About the Shaw Family Foundation Scholarship

The Shaw Family Foundation is proud to support students in their pursuit of education through three scholarship opportunities designed to reduce financial barriers and foster future success:

• $15,000 – Shaw Family Foundation Tuition Scholarship
• $7,500 – Shaw Family Foundation Rising Leader Award
• $5,000 – Shaw Family Foundation Achievement Award

These scholarships aim to advance education by providing meaningful financial support to students in need, helping set them on a path toward lifelong success.

Funding may be applied toward tuition, books, and other approved education expenses. In addition, recipients may have the opportunity to be mentored by a member of the Calgary Police Service, who can offer guidance and support as they continue their academic and personal journeys.

It is our hope that this combination of financial assistance and mentorship will empower recipients to further their education and access opportunities that may not have otherwise been possible.

Applicants will be considered for all three Shaw Family Foundation scholarships through a single application process.

Scholarship Eligibility

Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for the Shaw Family Foundation Scholarship.

• Applicants must reside in Calgary or the surrounding areas and must be attending a post secondary institution recognized by Alberta Education.
• Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 25.
• Students must have an unfulfilled need for financial assistance.
• Applicants must not be related to any members of the Shaw Family Foundation, Calgary Police Youth Foundation, or the Calgary Police Service.

Our Selection Committee

The Shaw Family Foundation Scholarship selection committee consists of representatives from the Calgary Police Youth Foundation, Calgary Police Service and Shaw Family Foundation.

The purpose of the selection committee is to determine the criteria and process for selecting a recipient for the annual Shaw Family Foundation Scholarships and to ensure that this process is completed in a timely, fair, and transparent manner. The final selection decision will be made by the Calgary Police Youth Foundation Board of Directors.

How to Apply

Students applying must submit the following materials for consideration to CPYF@calgarypolice.ca on or before the application deadline.

• Completed 2026 Application Form
• Two reference letters from a professional (e.g., teacher, employer, coach, or community leader) who can speak to your drive and commitment toward furthering your education. Each reference letter should be 1-2 short paragraphs (approximately 100–200 words or 4–8 sentences) and should include:
  • • A brief description of the referee’s relationship to you and how long they have known you
    • Specific examples of your work ethic, motivation, and commitment to education or personal growth
    • Insight into your character, leadership, or resilience
    • If applicable, the applicants involvement in community service or volunteer activities, including any examples of impact or initiative they have observed
    • Why they believe you would benefit from and are deserving of this scholarship

Students are also encouraged to submit a 750-word essay which includes a description of your postsecondary and career plan, what this scholarship would enable you to do, and describe what might need to change if you do not receive the scholarship. Your essay must address all the criteria listed in the rubric provided, which is used by the selection committee. Your essay should clearly explain how you meet each of the criteria and provide specific examples to support your answers.

2026 Scholarship Timeline and Deadlines:

Outlined below is the current timeline for scholarship applications, selection, and notification.

• Scholarship Announcement: April 27, 2026
• Deadline for Applications: May 22, 2026
• Application Screening & Selection (Phase 1 & 2) – May 25 – July 24, 2026
• Applicant Notifications – Week of July 27 – August 7, 2026
• Scholarship Celebration – August 25th, 2026 | 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

A Note from the Calgary Police Youth Foundation

Thank you to all students who apply for the Shaw Family Foundation Scholarship.

Please note that only one application is required to be considered for all three of scholarships, including:

• $15,000 – Shaw Family Foundation Tuition Scholarship
• $7,500 – Shaw Family Foundation Rising Leader Award
• $5,000 – Shaw Family Foundation Achievement Award

There is no need to submit separate applications for each scholarship.

Due to the limited number of scholarships available, only select applicants will be invited to participate in the second phase of screening, which will require a short video submission.

We encourage you to review the application requirements carefully and provide all the necessary documents.

We wish all applicants the best of luck and appreciate your interest in this opportunity.

About the Calgary Police Youth Foundation

The Calgary Police Youth Foundation engages the community to help provide every child and youth the opportunity to live a life free from the influence and negative impacts of crime. CPYF proudly funds nine child and youth crime prevention, education, and early intervention programs which are delivered by the Calgary Police Service and other community partners.

Through fundraising efforts and community engagement initiatives, we hope to build awareness and empathy for children and youth whose lives have been impacted by crime, assisting them at a critical time in their life and showing them a path towards a brighter future.