Description
Hosted by NBCC, this program supports young Black Canadians in their post-secondary studies with monetary awards and community mentorship. Each year, bursaries of $1000 (renewable up to four years) will be given to students (ages 17-25) who demonstrate involvement, or readiness to become involved, in their local Black community, as well as financial need. Funds may be used towards such costs as tuition, books, and living expenses. (Each recipient must have strong academic achievement, demonstrated financial need,strong leadership skills, contribution to the black community/or other community or other volunteer activity
In addition to receiving the bursary, each recipient will be enrolled in our Mentorship Program and paired with a mentor from the Black community. We believe that mentorship can fill in some key gaps in the education system and help students overcome barriers often faced by Black students (including personal, social, academic, and institutional/systemic barriers). Mentors can help students navigate life both on and off campus, and can offer tangible strategies and resources that are specific to Black students and the unique challenges that they face.
~Scroll down to view how to apply for this scholarship~
Value
Five bursaries of $1000 each (renewable up to four years for a total of $4000 per student)
Mission
To enrich the education of our Black youth and give them the resources, strategies, and connections they need to surmount barriers and achieve success.
Mission
To enrich the education of our Black youth and give them the resources, strategies, and connections they need to surmount barriers and achieve success.
Interested in becoming a mentor? Email WOKEEDU@NBCCEDMONTON.CA for more information.
About the Woke Edu Mentorship Program
We know that Black students often face a unique set of challenges both on and off campus. When it comes to academic and professional success, there are many elements at play, including personal, social, academic, and institutional factors. The Woke Edu Mentorship Program was established to facilitate connections between Black students and mentors from the Black community. Mentorship can help students feel less isolated and more connected, and can accelerate their personal and professional growth by giving them strategies to deal with obstacles as well as an entrypoint into the professional community. Mentors can help students navigate their studies, job searches, careers, and lives as Black men and women. We curate a list of talented and respected mentors from the local Black community and pair them with students based on area of study, career field, and interests (as much as possible). We ask mentors and mentees to devote 2-5 hours per month to participating in our Mentorship Program.
Eligibility
To apply, you must
- be of African descent and self-identify as a Black Canadian.
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in the Edmonton area.
- be (or turn) from 17 to 25 years of age during the period of funding.
- have obtained a high school diploma.
- be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution (Fall and Winter semesters).
- demonstrate financial need.
- demonstrate involvement or willingness to become involved in your local Black community (e.g. membership in your school’s Black students’ association, volunteering for a local
- Black organization, etc.).
- be prepared to participate in the Woke Edu Mentorship Program.
You may reapply annually for this bursary, and receive an additional $1000 each year for a total of four years, provided you
- maintain continuous post-secondary enrolment (Fall and Winter semesters).
- remain an active member of the Black community.
- continue to participate in the Woke Edu Mentorship Program.
How to apply
Step 1: Confirm your eligibility (see “Eligibility” section above).
Step 2: Gather the necessary documents:
New applicants must submit the following with their application:
- Letter of acceptance from their post-secondary institution
- Letter of reference from a community member, instructor, employer, or other prominent figure in your life describing your personal attributes, community involvement, discipline, and suitability for the Woke Edu Bursary and Mentorship Program (relatives cannot provide this letter of reference)
- Proof of full-time enrollment in the upcoming year
Previous bursary recipients must submit the following with their application:
- Unofficial transcripts from the previous academic year (Fall and Winter semesters), or other proof of completion of full-time courses
- Proof of full-time enrollment in the upcoming year
Step 3: Apply by email on or before the application deadline:
- Email completed application and required attachments to WOKEEDU@NBCCEDMONTON.CA.
If you require assistance with your application, please contact the Bursary Committee at WOKEEDU@NBCCEDMONTON.CA (response times may exceed 24 hours).
PLEASE NOTE: Any misrepresentation of facts to the Bursary Committee may result in disqualification from the award competition. If such misrepresentation is discovered after funds have been dispersed, these funds may become repayable, at the discretion of the Bursary Committee.
