The Jason Lang Scholarship is one of Alberta’s most significant academic recognition programs, designed to support high-achieving post-secondary students in the province. Established to honor the memory of Jason Lang, this scholarship rewards academic excellence and helps alleviate the financial burden of higher education for thousands of Alberta students each year.
Jason Lang Scholarship Award Value
The Jason Lang Scholarship provides recipients with $1,000 for each year they qualify. Students can receive this award up to three times throughout their academic careers, making it a potentially significant source of financial support throughout their post-secondary education journey.
Jason Lang Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Academic Standing
To be eligible for the Jason Lang Scholarship, students must:
- Be enrolled full-time in the second or subsequent year of an undergraduate or professional program at an eligible publicly funded post-secondary institution in Alberta
- Have achieved a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
- Have completed at least 80% of a full course load in the previous fall and winter terms
Residency Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident of Canada, or Protected Person under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Visa students are not eligible)
- Be an Alberta resident, which means one of the following conditions must apply:
- One parent or legal guardian has maintained permanent residence in Canada for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to commencing post-secondary studies and is residing in Alberta
- Alberta is the last place the student has lived for 12 consecutive months immediately prior to commencing post-secondary studies
- The student’s spouse/partner has maintained permanent residence in Alberta for 12 consecutive months prior to the person attending post-secondary
Important Exclusions
Students are not eligible for a Jason Lang Scholarship if they:
- Are enrolled in a one-year certificate program
- Do not return to a publicly funded post-secondary institution in the fall or winter terms of the next academic year
- Are recipients of a Louise McKinney Scholarship for the same period of study
- Have received the lifetime maximum of three Jason Lang Scholarships
How to Apply for the Jason Lang Scholarship
Application Process
Unlike many other scholarships that require direct applications to Alberta Student Aid, the Jason Lang Scholarship operates through a nomination process:
- Students must submit a completed application form to the Student Awards Office at their educational institution
- Each institution has its own internal deadline dates for applications, so students should contact their school’s awards office for specific deadlines
- The institution’s Student Awards Office nominates eligible students to Alberta Student Aid
Selection Process
Students who meet the eligibility criteria are nominated by the Student Awards Office at their Alberta post-secondary institution. If a student has transferred from another publicly funded post-secondary institution, the institution they currently attend will confirm the previous year’s eligibility criteria.
Alberta Student Aid will mail a cheque to the recipient’s address in December for the fall term nominations or in March for the winter term nomination deadlines.
Eligible Institutions for Jason Lang Scholarship
The Jason Lang Scholarship is available at publicly funded post-secondary institutions in Alberta. According to Alberta’s designated post-secondary institutions list, these include:
- University of Alberta
- University of Calgary
- University of Lethbridge
- MacEwan University
- Mount Royal University
- NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)
- SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)
- Athabasca University
- Concordia University of Edmonton
- The King’s University
- St. Mary’s University
- Ambrose University
- Burman University
- Alberta University of the Arts
- NorQuest College
- Bow Valley College
- Olds College
- Red Deer Polytechnic
- Lethbridge Polytechnic
- Medicine Hat College
- Northwestern Polytechnic
- Keyano College
- Lakeland College
- Northern Lakes College
- Portage College
Note: Students attending private career colleges, faith-based institutions, flight schools, language programs, or professional schools are not eligible for this scholarship, even if these institutions are designated to enroll international students.
Special Considerations
Co-op and Internship Students
Co-op work terms, internships, or exchange programs may be eligible for consideration as part of a student’s course load as long as these programs are a mandatory component of the undergraduate or professional program.
Transfer Students
If a student has transferred from one eligible institution to another, the current institution will work with the previous school to confirm eligibility criteria. Students should ensure all necessary transcripts are provided to their current institution.
Tips for Maintaining Jason Lang Scholarship
Eligibility
Academic Success Strategies
To maintain eligibility for the Jason Lang Scholarship for multiple years:
- Maintain consistent study habits throughout the academic year
- Seek academic support services if struggling with specific courses
- Balance course selection to manage workload effectively
- Consider course withdrawal deadlines if a class is significantly impacting GPA
Course Load Requirements
Remember that the 80% course load requirement is crucial:
- A term is defined as a study period of up to 17 weeks in length
- Most full-time programs require at least 4 courses per semester where 5 courses is considered 100%
- This course load must be maintained in both fall and winter terms
- Some professional programs may have different definitions of full-time status
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
While the Jason Lang Scholarship is a valuable award, students are encouraged to explore other funding options as well. Many scholarships and awards are offered by Alberta’s public universities and colleges. Visit their websites to research additional opportunities for financial support.
The only notable restriction is that Jason Lang Scholarship recipients cannot simultaneously receive the Louise McKinney Scholarship for the same period of study.
Conclusion
The Jason Lang Scholarship represents Alberta’s commitment to recognizing and supporting academic excellence. For eligible students, it provides not only financial assistance but also prestigious recognition of their hard work and dedication to their studies. By understanding the specific eligibility requirements and application process, Alberta post-secondary students can position themselves to benefit from this valuable scholarship opportunity.
For the most current and institution-specific information, students should always contact their school’s financial aid or awards office directly.