Awarded annually to students pursuing a graduate degree at Athabasca University (AU) who are within 15 credits of completing the AU graduate degree. Recipients will be selected based on their proven ability to balance full-time employment, family, and community roles with a significant course load (successful completion of 12 AU graduate level credits/year) and record of academic achievement. Preference will be given to applicants who plan to complete their degree within 12 months of applying for this scholarship. Further preference will be given to students who have had to overcome a significant educational, financial, or societal hurdle to pursue their program. AU Doctoral students are not eligible. Students are eligible to receive this award once.