Burns Police Fund oversees the distribution of educational grants for children of serving, retired or deceased Calgary police officers. These educational grants are completely funded by Senator Patrick Burns’ bequest. Below is information on the opportunities available.
If you have any questions, take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions. For further information, please email Hanna Moraru, Grants Administrator, or call 403-234-9396, ext 1.
Application Download Instructions:
1) To complete an application on your computer, please right-click on the form link and select “Save Link As…”
2) Save the file to your desktop or a folder.
3) Open a program like Adobe Reader to fill out and save the form.
Post Secondary Grants
Burns Police Fund will assist with post-secondary educational expenses for the children of Calgary police officers. Educational grants, in the amount of $1,000, are available for any child of serving, retired, or deceased police officers with the Calgary Police Service. For the purpose of this program, eligibility criteria for retired members are as follows:
- a former member of Calgary Police Service who served for at least 20 years in Calgary; and
- those who retired from Calgary Police Service because of a disability, regardless of years served.
Children of blended families are also eligible if the Calgary police officer can show financial responsibility for a minimum of three years prior to the child’s 18th birthday. In the case of a step-parent/child relationship, the police officer must currently reside with the natural parent of the child and continue to act in the role of step-parent. Applications from grandchildren or other family members cannot be considered.
Students are eligible for a MAXIMUM of $4000 of funding (up to $1000 per academic year) while in full-time attendance (minimum of 3 credit earning courses) at an accredited post-secondary institution. No additional funding will be considered after four years. Further information is available on the application form.
Note: If you qualify, you are required to re-apply yearly.
Deadline for Applications: June 30, yearly.
Applicants who are not sure what they will be taking or what school they will be attending should still apply by the deadline as late applications will not be accepted.
To apply: download and complete the application form linked below. Email your completed and signed form to policefund@burnsfund.com. You do not need to submit any additional documentation with your completed application form.
Download Application: Police Fund Application 2025-2026
Note: Please download the form first before filling it out with your information. For best results, please fill out application in Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Current Students
Once you have received your award letter, you must submit the following documents for every semester you will be receiving funding for:
- Confirmation of tuition paid or payable (either tuition receipt or screenshot showing tuition balance).
- Confirmation of full-time enrollment (either unofficial transcript, enrollment letter or course list/schedule screenshot).
- Final grades from the last funded semester (unofficial transcript).
Documents can be submitted to policefund@burnsfund.com. Funding can not be released until all documents have been submitted. Please see your award letter for specific details on your scholarship.
Special Needs Grants
Educational grants of up to $2,500 are available for any child of serving, retired, or deceased police officers with the Calgary Police Service. For the purpose of this program, eligibility criteria for retired members are as follows:
- a former member of Calgary Police Service who served for at least 20 years in Calgary; and
- those who retired from Calgary Police Service because of a disability, regardless of years served.
These educational grants are intended to assist an individual child with the costs of tuition, tutoring or educational supplies (eg. laptop) to help reduce the barrier of a severe learning disability. The grants are given to children who are attending accredited, recognized schools. The grants are limited to students in elementary, junior and senior high schools.
A child who receives a special needs grant remains eligible for post-secondary grants. One special needs application per child may be submitted per calendar year; for a maximum of four years of funding. No retroactive funding will be awarded. A maximum of two grants (per child) are available for technology purchases.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit the following documents:
- Completed application form
- A copy of the applicant’s IPP and/or psychoeducational assessment
- A copy of the applicant’s most recent report card
- A letter of reference from a resource person (teacher, EA, counsellor, etc.)
Application and supporting documents can be submitted to policefund@burnsfund.com.
Download Applications:
Special Needs Application Form
(Note: Please download the form first before filling it out with your information. For best results, please fill out application in Adobe Acrobat Reader).
