Edmonton high school students!

Do you work hard on your academics? Are you involved in your community?

Apply for a Stars Award!

The Stars Awards recognize the academic excellence and positive impact of youth in our communities.

High school students who live in Civida housing or whose family receives rent assistance from Civida are invited to apply.

There are three award categories. You are welcome to apply in more than one category:

  1. Academic Excellence – recognizing academic achievement (minimum GPA of 75%)
  2. Community Impact – recognizing commitment to the community
  3. Academic Improvement – recognizing students who have worked to improve their grades

Awards are $100 to $250 in value. The Grade 12 applicant with the highest GPA may also be eligible to receive a $5,000 scholarship to the post-secondary institution of their choice.

The Stars Awards are presented by the Capital Region Housing Foundation.

Stars Awards Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Academic Excellence Award

The Academic Excellence Award recognizes students’ academic achievement.

  • Who's eligible for the Academic Excellence Award?

    High school students in Grades 10, 11 or 12 are invited to apply. To be eligible, you must currently live in Civida housing or your family must receive rent assistance from Civida. To qualify for this award, you need a minimum GPA of 75% based on an average of five specific courses in 2020-2021. Awards are granted as follows:

    • 75% and higher – $100 award
    • Top GPA in each of Grades 10, 11 and 12 – $250 award (Note: recipient does not also receive $100 award)
    • Top GPA in Grade 12 – $5,000 scholarship to their post-secondary institution of choice
  • How do I apply for the Academic Excellence Award?
    1. School Transcript: Enter your course grades and upload your Detailed Academic Report (final transcript) from this school year, 2020-2021.
      • Please download your “Detailed Academic Report” (final transcript) from the Government of Alberta MyPass website or your school website.
      • Ask your school office if you need help getting your detailed academic report (final transcript).
      • Note: Certified or original copies of transcripts may be required for verification purposes before awards are granted.
    2. Grade 12 students only: The Grade 12 applicant with the highest GPA may be eligible to receive a $5,000 scholarship to the post-secondary institution of their choice.
      • If you just finished Grade 12 and are planning to pursue post-secondary education in Fall 2021 or Winter 2022, you will be asked to upload a copy of your acceptance letter from the post-secondary institution.

Community Impact Award

The Community Impact Award recognizes students’ commitment to the community.

  • Who's eligible for the Community Impact Award?

    High school students in Grades 10, 11 or 12 are invited to apply. To be eligible, you must currently live in Civida housing or your family must receive a rent supplement from Civida.

    Awards are granted as follows:

    • $250 per award
    • Limit of 3 awards granted
  • How do I apply for the Community Impact Award?
    1. Short Answer Questions: Respond to the following questions in the online application form:
      • Tell us how you have made a positive impact in your community. What was the situation, and what did you do to make things better? (up to 200 words).
      • Why was this important to you, personally? (up to 200 words).
      • How is the community different as a result of your efforts? How do you know you made a difference? (up to 200 words).
      • Why do you think young people should try to make positive changes in their community? (up to 100 words).
    2. Letter of Support: Upload a letter of support from a community leader or teacher (note this person cannot be a relative).
    3. School Transcript: Upload your Detailed Academic Report (final transcript) so that we can verify your school enrollment. Your grades are not used as part of our decision-making for this award.
      • Please download your “Detailed Academic Report” (final transcript) from the Government of Alberta MyPass website or your school website.
      • Ask your school office if you need help getting your detailed academic report (final transcript).
  • How is my application scored?

    A review committee will look at your application, including your answers to the short answer questions and your Letter of Support.

    These are the criteria the review committee will use:

    Criteria  Scale – 1 (low)  Scale – 5 (high) 
    Student has insight into why people should contribute to their communities  Little insight into why they decided to take action; not clear why young people should make positive changes in the community  Significant insight into why they decided to take action; specific reasons why young people should make positive changes in the community 
    Student made a significant impact in their community  Unclear what the student did and why; little evidence of community impact   Clear explanation of what the student did and why; strong evidence of community impact; student took action despite significant extenuating circumstances 

Academic Improvement Award

The Academic Improvement Award recognizes students who have worked to improve their grades between last year and this year.

  • Who's eligible for the Academic Improvement Award?

    High school students in Grades 10, 11 or 12 are invited to apply. To be eligible, you must currently live in Civida housing or your family must receive a rent supplement from Civida. 

    Awards are granted as follows: 

    • $250 per award
    • Limit of 3 awards granted
  • How do I apply for the Academic Improvement Award?
    1. Short Answer Questions: Respond to the following questions in the online application form: 
      • Why do you think your grades improved between last school year and this school year? (up to 100 words).
      • What advice would you give to younger students about how to improve their academic grades? (up to 200 words).
    2. Letter of Support: Upload a letter of support from a community leader or teacher (note this person cannot be a relative).
    3. School Transcript – Last Year: Enter your course grades and upload your Detailed Academic Report (final transcript) from last school year, 2019-2020. 
    4. School Transcript – This Year: Enter your course grades and upload your Detailed Academic Report (final transcript) from this school year, 2020-2021. 
      • Please download your “Detailed Academic Report” (final transcript) from the Government of Alberta MyPass website or your school website.
      • Ask your school office if you need help getting your detailed academic report (final transcript).
      • Note: Certified or original copies of transcripts may be required for verification purposes before awards are granted. 
  • How is my application scored?

    A review committee will look at your application, including your answers to the short answer questions and your Letter of Support.

    These are the criteria the review committee will use: 

     

    Criteria  Scale – 1 (low)  Scale – 5 (high) 
    Student has insight into why and how people can improve academic grades  Little insight into why they improved; vague advice provided for other students  Significant insight into why they improved; specific advice provided for other students 
    Student uses new strategies for academic improvement  No new academic strategies described  Several new academic strategies referenced and described in detail 
    Student demonstrates academic improvement between this year and last year  Small increase in the student’s grade point average  Significant increase in the student’s grade point average; improvement made despite significant extenuating circumstances