Application Deadline: The deadline to submit completed applications and all supporting material is [THURSDAY, JULY 15TH, 2021 AT 11:59 PM]. Applications submitted after this deadline and incomplete applications will not be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Woke Edu” mean?
“Woke Edu” means “Woken Education” and accounts for the perspectives and challenges that are unique to the Black community. This concept represents social and political awareness in education and the amplifying of voices and thoughts that advance us as a community.
“Woke Edu” means that we take it upon ourselves as the Black community to ensure our own success through education, mentorship, advocacy, and the sharing of resources.
Do I need to attend Spring and Summer classes to be eligible for the Woke Edu bursary?
No. Recipients of the Woke Edu Bursary must enrol full-time in Fall and Winter studies. Spring and Summer enrolment does not affect eligibility.
I’m in my final year of university. Can I apply for this bursary for just one year?
Yes. You may apply for this bursary for just one year. Preference will be given to students entering their first year of studies.
I am currently upgrading. Am I eligible for this bursary?
No. At this time, this bursary will be given to students attending post-secondary institutions. Students who are upgrading are encouraged to apply once their upgrading is complete and they are enrolled in a post-secondary program.
Are graduate students eligible for this bursary?
No. At this time, this bursary is not open to graduate students.
I am enrolled in a one-year certificate program at MacEwan University. Can I apply for this bursary?
Yes. Students attending full-time post-secondary programs of any length are eligible for this bursary.
I am in a trades program. Can I apply for this bursary?
Yes. This bursary is open to students in trades programs.
How do you match mentors to mentees (students)?
We curate a list of mentors from the Black community who have a range of skill sets, interests, education backgrounds, and professions. We will ask bursary recipients for detailed information about their aspirations and interests, and will do our best to match them with mentors who are most aligned in these categories.
Can I receive the bursary without enrolling in the Mentorship Program?
No. We know that involvement in one’s community (on and/or off campus) can help students feel less isolated and more motivated, and can lead to greater overall success. We believe that mentorship and community involvement are powerful tools that can help students feel connected and supported. Mentorship can also provide invaluable resources and strategies to students facing many types of barriers to success. For these reasons, we have developed our Bursary and Mentorship Program as a unit, rather than separable components.
My grades are not high enough for most scholarships. Do lower grades affect my eligibility for the Woke Edu Bursary?
No. While full-time enrollment must be maintained throughout the funding period, academic performance will not determine who shall receive funding.
If my circumstances change and I am not able to meet regularly with my mentor, will I need to repay the bursary?
The bursary and mentorship aspects of our program were designed as a unit, rather than as separate components. Moreover, the mentorship program is designed to be as flexible as possible, so as to accommodate both the student’s and the mentor’s schedule. Therefore, if a student is unable to participate in the Mentorship Program, funding for the next semester ($500) may be withheld, and the student may not be granted additional funding in subsequent years.
What happens to my funding if I fail a class or have to withdraw and am no longer a full-time student?
We know that life happens and that post-secondary studies can be extremely challenging. We designed the Bursary and Mentorship Program to try to help students be successful and overcome challenges. If you are struggling with your studies, we would love to try to help. You may contact your mentor or the Woke Edu Bursary Committee for support. If you do fail or withdraw from a class, you may become ineligible for funding during the next semester or year. Final decisions about eligibility and funding will be made by the Bursary Committee.
Selection process
All applications will be reviewed by the Woke Edu Bursary Committee and a list of 10 finalists will be chosen to meet with the Committee over video chat. The Committee will award up to five bursaries of $1000 each ($500 per semester). Recipients will be notified by email by [AUGUST 20TH, 2021], and will receive an award letter containing important dates and information about the funding and the Mentorship Program.
If your situation changes after the application deadline or after the academic year has begun (e.g. you are no longer a full-time student), you must immediately notify the Bursary Committee by emailing WOKEEDU@NBCCEDMONTON.CA
The Committee will do its best to accommodate students, but cannot guarantee funding in the event of changes that affect a student’s eligibility.