Forms & Application Process

Where can I get an application form?

Application forms are available at the following:

• Department of Education & Early Childhood Development (African Canadian Services Branch): https://www.ednet.ns.ca/acs/scholarships-grants
• high schools across the province (contact your Guidance Counsellor or African Nova Scotian Student Support Worker)
• Black Educators Association and other community organizations

When will the new application forms be available?

The application forms for 2023 are now available (via our website).
 

When are the Application Deadlines?

• University Entrance Scholarship: May 31, 2023
• Post-Secondary Award: July 28, 2023
• Community College/Trade School Award: July 28, 2023
• Performing Arts Award: July 28, 2023
• Teacher Education Scholarship: July 28, 2023
• Science Profession Scholarship: July 28, 2023

Do I need to send all the required documents in with the application?

Students are encouraged to submit the application form before the deadline date, if possible, even though you may not have all of the required documents. Submit the application form to ensure that you do not miss the deadline date. Applications missing required documents are considered incomplete and will be processed once the required documents are received.
 

Why do you need my Social Insurance Number (SIN)?

• SINs, which are mandatory to access this government program, are unique numbers which are used to identify each applicant who has applied for a scholarship
• If you have not provided a SIN, your application is considered incomplete and cannot be processed and/or entered in the scholarship database
• Your SIN is also required so that we can issue a co-payable cheque to the student and the institution you will attend
• Your SIN is also required so that government can issue applicable tax forms to students for tuition tax purposes

Do I need to send in a copy of my high school transcript?

Yes, regardless of the scholarship/award you apply for, if you have not received prior funding under this program, you are required to send in a copy of your high school transcript.

When are applications processed?

Although applications are normally processed within 2-3 weeks after the applicable deadline date or sooner if possible, depending on the volume of applications received we encourage students to apply as early as possible. Every effort is made to ensure students receive official confirmation in writing regarding their eligibility after the applicable deadline dates. However all documents must be submitted to if all documents have been received.
 

Where are the co-payable cheques sent?

Once scholarship applications are processed and approved, every effort will be made to forward the co-payable scholarship cheque to the appropriate institution by the middle of September or sooner if possible (fall term) and the second installment will be sent by the middle of January (winter term) or sooner if possible.

The cheques which are made co-payable to the student and the university are sent directly to the institution who may deduct any fees owing, any remaining funds may be returned to the student by the institution.

Please note that it is the student's responsibility to contact student accounts or the financial services section of the college/university you will be attending to arrange co-signing the cheque before the university will post it to a student's account.

Eligibility

Who is eligible for these scholarships?

Each scholarship has specific requirements. However, in general all the following statements apply to the scholarships for African Nova Scotian Students:

• An African Nova Scotian (Black) student with genealogical/ancestral connections to an historical African Nova Scotian/Black community; and/or
• An African Nova Scotian (Black) student is a Canadian citizen whose parent(s)/guardian(s) is(are) of African descent (Black); and
• Applicants must be residents of Nova Scotia
• Applicants must be Canadian citizens
• Applicants must be a graduate of the Nova Scotian School System

Who is NOT eligible for the scholarship?

Students enrolled in the following programs are Not eligible:

• Dalhousie’s Transition Year Program (TYP)
• the IBM Dalhousie Law Program
• individuals already possessing an undergraduate degree (not eligible for the Post-Secondary Award)
• students pursuing a Masters or Doctorate Level Degree,
• and students who have received the maximum allowable funding
• programs with no tuition

I have not attended high school in Nova Scotia, can I still apply?

No, however please contact the African Canadian Services Branch for additional information.
 

Can I apply for a scholarship to attend a summer session?

No students attending summer sessions or periods of instruction normally lasting six to seven weeks during the months of May through August, are not eligible to apply for funding under this program.
 

Am I eligible for the full scholarship if I attend second semester only?

No if a student will not begin their program until the second semester, the student may be considered for half of the scholarship. However the application deadlines do not change. If a student will not attend until the January semester, they must still submit an application form prior to the deadline date as outlined on the application form.
 

I am a part-time student, am I eligible for a scholarship?

No students must be enrolled full time to be considered.
 

What is the definition of 'Full Time and Part-Time Student'?

