Scholarships are an excellent way for black students in Canada to finance their education, and there are many options available. From those offered by the federal and provincial governments to those offered by organizations and universities. This guide provides an overview of some of the best scholarships for black students in Canada. Start your search today and take the first step toward your educational goals.
There are certain scholarships that are targeted at a particular set of people or to a specific population or gender, for example, Black or Indigenous people. This is usually with the aim of promoting diversity and inclusion on campus and/or in a particular field where those types of people are lacking so as to create a balance. For example, scholarships for black male nurses are made available with the aim of having more black males become nurses because they are very rare in the profession.
Then you will see aviation scholarships for females which are designed to encourage more females to pursue careers in the aviation industry and law school scholarships for Hispanics to encourage and increase the number of Hispanics in the law profession because according to statistics there are very few of them in the legal profession. As I mentioned earlier, such scholarships are provided to promote diversity and inclusion and to create balance both on campus and in the workforce.
By providing scholarships to the underrepresented group, whether on campus or workforce, the financial barriers restricting the students in those groups from pursuing an academic degree are removed and now they have unrestricted access to pursue their interests and achieve their goals. The scholarships provided will motivate and encourage those students from underrepresented groups to never give up on their goals and at the same time promote diversity and inclusion both on campus and in the workforce.
Now, one of the underrepresented groups in Canada is Blacks because there are very few of them, they make up about 4.3% of Canada’s total population. This would also mean that there wouldn’t be that many black students in colleges, therefore, there would be scholarships specifically for them to promote diversity and inclusion across campuses. And as a black Canadian student, this presents a wonderful opportunity for you.
If you are a black student in Canada, you will be eligible for several scholarships to support your post-secondary education, however, general scholarships can be very competitive which is why we have brought together a list of scholarships for black students in Canada. Since they are specifically for black students that means the competition will be lesser compared to scholarships that are meant for every student in Canada.
Without any further ado, discover the best scholarships for black students in Canada and start your journey to academic success. You deserve the best chance to achieve your dreams!
Table of Contents
Best Scholarships For Black Students In Canada
For black students in Canada, the pursuit of higher education can be financially challenging. But with the help of scholarships, you can find the support you need to achieve your educational goals. There are a variety of scholarships available, from federal and provincial awards to scholarships offered by organizations and universities.
So, if you’re a black student in Canada looking for financial assistance, there are options out there for you. This guide will explore the best scholarship opportunities available and details on their requirements and eligibility criteria. Let’s dive in…
The scholarships for black students in Canada are:
- UBC Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program
- Blanche Macdonald Black Canadian Scholarship Program
- Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) National Scholarship
- Afropolitan Scholarship Fund Program
- Black Canadian Scholarship Fund
- Toronto Metropolitan University Black Student Network Scholarships & Funding
- The University of Toronto Awards for Black Students
- Black Education Fund (BEF)
- The University of Ottawa International English Scholarships
- Black Law Students Association of Canada Scholarships
- Black Students in Canada Fund
- Dalhousie University Scholarships for Black Students
1. UBC Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program
The Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program was launched in 2021 for black Canadian scholars in UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. Recipients of the award will participate in a range of programming and support designed to make them thrice at UBC. The Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program is an annual program and supports scholars with funding up to $20,000 per year entering an undergraduate degree.
To be eligible, you must self-identify as Black, enter directly from high school or transfer from another college in Canada, be a citizen, permanent resident, or protected person in Canada, be in good academic standing, and meet all UBC admissions requirements, demonstrate financial need, and apply to a direct entry undergraduate program at UBC with no previous degree.
2. Blanche Macdonald Black Canadian Scholarship Program
The Blanche Macdonald Black Canadian Scholarship Program is offering one million dollars to deserving black Canadian students to support their education. To be eligible, you must self-identify as a black Canadian or black Canadian permanent resident and applicants must have completed high school or be 19 years old by the first day of the program.
The program was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and it is an annual scholarship.
3. Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) National Scholarship
This is one of the scholarships for black Canadian students offered by an organization. To be eligible for the BBPA National Scholarship, applicants must have high academic achievement, demonstrate financial need, and contribute to the black community.
4. Afropolitan Scholarship Fund Program
The Afropolitan Scholarship Fund was created in 2017 to help bridge the gap and make education more accessible to black students who cannot go to university due to financial constraints. By establishing this program, the organization believes that black students will be equipped with better access to the Canadian workforce, greater social and economic participation, better salaries, and good health overall.
