About the Scholarships

Established in 1986, the BBPA National Scholarship Fund is a national scholarship program and eligible candidates from any part of Canada may apply.  Brief descriptions of existing scholarships are currently posted to the BBPA National Scholarship Fund’s website at www.bbpa.org . These descriptions are updated periodically. In 2016 the BBPA granted 46 new and renewable scholarships valued at approximately $150,000. were granted. Over the past 30 years the BBPA Scholarship Fund has granted approximately 950 scholarships totalling $3.6 million. The number of scholarships that will be available for 2018 will be finalized at a later date. As you prepare your 2018 scholarship application, consider the following definitions:

Scholarships: Financial aid provided to a student in order to fund his/her academic studies. Unlike a loan, a scholarship does not require repayment. Scholarships are granted based on criteria outlined by the person or institution granting the award, including academic merit, financial need, extracurricular activities and other distinctions.

Non-Renewable Scholarship: This type of scholarship is awarded for one year only. Most scholarships offered by the BBPA NSF are non-renewable.

Renewable Scholarship: A scholarship is called ‘renewable’ if its duration spans more than one year. Each year, the recipient must meet the university/college’s criteria for academic progression in order to continue receiving the scholarship. The following BBPA NSF scholarships are renewable: The TD Financial Group Scholarships, and The Dentons Canada LLP Scholarship.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SCHOLARSHIPS

The following scholarships are available to applicants for the BBPA National Scholarship Fund Scholarships. These scholarships are generously donated by individuals, families, corporations, governments and organizations. These scholarships are also donated in the context of supporting academic excellence and of facilitating the career ambitions of Black Canadian youth. The list of scholarships is subject to change.

THE SCHOLARSHIPS

The following scholarships are available to Canadian students attending accredited universities or colleges who satisfy the eligibility criteria. Please refer to the overall BBPA National Scholarships eligibility criteria.

THE BBPA LEGACY SCHOLARHIPS
BBPA Legacy Scholarships are established in the name of Black Canadians who enriched Canada with their contributions in the arts, the professions, science, business, technology, politics and other areas of endeavour. Each scholarship is in the amount of $1,000.00 – $2,000.00. BBPA Legacy Scholarships are funded by general donations and investment income from the endowment fund.

FIRST GENERATION SCHOLARSHIPS
First Generation Scholarships of $1,000.00 to $2,000.00 are available to students whose parents have not participated in post-secondary education studies. Qualified students must be residents of Ontario and must meet all other eligibility criteria of the BBPA National scholarships. First Generation Scholarships are funded by an endowment established with the proceeds of a grant from the
Government of Ontario.

TORONTO COMMUNITY HOUSING /LEADERS OF TOMORROW SCHOLARSHIPS
TorontoCommunity Housing /Leaders of Tomorrow scholarships valued at $1000.00 – $2,000.00 each, are available to students from TorontoCommunity Housing / high priority neighbourhoods in the Greater Toronto Area who are attending an accredited Canadian university or college.

Sponsored Scholarships:

THE TD BANK SCHOLARSHIPS (2) Sponsored by TD Bank, two scholarships of $7,000.00 each per year are offered. They can be renewed for up to four years for each recipient. TD Bank will also offer the option of summer employment, subject to the bank’s usual terms of summer employment, during the duration of the scholarship.

DENTONS CANADA LLP. SCHOLARSHIP This scholarship sponsored by Dentons Canada LLP. (law firm) for $5,000.00 is to be awarded to a student who is admitted to, or enrolled in, a Canadian law school in pursuit of an LLB. or J.D. degree. The student should have high academic achievement and financial need. The student should also have made a recognized contribution to the community.

THE BEST LIFESTYLE RESIDENCE SCHOLARSHIP (1) This $1,500.00 scholarship is sponsored by Ms. Pauline Christian, President of the BBPA in memory of her mother the late Queen Victoria Wellington-Wint. Scholarship to be awarded to a student with strong academics, health/fitness consciousness, demonstrated financial need, and who has made a recognized contribution in his/her community.

THE STERLING DENTAL SCHOLARSHIP (1) is a $2,000.00 scholarship sponsored by Sterling Dental, for a student interested in science and sports, who has strong academics, financial need, and has made a contribution in the community. A balanced and rounded individual.

THE HARRY JEROME LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP (1) Sponsored by the BBPA to honour Harry Jerome, an outstanding Black Canadian who was an Olympian, Officer of the Order of Canada and world renowned for his sports achievements. Equally respected for his dedication to educational and athletic opportunities for youth, Mr. Jerome was invited by Prime Minister Pierre Eliot Trudeau to help create and serve as a senior administrator in the Canadian Ministry of Sport. Reflecting this criteria, this scholarship of $ 5,000.00 is to be awarded to an applicant 18 years or older who has demonstrated superior achievement in academics, athletics and his/her involvement in helping those who need, assistance or support in the Black community.

