Forms & Application Process

Where can I get an application form?

Application forms are available at:

• 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?

• 2023 - 24 applications are now available (via our website)

Do I need to send all the required documentation with the application?

• Failure to send all required documentation will make your application incomplete, thus it cannot be processed until all documents are received.
• The application must meet the deadline dates noted on each application.

Why do you need my Social Insurance Number?

• Applications missing the Social Insurance Number (SIN) cannot be entered into the database program.
• Your social insurance number is needed to issue the cheque to the educational institution.
• It is needed for tax purposes
• This is a mandatory requirement and failure to include this information will make the application incomplete, thus it cannot be processed.

How are applications processed?

• Applications will be processed after the applicable deadline date.
• Students will receive official confirmation in writing regarding their eligibility.
• Once scholarship applications are processed and approved, every effort will be made to forward payment to the appropriate institution by middle of September (fall term) and middle of January (winter term).
• These cheques are sent directly to the institution who may deduct any fees owing, any remaining funds may be returned to the student.
• The cheques are made co-payable to the student and the university.
• Please note that it is the student's responsibility to contact student accounts or the financial services section of the college/university to arrange co-signing the cheque before the university will post it to a student's account.

What are the Application Deadlines?

• The application deadlines are:
• 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

Eligibility

Who is NOT eligible for the scholarship?

Students enrolled in the following programs are not eligible:

• the TYP Program,
• 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

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

No. Students attending summer sessions: 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 is eligible for half of the scholarship only. However that 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.

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. (excluding the Teacher Education Award)

Are fourth year students eligible to apply for funding?

Yes (effective September 2018)

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'm going into the 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

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

No.

Can I receive funding to attend university if I've already received funding for community college/private trade school?

Yes. Please contact the African Canadian Services Branch for further information.

I graduated a few years ago and have now decided to continue my education, can I still apply for a scholarship?

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

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
• And 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

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

No, students must be enrolled full time to be considered.

What's the definition of 'Full Time Student'?

A student officially registered in at least 3 courses in a semester is considered to be "full time," whereas a part-time student is registered for less than 3 courses in a semester.

What if I'm 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.

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 hasn't the scholarship amount been posted to my student account?

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

I've submitted my application, but have changed schools/programs. What should I do?

You should inform the African Canadian Services Branch of any changes to your program or educational institution. Official confirmation of the above is required so that applications can be processed accurately and in a timely fashion. Failure to provide written confirmation of the above 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 will be made.

When will I be notified if I've received a scholarship?

Students coming directly from high school may be informed at graduation ceremonies if they are the successful recipient of an award. This can only be done if an application has been received by the African Canadian Services Branch and contains all required documentation.No student will be informed of scholarship status until final marks are 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.

When will I find out if I'm approved for a scholarship?

Scholarship processing is dependent upon deadline dates. Students will receive written confirmation within three weeks after the deadline. Exceptions to this time period are the Teacher Education Scholarship, the Science Profession Scholarship and the University Entrance Scholarship - the scholarship deadline dates for these vary and are processed accordingly.