds are given a genuine opportunity to compete for support.
The Two Programs: An Overview
The County of Lethbridge is delivering its 2026 student funding through two separate programs. Each program has its own eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application process. Here is a quick overview before we dive deeper into each one.
The first program is the Post-Secondary Bursary Program. This is now in its seventh year, which tells you that this is not a brand-new initiative but rather a well-established commitment by the county to support its students year after year. It awards three students with $1,500 each and is open to county residents who are entering their first year of post-secondary education.
The second program is the Community Benefit Scholarship, which is part of a collaboration between Lethbridge County and Potentia Renewables Inc. through the Stirling Wind project. This program focuses specifically on students planning to study in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields, and it can award up to two scholarships of $2,000 each.
Both programs have the same application deadline: June 1, 2026. So if you are interested in applying to either or both of these, you still have time to get your application together.
The Post-Secondary Bursary Program: Full Details
About the Program
The Post-Secondary Bursary Program has been running for seven consecutive years, and it remains one of the most accessible student funding opportunities in the Lethbridge area. The program was created specifically to provide financial assistance to Lethbridge County residents who are pursuing post-secondary education for the first time. Each year, three students are selected, and each receives $1,500 to help offset the costs of their education.
What makes this bursary different from many others is its flexibility. You do not have to be a graduating high school student to apply. If you are an adult resident who is entering post-secondary school for the first time, you are also eligible, as long as you meet the other requirements outlined below. This makes the bursary particularly valuable for older students or people who took a gap year before deciding to pursue further education.
Eligibility Requirements for the Bursary
To be considered for the Post-Secondary Bursary, applicants must meet a set of primary, secondary, and other eligibility considerations. The county uses these to assess each application holistically rather than just looking at grades alone.
Primary considerations focus on residency and school attendance. You must either be a current resident of Lethbridge County who is attending or planning to attend school within the county’s municipal boundaries, or you must have at one time attended school within those boundaries. This means that former students who grew up in the area but now live elsewhere may still be eligible, as long as they previously attended school in Lethbridge County.
Secondary considerations include academic standing and citizenship. While you do not have to be a straight-A student, your academic record should show that you are capable of achieving your educational goals. The county also looks at good citizenship, which includes things like community involvement, volunteer work, and social participation. This is the county’s way of recognizing students who contribute positively to their communities, not just those who perform well in the classroom.
Other important eligibility conditions include: financial need will be taken into account, you do not need to be a current high school student but you must provide proof of enrollment in a recognized post-secondary institution, you must be a Lethbridge County resident and provide proof of residency, only students going into their first year of post-secondary studies are eligible, and you cannot have received the Lethbridge County bursary in the past.
That last point is worth emphasizing. This bursary is meant to reach as many different students as possible, so past recipients are not eligible to apply again. If you have never received this bursary before and you are heading into your first year of college or university, you qualify on that front.
What the Bursary Covers
The $1,500 award can be used toward any costs related to your post-secondary education. This includes tuition, textbooks, transportation, housing near your school, or any other education-related expense. The county does not restrict how you spend the funds, recognizing that every student’s financial situation is different and that different students will have different priority expenses.
How to Apply for the Bursary
To apply, you will need to download the 2026 bursary application form from the official Lethbridge County Community Funding page. You can access the application form and get full details by visiting the Lethbridge County Community Funding Opportunities page.
Once you have completed the application, you can submit it by email to hpinksen@lethcounty.ca, by mailing it to Lethbridge County at #100, 905 – 4th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4E4, attention Hailey Pinksen, Director of Corporate Services, or by dropping it off in person at the Lethbridge County Administration Building.
Make sure you include official transcripts of your academic marks with your application. Applications submitted without transcripts may not be considered. The deadline is June 1, 2026.
The Community Benefit Scholarship: Full Details
About the Program
The Community Benefit Scholarship was created through a partnership between the County of Lethbridge and Potentia Renewables Inc. under the Stirling Wind project. This initiative represents something increasingly common across Canada: renewable energy companies working with local governments to give back to the communities where they operate. The Stirling Wind project, which is a wind energy development in the region, has set aside funds each year specifically to support both community organizations and post-secondary students.