THE DR. ANDERSON ABBOTT SCHOLARSHIP (1) The Dr. Anderson Abbott Scholarship, for $4,000.00, is for a University of Toronto student enrolled in a Health Science program at the University of Toronto. The University established the scholarship in recognition of Dr. Abbott, the first Black medical doctor to graduate from a Canadian university and an army physician/surgeon for the North in the American Civil War. For his dedication and valor, he was given a special gift, President Lincoln’s Inauguration Shawl, by Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of the U.S.
President.

THE ROBERT SUTHERLAND/HARRY JEROME ENTRANCE AWARD: established in 2008 by Queen’s University in cooperation with the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA),and the former Harry Jerome Scholarship program, to honour Robert Sutherland (BA, 1852), the first student of African heritage to graduate from Queen?s University, Ontario, Canada. As per Queen?s University, the funded scholarship is awarded to a Black student entering the first year of any direct-entry undergraduate degree program at Queen?s University, on the basis of demonstrated financial need, academic achievement and contribution to the community or other volunteer activities.

Application should be made to the Associate University Registrar (Student Awards) by March 1. Value $5,000.00 renewable for three years, providing a satisfactory academic average is maintained each year and financial need continues. Students apply to Queen’s University directly and are chosen by a committee of the Student Awards Office at Queen’s Univ.

THE BANK OF MONTREAL SCHOLARSHIPS (2) Two scholarships, for $5,000.00 each, are sponsored by the Bank of Montreal, each to be awarded to a student with academic achievement, financial need, demonstrated social responsibility through community work, and an interest in a business career.

THE CIBC SCHOLARSHIP (1) This scholarship of $5,000.00, sponsored by CIBC, is to be awarded to a student with demonstrated social responsibility through work in the community.

THE ROYAL BANK SCHOLARSHIPS (2) Sponsored by the Royal Bank of Canada, two scholarships in the amount of $4,000.00 each are offered.
Successful candidates may be enrolled in a course of study leading to a bachelor?s or master?s degree in Business Administration or a related program.

*THE SCOTIABANK SCHOLARSHIPS (2) The Bank of Nova Scotia sponsors two scholarships of $5,000.00 each that are to be awarded to two students attending a Canadian college or university enrolled in Business studies. They should have strong academics, demonstrated financial need, leadership skills and commitment to helping in their community.

*THE HSBC SCHOLARSHIP (1) Sponsored by HSBC, this scholarship of $5,000.00 is to be awarded to a student entering a Canadian college or university with demonstrated financial need, who has shown academic achievement, a strong commitment to their community, and, possibly, an interest in a business career .

THE ALRICA GORDON SCHOLARSHIP for $2,000.00, (1) is sponsored by Mr. Konata Lake, former recipient of more than one BBPA scholarship. He sponsors the scholarship in honour of his mother, Mrs. Gordon, for her support through his many years of studies. Mr. Lake has asked that the scholarship recipient be a graduate of C.I., C.W. Jeffreys, Emery Collegiate Institute, or of other Jane-Finch at risk? high schools in Toronto.

THE DR. OUIDA M. WRIGHT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP (1) Sponsored by Dr. Leebert A. Wright in the name ofthe late Dr. Ouida M. Wright, who had a lifelong aspiration for higher education and who aided and inspired thousands of young people to make education a worthwhile goal. This $4,500.00 scholarship will be awarded to a female student who has been accepted into a post-secondary degree program in one of the sciences such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology or medicine.

THE MINERVA SCHOLARSHIPS (4) Sponsored by Dr. Miriam Rossi and Mr. Renato Rossi. The four scholarships, $2,000.00 each, in honour of Dr Rossi’s grandmother, Minerva Williams Senhouse. “For more than forty years Aunt Min counseled under-privileged young people in Boston, Mass. USA.”.

THE SIX LEGACY SCHOLARSHIPS (6) , each for $1500 – $2,000.00, are sponsored by the BBPA and were established to acknowledge important contributions by members of our community which have enhanced the qualities of our every day life, in the arts, in the fields of law, education, communication science, government, as well as in athletics, research, and entrepreneurship.:

1. 1. The Hon. Lincoln Alexander Scholarship (1) is in honour of the widely respected first Black Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, who continues to emphasize the need for fairness and equity for all citizens.
2. 2. The Herb Carnegie Scholarship (1) honours the late Mr.Herb Carnegie, an outstanding athlete who fought against systemic obstacles to be acknowledged as a first rate hockey player. He was awarded the Order of Canada, to recognize his contributions helping many youth overcome obstacles to their success.
3. 3. The Portia White Scholarship, in the musical arts (1) in honour of the late Ms. Portia White, a renowned opera singer in past decades, who overcame personal obstacles to establish an out-standing musical career.
4. 4. The Al Hamilton Scholarship (1) honours the late Al Hamilton, journalist, founder of an ethno-cultural newspaper for the Black community, and a respected community activist.
5. 5. The Beverley Mascoll Scholarship (1) honours the memory of Mrs. Mascoll, a well known and respected entrepreneur who often helped out less fortunate members of our community.
6. 6. The Hon. Michaelle Jean Scholarship (1) honours the first Afro-Canadian Governor General. After the expiration of her appointment in September 2010, she continues to contribute significantly to humanitarian issues. She was named UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti, immediately after her term.

THE BBPA LEGACY SCHOLARSHIPS BBPA Legacy Scholarships are established in the name of Black Canadians who enriched Canada with their contributions in the arts, the professions, science, business, technology, politics and other areas of endeavour. Each scholarship is in the amount of $1, 000.00 – $2,000.00.   BBPA Legacy Scholarships are funded by general donations and investment income from the endowment fund.

FIRST GENERATION SCHOLARSHIPS First Generation Scholarships of $1,000.00 to $2,000.00 are available to students whose parents have not participated in post-secondary education studies. Qualified students must be residents of Ontario and must meet all other eligibility criteria of the BBPA National scholarships. First Generation Scholarships are funded by an endowment established with the proceeds of a grant from the Government of Ontario.

TORNTO COMMUNITY HOUSING /LEADERS OF TOMORROW SCHOLARSHIPS Four Toronto Community Housing / Leaders of Tomorrow scholarships valued at $1,000.00 – $2,000 each are available to students from Toronto Community Housing / high priority neighbourhoods in the Greater Toronto Area who are attending an accredited Canadian university or college.

THE HARRY GAIREY SCHOLARSHIP (1) for $2,000.00, is sponsored by the BBPA, in honour of Mr. Gairey’s important role as a community activist and his many valuable contributions to the Black community over the years.

THE FIRST GENERATION SCHOLARSHIPS: As the name implies, The First Generation Scholarship is for $2000 each and are granted to 3 individuals who are the first in her family to attend university.

THE HUMANITARIAM SCHOLARSHILP (1) $2,000.00 is for a student at risk of being forced to leave his/her studies due to exceptional financial need and no possibility of other financial help. Sponsored by BBPA.

THE SHELDON-SPENCE SCHOLARSHIP : (1) $2,000.00 scholarship  donated by Jacqueline Spence, Superintendent of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), and Dr. Dominick Sheldon, physician with the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Both donors have a history of community service with a focus on educational development. The donation of this scholarship underscores their commitment to facilitating the post-secondary educational ambitions of Black Donor Criteria: There are no additional criteria other than academic, financial need and community service.

THE COMFORTABLE RETIREMENT LIVING SCHOLARSHIP  (1) $1000.00 scholarship donated by Sam Riad, CEO of Comfortable Retirement Living which is a leading provider of seniors’ accommodation, care and services.There are no additional criteria other than academic, financial need and community service.

THE DELOITTE CANADA SCHOLARSHIP (2) $1,000.00 donated by Deloitte Canada. In addition to the three criteria of academic, financial need and community service, this scholarship requires enrolment in a program in one of the following categories: engineering, accounting and business. The Deloitte Canada Scholarship is donated by Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP, one of Canada’s leading professional services firms, provides audit, tax, consulting and financial advisory services to a wide range of Canadian and international clients. Deloitte LLP is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, which is a network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. The scholarships are managed by the Canadian Black Professionals Network (CBPN), a firm-sponsored community given to building and leveraging an inclusive culture in the workplace. Members of CBPN will provide scholarship recipients with career-mentoring services (restrictions apply).

THE JAMAICA NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP  (1) $2,000.00 donated by Jamaica National. There are no additional criteria other than academic, financial need and community service. Jamaican National (JN) Canada Representative Office opened in Toronto in 1991. It was established to meet the needs of the Jamaican Diaspora resident in Canada who wanted a banking relationship with a Jamaican financial institution. Jamaica national awards this scholarship in support of the Black and Caribbean communities in Canada.

THE MORLEY DOUGLAS & RUBY ISABEL LEEK SCHOLARSHIP (1) $2000.00 scholarship donated by Rob Leek and Natalie Jenner. The scholarship commemorates the menory of the parents of Ron Leek. As well, this scholarship underscores the desire on the part of Rob Leek and Natalie Jenner to be a ‘difference maker’ in facilitating the socio-economic development of Canadian youth, particularly, Black Canadian youth, by way of higher education.There are no additional criteria other than academic, financial need and community service.

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