UNB's Free Tuition Contest Gives Last Year's Winner Peace of Mind

Sam Kyataka won UNB's 2023 Free Tuition Contest. Could you be this year's winner?

It was mid-June when Sam Kyataka, in his final year of high school, found out he was the winner of the University of New Brunswick (UNB) annual free tuition contest. He was sitting in class at Fredericton High School when he was called to the office, "I thought I was in trouble," he said.

Like many students entering their first year at UNB, Sam entered the contest online. "I never thought I would win," he said, "but I am so grateful I did." He called his mother right away to share the news. "She was very excited. She couldn't believe it at first," he said.

Learn about Sam Kyataka, UNB's 2023 contest winner

Sam was born in Congo and grew up in Uganda. He and his family moved to New Brunswick in 2018. "Growing up the way we did, my mom taught us not to take anything for granted."

Sam is the first person in his family to attend a Canadian university and is pursuing a degree in computer science with the goal of becoming a software engineer.

The win couldn't have come at a better time, he said, because money at home was tight. Sam said it has taken a huge amount of stress off his family.

"Winning the free scholarship has really helped me focus on my academics instead of stressing about financing my education," he said. "It really means a lot."

"Before the announcement, I was thinking of how I was going to pay my first year of tuition. It just gave me a peace of mind."

You could win free first-year tuition for Fall 2024!

Do you want to be like Sam and have your first year of tuition at UNB covered?

Entering your name in the draw is easy! Simply request more information from UNB by subscribing for future student updates to be entered in our draw for free first-year tuition for Fall 2024.

The contest is open to all residents of Canada (excluding students from Quebec), Canadian citizens, or permanent residents who are currently enrolled in high school. You can also enter the contest by completing a paper or online ballot by providing your name, address, email address, grade, and school at any UNB Student Recruitment Event (virtual or in-person) or by taking a virtual or in-person tour of UNB Fredericton and/or Saint John.

You can also enter the contest multiple times: one online entry per prospective student and entry per Student Recruitment Event, and one entry per UNB campus tour.

Are you planning on beginning university in 2025 or later? Although you're not eligible for the free tuition at this time, you could still win a MacBook Air or an iPad Pro!