The scholarship portion of this collaboration focuses on STEM fields, specifically Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Up to two scholarships of $2,000 each can be awarded in 2026, meaning the total available scholarship funding through this program is up to $4,000. These scholarships are designed for high-achieving students who are currently enrolled in high school and planning to begin post-secondary STEM studies in the 2026-2027 school year.
Eligibility Requirements for the Scholarship
The Community Benefit Scholarship has a somewhat narrower focus than the bursary. Here is what you need to qualify. You must be a high-achieving student who is currently enrolled in high school. The eligible high schools include those in Coaldale, Coalhurst, Monarch, Nobleford, Picture Butte, Iron Springs, and the City of Lethbridge. You must be planning to further your studies in a STEM-related program starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.
Unlike the bursary, this scholarship is specifically for current high school students. It is not open to adult learners or students who have already completed high school. However, it does cover a wider geographic area by including students from City of Lethbridge schools alongside those from rural communities within the county.
The scholarship committee looks for high academic achievement, so your grades will play a significant role in the selection process. If you have excelled in science, math, or technology-related courses during high school, that will naturally strengthen your application. If you have also participated in STEM-related extracurricular activities, competitions, or volunteer work, those experiences would be well worth highlighting.
Why the STEM Focus?
You might be wondering why this scholarship specifically targets STEM students. The connection to the Stirling Wind project is a big part of the answer. Renewable energy, environmental engineering, and technology innovation are all STEM fields, and by encouraging young people to study these disciplines, the Stirling Wind project is helping to build the next generation of professionals who can contribute to the clean energy sector and related industries. There is a kind of forward-thinking logic to this: a wind energy project supporting future engineers and scientists is an investment in the future of the industry itself.
Beyond that, there is strong evidence that STEM careers tend to offer good job security and competitive salaries, which means supporting students into these fields also supports their long-term financial stability. For students from Lethbridge County who go on to study engineering, computer science, environmental science, or related programs, this scholarship could make a meaningful difference in their ability to pursue those paths.
How to Apply for the Scholarship
You will need to download the 2026 scholarship application form and complete it fully before submitting. You can find the application form on the official Lethbridge County funding page at Lethbridge County Community Funding Opportunities.
Completed applications can be submitted by email to hpinksen@lethcounty.ca, by mailing to the same Lethbridge County Administration Building address mentioned above, or by dropping off your application in person. The contact person for both programs is Hailey Pinksen, Director of Corporate Services.
The application deadline for the Community Benefit Scholarship is also June 1, 2026.
Can You Apply to Both Programs?
This is a question many students will have, and the answer depends on your situation. The two programs have different eligibility requirements, so you need to check whether you qualify for each one individually.
If you are a current high school student in one of the eligible schools and you are planning to study a STEM field, you may qualify for the Community Benefit Scholarship. If you are also a first-time post-secondary student and a Lethbridge County resident with financial need, you may also qualify for the bursary. In that case, there is nothing stopping you from submitting applications to both programs. They have separate selection processes, and receiving one would not necessarily disqualify you from the other.
That said, always read the eligibility requirements for each program carefully and make sure you can honestly answer yes to each condition before submitting. Misrepresenting your eligibility could disqualify your application entirely.
Tips for Writing a Strong Application
Whether you are applying for the bursary, the scholarship, or both, the quality of your application matters. These programs receive applications from multiple students, and the selection committee needs a reason to choose you. Here are some practical tips that can help you stand out.
Be specific about your goals. Rather than writing vague statements like “I want to get a good education,” tell the committee exactly what program you are entering, what career you are working toward, and why that matters to you personally. Admissions committees and scholarship reviewers respond well to applicants who clearly know what they want and why they want it.
Talk about your community involvement. Both programs value good citizenship. If you have volunteered locally, organized events, participated in clubs, or been involved in your school or community in meaningful ways, share those experiences. Be specific about what you did, how long you were involved, and what impact it had.
Be honest about financial need. For the bursary in particular, financial need is a consideration. You do not need to be in extreme poverty to mention financial need, but if your family has limited resources and the $1,500 award would genuinely make a difference in your ability to attend school, say so clearly. Scholarship reviewers appreciate honesty and candor.
