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Create opportunity for students

Establish a scholarship or bursary

When you contribute to scholarships and bursaries, you’re opening doors for students, many of whom couldn’t go to university without your support. You’re helping them realize their dreams and their potential.

You’re helping attract bright minds to UNB - students who build a culture of fresh thinking and leadership - while fostering the next generation of engaged and educated citizens.

It’s relatively easy to set up an award at UNB and we’re happy to assist you through the process.

There is no greater need at UNB - and no easier way to have an impact. Creating scholarships and bursaries for our students helps them overcome financial hurdles and enables them to pursue their goals.Naming your award

When you create a named award, you may choose to honour or memorialize a family member or friend, or you may choose to put it in your own name. It’s an easy and meaningful way to ensure that you or someone you care about is remembered.

Sometimes teammates, a group of friends or an entire class will create a special scholarship and contribute to it over a number of years. 

The scholarship or bursary you create establishes a relationship with UNB and our students that lives on forever. 

Types of awards

There are several types of awards you can create and we would be happy to guide you through the options available. Some donors establish needs-based awards to help students who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Others focus entirely on merit to recognize high-achievers and attract them to UNB. 

  • Scholarships are awards based on academic achievement.  Some scholarships may consider financial need and/or participation in extracurricular activities as well.
  • Bursaries are awards based on financial need for students who have achieved a successful academic performance.
  • Merit Awards are awards which recognize a non-academic achievement.  These awards are provided to students who have demonstrated a special talent, e.g. athletic abilities or leadership, and achieved successful academic performance.  The student is expected to use this special talent to contribute to the University or community at large.
  • Prizes are based on specific academic achievement and are awarded on the recommendation of the appropriate academic department, faculty or unit.Creating an award
  • Off-Campus Study Awards are established to encourage students to participate in studying abroad or elsewhere in Canada. They are provided to students who have been accepted to another university which has established a formal exchange agreement with UNB or are involved in an approved off-campus study program. 

The funding required for each of these categories is listed in the Naming Opportunities section. Awards range in value from a few hundred dollars to $25,000 and more per year.  They may be restricted to a particular discipline or be made available for the university to award as required.

From a $500 annual donation to an endowed award of $25,000 or more, every gift of financial support makes a difference for students. The minimum amount to establish a named scholarship is $10,000.Awards can be funded in a number of ways.

  • annual donations
  • endowment creation; investment income from which provides the scholarship, bursary or prize

Others choose a combination by making an annual contribution, a portion of which provides support for a current student, with the balance used to build an endowment over time.

Others contribute annually during their lifetime and leave a bequest in their will to enable the award to continue after their passing.

Seeing the impact

Where possible, we’ll provide you with an opportunity to meet with the students you are supporting. The relationship you have with your scholarship recipients can have a big impact on students’ lives and many donors find it rewarding to be informed of the students’ progress.

No matter how involved you are, we will provide you with an official update each year on the award you have established including the investment income of the scholarship or bursary fund, if applicable, as well as the name(s) of the student(s) who will be receiving the award. We’re here to provide you with information and assistance whenever you need it.  

Create an award. Create an opportunity.

Awards inspire students to come to UNB; they inspire them to stay.  They recognize hard work and achievements and motivate students. They make families proud and prospective employers take notice. Awards set an example to students, a tangible symbol of caring passed on unselfishly from you, the donor.

When you create an award, you have an opportunity to remember someone or ensure that your own family name is carried on in a lasting way at UNB. 

You’re transforming individual lives, and in turn, you’re helping those individuals have a positive impact on entire communities.
Please contact us to find out how you can establish an award at UNB to suit your goals and provide students with the opportunity to succeed.

You can also learn more by viewing our latest publication about creating awards for students:

UNB's brochure about creating awards for students.