While planning my teenagers’ high school course selections, we naturally chatted about their future ambitions. Both hope to attend university or college, so I figured it’d be smart to check out the tuition fees.
Well…. since that eye-opening Google search – Insert side-eye here – I’ve become slightly obsessed with finding scholarships for Black students.
My kids are pretty set on pursuing higher education, and I’d rather not let my pesky heart palpitations derail their dreams.
If your high schoolers are anything like mine -joining the 90% of Black students aiming for college or university – then figuring out how to pay for it is likely high on your list too.
90% of Canadian Black youth want a degree
The Cost of Higher Education in Canada
Compared to some countries, Canada’s post-secondary education is considered “cheap.”
But “cheap” is a relative term.
According to Universities Canada, tuition fees range from $6,000 to $10,000 per year. Beyond tuition, there are incidental costs like textbooks, transit, and supplies, which can add another $2,000 to $4,000 annually.
If your ambitious little genius gets accepted into a university they can’t commute to, that will cost you! For the full-time student studying far from home, first-year residence fees, rent and other living expenses can easily tack on another $4,000 to $8,000 per year. Add in groceries or meal plans, and the financial picture can be overwhelming.
Look, we want to support their dreams. But after nearly two decades of covering everything – from sports leagues to pricey Orthodontics – it’s fair to say we could use a little help.
Sure, investing in an undergraduate degree pays off in the long run, but we need to figure out how to cover the costs in the short term.
Sans the palpitations.
Scholarships: A Financial Lifeline
Scholarships, bursaries, and grants are a crucial way to ease the financial burden. Unlike student loans, they don’t require repayment—making them highly competitive. However, many go unclaimed every year!
According to GrantMe, over $10 million in scholarship money goes unclaimed annually in Canada. This staggering figure highlights the importance of awareness and proactive application efforts.
Students who start researching early can give themselves the best chance to secure some of this funding.
Every year $10 million dollars in scholarship
money goes unclaimed in Canada.
Show Me the Money: Scholarships for Black Students
To help you get started, here’s a curated list of scholarships and bursaries available to Black students across various fields of study in Canada. Eligibility requirements may vary, such as community service or extracurricular activities, but many of these opportunities can significantly ease the financial burden, allowing our future leaders to focus on studying rather than paying for their undergraduate program.
BFCN Scholarship Directory 2024
- The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN) offers a Scholarship Directory that lists of dozens of scholarships for Black students. Check carefully to ensure you meet the criteria and the application deadlines.
BBPA National Scholarship Fund
- The Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) National Scholarship Fund supports academic excellence among Black Canadian youth. They have numerous awards and are a must-stop site for Black students looking for scholarships. Awards consider high academic achievement, financial need, and contributions to the Black community. Learn more at the BBPA website.
BlackNorth Initiative (BNI) Scholarships
- BNI offers bursaries such as the RioCan and BNI Canadian Real Estate Bursary (up to $5,300 for university and $2,650 for trade education) and the Athletes on Track Scholarship, which provides financial support and mentorship for Black student-athletes. Visit the BNI website for full details.
EDC: Black Community Leader Scholarship
- The EDC Black Community Leader Scholarship supports Black Canadians who are actively involved in causes important to Black communities. Students must be pursuing post-secondary studies in fields that support the Black community in areas such as Business and Finance, Human Resources, Digital Design, or Information Technology and demonstrate community leadership. More information is available on the EDC Scholarships page.
RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Black Youth
- This program awards 20 scholarships annually, valued at up to $10,000 per year for four years. Recipients also gain access to mentorship, tutoring, and internship opportunities. Explore more at RBC’s Future Launch site.
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Scholarships
- The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) offers scholarships like the $1,000 Ann Newman Scholarship for children or family of CBTU members and Black youth, and the Young Women’s Post-Secondary Scholarship, which honours community activism. Learn more on the CBTU website. Find more information at the CBTU website.
Black Canadian Scholarship Fund
- Some scholarships target students from various regions. For example, the Black Canadian Scholarship Fund was established in 1996 by the Ottawa Community Foundation. This Scholarship Fund provides annual scholarships to outstanding young, Black students in Ottawa.
Scotiabank x myBlueprint 2024 Scholarships
- myBlueprint, which most students are familiar with partners with Scotiabank to provide scholarships. Students can access the scholarship from their myBlueprint Account (Tasks Section) or by clicking Apply Now on the Scholarship Landing Page.
Young, Gifted and Black Scholarship
- The Young, Gifted, and Black Scholarships are offered by the Parents of Black Children and the Black Education Fund to support Black students from Ontario. The applicants must be accepted into a post-secondary institution that is located in Canada.