Follow all instructions carefully. Include all required documents, such as transcripts. Make sure your name, contact information, and school details are complete and accurate. Applications that are missing information or submitted incorrectly are less likely to be considered, even if the underlying content is strong.
Apply early. Do not wait until the last day before the June 1, 2026 deadline to put your application together. Rushing leads to mistakes, and a hastily written personal statement will not represent you at your best. Give yourself at least two to three weeks to gather documents, write thoughtfully, and review your submission before sending it in.
The Bigger Picture: Student Funding in Alberta
The County of Lethbridge’s scholarship and bursary programs are part of a wider ecosystem of student financial support available in Alberta. Students in this province can access funding through Alberta Student Aid, which provides loans and grants to eligible students. The Government of Canada also offers federal student loans through the National Student Loans Service Centre.
In addition to these government sources, there are many other scholarships and bursaries available through institutions like the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Polytechnic. For example, Lethbridge Polytechnic administers over 400 internal and external awards, and the University of Lethbridge has its own awards and scholarships program for both undergraduate and graduate students. Many of these can be applied for concurrently with the County of Lethbridge programs, so it is worth exploring all your options.
Community organizations, foundations, and private companies also regularly offer scholarships to Alberta students. The key is to search widely, apply early, and not count on any single source of funding. Stacking multiple smaller awards is a common and effective strategy for covering the full cost of post-secondary education.
About Lethbridge County
For readers who may not be familiar with the area, Lethbridge County is a municipal district in southern Alberta, Canada. It surrounds the city of Lethbridge and includes a number of smaller communities and rural areas. The county covers a large agricultural region and is also home to various industrial and commercial developments. Its administration office is located at #100, 905 – 4th Avenue South in Lethbridge.
Lethbridge County has consistently invested in community programs that support its residents’ quality of life, from infrastructure and emergency services to education and cultural initiatives. The scholarship and bursary programs are a reflection of that broader commitment to community well-being. The county operates Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be reached by phone at (403) 328-5525 or toll-free at (855) 728-5525, or by email at mailbox@lethcounty.ca.
About the Stirling Wind Project
The Stirling Wind project is a renewable energy initiative by Potentia Renewables Inc. located in the County of Lethbridge area. As part of their agreement with the county, Potentia Renewables established the Community Benefit Contribution Program, which funds both community organization grants and post-secondary student scholarships each year.
In 2026, the Community Benefit Fund also awarded grants to a number of local organizations, including Picture Butte High School for a farm education program, John Davidson School for playground equipment, the Family and Community Support Services for community fee assistance programming, the Picture Butte Fish and Game Association for a youth camp and junior archery program, the Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge for a Learning Garden project, and several others. This context helps you understand that the scholarship you would be applying for comes from the same community-first philosophy that drives all these local grants.
How to Apply: Direct Links
If you are ready to take the next step, you can access both application forms and full program details on the official county website. Click the link below to visit the application and funding page:
Apply Now: Lethbridge County 2026 Scholarships and Bursaries
From that page, you can download the 2026 bursary application form, download the 2026 Community Benefit Scholarship application form, and review any additional details or policy documents related to either program.
Final Thoughts
The County of Lethbridge’s 2026 scholarship and bursary programs offer a real and meaningful opportunity for local students to get financial help toward their post-secondary education. The Post-Secondary Bursary is open to a wide range of applicants, including adult learners who are entering post-secondary school for the first time, while the Community Benefit Scholarship specifically supports high school students with a passion for STEM fields.
Both programs reflect something important: the community of Lethbridge County genuinely cares about investing in its students. Whether it is through the county’s own long-standing bursary program or through partnerships with renewable energy companies like Potentia Renewables, there are people and institutions in this region who understand that education is one of the most powerful tools for building a better future.
If you or someone you know is a Lethbridge County resident planning to start post-secondary studies in 2026, do not let this opportunity pass by. The June 1, 2026 deadline gives you enough time to prepare a strong, thoughtful application. Get your documents together, write honestly about your goals and circumstances, and submit your application well before the deadline.
For additional scholarship opportunities from across Canada and around the world, keep exploring this blog. We regularly update our listings with new funding programs for students at every stage of their education journey.