A student officially registered in at least three courses in a semester is considered "full time," whereas a part-time student is registered for less than three courses in a semester.
 

Can I still apply for the scholarship if I am on Academic Probation (at university)?

Students must maintain a minimum quality point average of at least 1.70 (60%). Students on academic probation during the first year, will only be considered for partial funding the following year, based on improved academic standing. An application form must be submitted with supporting documentation as per deadline dates. Students will be advised in writing of the status of their application.
 

Can mature students apply for these scholarships?

Yes, please contact the African Canadian Services Branch for further information.
 

Do I have to attend a university, private career college or trade school within this province/country?

No for most of the scholarships, however some exceptions apply (i.e. Teacher Education Award).
 

Are fourth year students eligible to apply for funding?

Yes, effective September 2018, please contact the African Canadian Services Branch for further information.

Are students who enroll in distance education courses eligible for funding?

No students who enroll in distance education courses are not eligible for funding under this program.
 

Are students who enroll in an upgrading program eligible for the scholarship?

No students enrolled in upgrading programs are not eligible for funding under this program.
 

I already have an undergraduate degree, and am pursuing a dual undergraduate degree, am I still eligible for funding?

No.
 

Can I apply for the Teacher Education Scholarship directly from high school?

No students must have an undergraduate degree and be accepted into a Bachelor of Education Program or be enrolled in an integrated education program in which case the student could apply for funding during their last two years of study.
 

If I am enrolled in a Bachelor of Science Program directly from high school, can I apply for the Science Scholarship?

No students must possess an undergraduate degree to be eligible for funding under this program. Exceptions to this rule include students entering the Engineering degree program, however students must first complete at least two years of this program before applying for a Science Profession Scholarship.
 

Can I receive funding to attend university if I have already received funding to attend a community college/private trade school?

Yes, please contact the African Canadian Services Branch for further information.
 

I graduated a few years ago from high school in Nova Scotia but did not apply for a scholarship. I have decided to continue my education, can I still apply for a scholarship?

Yes, students can apply for either the Post-Secondary Award or the Community College Award (see application forms for specific criteria).
 

After You Apply

How do I find out if the university, private career college or trade school has received a cheque for me?

It is the responsibility of the student to call the Student Accounts and/or Financial Services section of the institution to find out if the scholarship cheque has been received.
 

Why was scholarship/award not posted to my student account?

As cheques are made co-payable to the student and the institution, the student may have to co-sign the cheque before it can be applied to your student account. This posting is done by the applicable institution, not the African Canadian Services Branch.
 

How and when is the scholarship paid out?

Every effort is made by the African Canadian Services Branch to forward payment to the institutions within the first fourteen days in September, with the second installment being forwarded within the first fourteen days of January. Scholarships are paid out in two equal installments (with the exception of the Teacher & Science Profession Scholarship). The cheques are made co-payable to the student and the institution and are sent directly to the institution who may deduct any fees owing. Any remaining funds will be returned to the student by the university.
 

I have already submitted an application, but have since changed the institution I will attend as well as the program of study I am enrolled in. What should I do?

You are required to contact the African Canadian Services Branch to advise them of any changes to your program or the institution. This requires sending in official confirmation (confirmation of enrollment) so that applications can be processed accurately and in a timely fashion. Failure to provide written confirmation may result in a cheque being forwarded to the wrong institution which will cause further delays in the application process. An updated acceptance letter to your new institution will be required before any changes can be made.
 

When will I be notified if I have been approved for a scholarship/award?

Students coming directly from high school who have submitted an application form with the required documentation may be informed at graduation ceremonies. However these students will only be informed of scholarship status when their final marks have been received by the African Canadian Services Branch. Following graduation ceremonies, official confirmation in writing to successful recipients will be as per the application process - August. 

Although scholarship processing is dependent upon deadline dates; the African Canadian Services Branch makes every effort to ensure students receive written confirmation within 2-3 weeks after the deadline date, keeping in mind the volume of scholarship applications received. 

Exceptions to this include the Teacher Education Scholarship, the Science Profession Scholarship, and the University Entrance Scholarship - the scholarship deadline dates for these vary, are reviewed by a Scholarship Committee, and are processed accordingly.