Bursaries and Scholarships

Co-operative Management Education Bursaries

Support from the co-operative sector and individual donors allows our Centre to offer three bursaries to assist candidates enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Co-operative Management and the Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions programs (as well as some funding for the Certificate in Co-operative Management program and other shorter offerings). Each year the Centre distributes bursaries based on need and students can reapply each year:

• Dr. Sidney Pobihushchy Bursary: Awarded to students enrolled in either program and demonstrating financial need. 
• Leadership in Co-operative Management Education Bursary: Awarded to students enrolled in either program and demonstrating financial need. Preference will be given to students from developing countries or co-operative organizations that might not otherwise be able to afford the program costs. 
• Carmel Bellamy Co-op Governance Bursary: The fund was established in 2024 to commemorate the life and achievements of Carmel Bellamy, a 42-year employee of The Co-operators Group Limited and a Board Member for the Governance Professionals of Canada. This bursary will be awarded annually to recipient(s) enrolled in any co-operative governance programming or undertaking research through the Saint Mary’s University International Centre for Co-operative Management. Preference will be given to recipients who might not otherwise be able to afford the program costs including recipients from traditionally under-represented groups or communities. This bursary is non-renewable although an individual may be selected to receive it more than once. To donate to this fund, send a message to cme@smu.ca to request instructions.

The application deadline is May 31st. Complete the CME Bursary Form .

Support the co-operative system with a contribution to the Leadership in Co-operative Management Education Bursary Fund. Make a charitable donation today.

Saint Mary's University

Saint Mary's University offers the Financial Aid Bursary to students who are experiencing financial hardship. Students must re-apply each term during the academic year. For more details, visit the Financial Need-Based Bursary website. 

Atlantic Central and League Savings & Mortgage (ACLSM) Bursary

The Atlantic Central and League Savings & Mortgage bursary supports Atlantic Canada-based credit union employees enrolling in the Master's, Graduate Diploma or Certificate programs (co-op and credit union management). One bursary will be awarded each year. The bursary amount covers approximately 30% of tuition costs over the length of the program. The program and bursary application deadlines are May 31 (applicants may be considered after this date if seats and funding are still available). Apply now by completing the Atlantic Central and League Savings & Mortgage (ACLSM) Bursary Application Form .

Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation (CASC) Scholarship

The Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation offers four opportunities for financial aid: Alexander Fraser Laidlaw Fellowship, Amy and Tim Dauphinee Scholarship, Lemaire Co-operative Studies Award, and The Norm Bromberger Research Bursary. For more details, visit the CASC website.

Credit Union Foundation of BC Bursary Program

The Credit Union Foundation of BC was established by BC credit unions in 1958 to support their members in their journey through post-secondary education. In this co-operative spirit, credit unions have helped thousands of members pursue their dreams and in turn build stronger and more vibrant communities. This bursary is for residents of British Columbia, Canada who are members (including employees) of BC credit unions to enable them to pursue a post-secondary program at an accredited university in Canada (such as online, part-time co-op and credit union programs at Saint Mary’s University). This program has several application times each year and applicants must be admitted and have paid tuition at the time of application.  For more details, please visit the Credit Union Foundation of BC website.

Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHFC) Scholarship

The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada awards five scholarships each year to members, directors or employees of a CHF Canada member. Students must be enrolled in a program that is relevant to improving the business skills of co-op housing managers from a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution. The application deadline is March 1st. For more details, please visit the CHFC website.

Elroy Webster Cooperative Studies Fund

The Elroy Webster Cooperative Studies Fund offers financial aid to students enrolled in a business program, with a particular interest in studies about agricultural co-operatives and/or with potential benefit for agricultural co-operatives. Students must be legal residents of the United States, but the university can be located in the United States or Canada. The application deadline is early August. For more details, please visit the Elroy Webster Cooperative Studies website. 

Handyside Ethical and Social Responsibility Award

The Handyside Ethical and Social Responsibility Award is presented annually to a graduate or undergraduate who participates in a paper, case or project. The focus must be on ethical and social responsibility in an organization. The application deadline is early April. For more details, please visit The Handyside Ethical and Social Responsibility Award website.

NBTA Credit Union

NBTA Credit Union presents several education awards and scholarships each year for residents of the Province of New Brunswick in Canada. For more details, please visit the NBTA Credit Union website.

Organization of American States Scholarships

The Organization of American States and Saint Mary's University have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement under which students awarded an OAS Scholarship may apply for entry into the Graduate Diploma in Co-operative Management or Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions. Qualified students accepted into these programs and in receipt of an OAS Scholarship are also eligible for a bursary under the Dr. Sidney Pobihushchy Bursary Fund listed above. For more details visit the OAS website. 

Ralph K. Morris Foundation

The Ralph K. Morris Cooperative Leadership Fund has been established by the Ralph K. Morris Foundation to support the development of future co-operative leaders. For more details, please visit the Ralph K. Morris Cooperative Leadership Fund website. 

Zonta International

Zonta International has established the Jane M. Klausman scholarship to help women pursue a master's education in business management. For more details, visit the Zonta International website.