Scholarships offered by Professional Associations and Corporations for Black students
It is also critical to check into awards, bursaries and scholarships offered by professional associations and corporations. Professional associations and businesses seeking students in Health Sciences, Nursing, Medicine, Engineering, and Journalism – to name just a few – offer great opportunities.
- Ya’ll – we need more Black Teachers! The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario awards an annual bursary, valued at $12,500 to aspiring Black educators
- The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) offers scholarships to encourage Black students to pursue research careers in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, or humanities.
- The Canadian Institute of Planners offers a number of scholarships including the Diversity Impact Bursary which awards $5,000 to Black students pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in planning.
- SickKids offers a $5,000 Scholarship Award for Black Nursing Students pursuing careers as pediatric nurses.
- The Canadian Nurses Foundation provides scholarships, for BIPOC nursing students.
- The Canadian Association of Black Journalists offers $2,500 scholarships for Black journalism students.
- The Reason One Mentorship & Scholarship is awarded to Black students in digital-related programs.
- Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region (CCAWR) offers scholarships to Canadians of Caribbean heritage
Many Professional Associations and Corporations offer Scholarship Funds to Support Black Students
The Importance of Admission Scholarships
As another important way to find scholarships, students and families should closely examine admission scholarships for undergraduate students at their chosen schools.
Many schools automatically consider students for admission awards when they apply for undergraduate studies. Often, these scholarships request students complete a General Entrance Award Application. Others that don’t require a separate application may require essays or other supplemental information. In some cases, students cannot wait for their offer of admission to apply, or they will miss the application deadline for the scholarships!
It’s important to research and understand the eligibility requirements and expectations. Some of these entrance awards include:
- University of Waterloo: The Waterloo Black Brilliance Sankofa Award provides up to $20,000 over eight terms for Arts students. Other awards target Math, Engineering, and Accounting.
- University of Toronto: The Dr. Anderson Abbott Award and several scholarships and bursaries are available to Black students in its Medical program. As well, the University’s Excellence is Black award also offers support for Black students enrolled in any U of T program.
- University of Western Ontario: offers several admission scholarships for Black students, some of these scholarships award enough cash to cover tuition for each of the four years.
- Dalhousie University: offers Black Students several entrance scholarship awards. Additionally, Dalhousie’s site lists several bursaries and awards that cater to students from various backgrounds like the Richard and Melda Murray Scholarship for Jamaican engineering students.
- University of British Columbia (UBC): The Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program offers financial and institutional support for Black Canadian Scholars with scholarships valued at up to $80,000.
- York University offers scholarships for Black high school students with an admission average of 75% or higher.
- McMaster University: offers multiple admission scholarships for Black youth including their Brighter World Entrance Award for Black students.
Hot tip: Closely review admission scholarships for every institution you apply to.
Budgeting for Success
Even with scholarships, budgeting wisely is key. Here are some tips:
- Create a Monthly Budget: Track expenses for tuition, books, housing, and food.
- Limit Debt: Use scholarships and non-repayable grants to reduce reliance on loans.
- Find Part-Time Work: Many universities offer on-campus jobs that fit student schedules.
- Explore OSAP: Financial assistance provided by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) can help cover costs, but be mindful of repayment terms.
Leverage Community Support
Black Canadian students can also benefit from mentorship programs, bursaries, and mutual aid networks. These resources not only provide financial aid but also create a supportive community to help students thrive. Continue to research and use resources like the Scholarships Canada database to explore your scholarship opportunities!
As well the process of applying to university or for scholarships can be overwhelming. Some organizations, like the Black Education Fund offer workshops or information sessions to help with the scholarship search. These are a great opportunity for Black students to learn more about the scholarship application process.
Scholarships for Black students are worth the research
Pursuing post-secondary education is a significant investment, but with the right strategies and resources, it doesn’t have to be financially overwhelming. Scholarships, bursaries, and community support can help Black students achieve their educational goals one application at a time.
This is not an exhaustive list of scholarships available to Black students in Canada or the eligibility criteria! But I hope these ideas lead the student in your life (even if that’s You!) on the path to funding their dreams of post-secondary education.
Please note – Parenting while Black is in no way affiliated with any of these programs. Check their websites for more information regarding application criteria, scholarship amounts and deadlines. And of course, check out and apply to all scholarships – not just those available to Black students.
The earlier you start researching the better. Hopefully, with some research, we can leave fewer scholarship dollars on the table every year.
I would love to know about other scholarships for our kids. If you know of any scholarships for Black students not mentioned here, please drop them in the comments!