The organization hopes to offer scholarships every year to black Canadian students with dreams of going to college and attaining degrees. The scholarships provided vary from year to year in terms of amount and value so bookmark the page and check in regularly so that you don’t miss the next scholarship.
5. Black Canadian Scholarship Fund
Are you a black Canadian student from Ottawa who would like to go to college? If you are then here is an opportunity that you should not miss out on. The Black Canadian Scholarship Fund is the opportunity you are looking for as it will provide you with financial support for your college education. The fund was set up to encourage academic excellence and promote community leadership.
Therefore, it is awarded to the best and brightest young black student in Ottawa, Canada. The scholarship is made available every year so if the deadline for the current year has passed, check again next year or contact the donor to learn about the next scholarship availability.
6. Toronto Metropolitan University Black Student Network Scholarships & Funding
Toronto Metropolitan University provides financial assistance to support the needs of Black students pursuing studies at the University, these awards recognize excellence. With the aid of these scholarships, black students can pursue a post-secondary education without worrying so much about finance.
There are over 13 different scholarships for black students and other underrepresented minorities. There are also other funding programs as well to assist black students with their research and innovations they might be working towards.
7. The University of Toronto Awards for Black Students
Every year, the University of Toronto offers scholarships to thousands of students based on a variety of eligibility criteria. There are over a hundred different scholarships offered annually by U of T to every student but some of these scholarships are dedicated to self-identifying Black students and they are also automatically considered for Admission Awards and National Scholarship.
The awards specifically set aside for black students are:
- U of T Engineering Entrance Scholarship for Black Students
- A.L. Cochrane Scholarship
- Robert Davis & Joseph Chen Access and Diversity Bursary
- LAPORTE Award in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
Each of these scholarships has its diverse eligibility criteria but they are all for black students in Canada.
8. Black Education Fund (BEF)
BEF is a volunteer not-for-profit organization that raises funds to create scholarships and make a sustainable impact on the lives of Black students and helps to empower them to succeed. So, there are different scholarships awarded each year based on the amount that was raised in that year, so, you may want to keep an eye out and bookmark the scholarship page.
9. The University of Ottawa International English Scholarships
The University of Ottawa International English Scholarships is for students from African countries newly admitted into a full-time academic degree program at the University of Ottawa. Students from India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, or Vietnam are also eligible for the scholarships and they, including African students, will be automatically considered for an Entrance or Excellence scholarship.
10. Black Law Students Association of Canada Scholarships
Here is a special scholarship for black students who want to pursue law and are looking for financial support. Black students who wish to pursue a law degree at any Canadian law school are eligible to apply for the BLSA Canada Scholarship. You must have been accepted or newly enrolled in a JD or LLB program at an accredited law school in Canada to be eligible.
11. Black Students in Canada Fund
Black Students in Canada Fund was established in 2020 by the Vancity Community Foundation. The fund aims to support black students in Canada going to college with up to $5,000 in grants every year. Identification of grant recipients will occur in partnership with Registered Canadian Charities run by and for Black communities.
12. Dalhousie University Scholarships for Black Students
Dalhousie University is one of the universities in Canada offering scholarships to Black students. At Dalhousie, there are several awards for Black students students of African Descent, and African Nova Scotian students. There are different awards therefore students are required to submit a General Entrance Award Application to be considered for all the relevant entrance awards.
Among the scholarships for Blacks are First Nations and Indigenous Black Student Scholarships which offer a total of $32,000 for 4 years to Indigenous Black and First Nations students from Atlantic Canada students in good academic standing and financial need. Then there is the Forsyth Family NS Scholarship that offers up to $80,000 for 4 years to Black African Nova Scotian students who demonstrate financial need and extra-curricular involvement.
Conclusion
So, now you have an overview of the scholarships for black students in Canada. There are many opportunities out there to help you reach your educational goals and open up a world of opportunities. It’s important to remember that applying for scholarships can be a competitive process, but it’s worth the effort.
Remember, the key to securing a scholarship is to be prepared and to apply early. With a little research and hard work, you can find the support you need to succeed. Start exploring your options today, and take the first step towards a successful future. It’s up to you to make your dreams a reality.
Recommendations
- 10 Best 1-year Certificate Programs That Pay Well in Canada (Plus their Average Salary)
. - 15 Highest Paying Engineering Jobs In Canada
. - Top 9 MBA Programs in Canada Without GMAT
. - Top 35 Scholarships for First-year College Students in the US, UK, Canada, Australia
. - 7 Swimming Scholarships in Canada