Application for Entrance Awards Designated to Black Students

The following awards are for Black students. For the purpose of these or other similar awards, Black students may include African, Afro-Caribbean, Black Canadian, Afro-Latine, African American, Afro-Indigenous, or other African descent.

You will be considered for any that you qualify for, based on the award criteria and your responses to the application questions. This includes any additional entrance awards, based on similar criteria, which may become available.

Contact Akua Asare Anim if you have any questions about applying for admission or scholarships as a Black student.

Deadline to apply: April 15

4KPi Award for Black and Indigenous Students in Mathematics

Two awards, valued at $12,566.37 each, will be provided annually to deserving Black or Indigenous students entering Year One of any co-op undergraduate degree program within the Faculty of Mathematics (excluding Software Engineering) in full-time studies. Candidates must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a protected person in Canada. Selection is based on the application statement wherein students are asked to describe the impact this award will have on their pursuit of postsecondary studies. This fund was made possible by Jay Biskupski (BMATH ’81) and Catherine Imrie. Their hope is to reduce financial stress for first-year marginalized students, giving them a more equitable playing field.

Aziz Shallwani Memorial Award for Black and Indigenous Students

One award, valued at up to $1,650, will be provided annually to a Black or Indigenous undergraduate student entering Year One of any program in the Faculty of Engineering. Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement, the Admission Information Form (AIF), the online video interview, as well as an application statement wherein students are asked to describe the impact this award will have on their pursuit of post-secondary studies. This fund was established by family and friends of Aziz Shallwani (BASc ’00) to honour his memory and to support diversity and inclusion among the next generation of Waterloo engineering students. 

CIBC Inclusion Award for Black Students

Four renewable awards, valued at up to $25,000 each (paid over eight academic terms) will be provided annually to Black undergraduate students entering Year One of any full-time degree program at the University of Waterloo, with preference to students enrolling in a STEM program (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics). Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement, extracurricular and/or volunteer involvement, as well as a statement wherein students are asked to describe what receiving this award would mean to them in their pursuit of post-secondary studies. Interested students must complete the Application for Entrance Awards Designated to Black Students by April 15. Recipients will receive $3,125 per academic term for up to eight terms (1A-4B). Payments beyond Year One are dependent on maintaining a minimum overall cumulative average of 70% and full-time enrolment in a degree program. CIBC has established these awards to empower the next generation of leaders and changemakers from Black communities to improve access to education.

Dumanski Family Scholarship for Black and Indigenous Students in Engineering

A scholarship, valued at up to $1,200, will be provided annually to a full-time Black or Indigenous undergraduate student enrolled in Year One of any program in the Faculty of Engineering. Selection is based on a combination of academic excellence, the Admission Information Form (AIF), and the online video interview. This fund is made possible by Steve Dumanski to encourage Black and Indigenous students to consider Waterloo Engineering. 

Engineering Entrance Awards for Black and Indigenous Students

Up to five awards, valued at $5,000 each, will be provided to full-time undergraduate students who self-identify as Black or Indigenous and who are entering Year One of any program in the Faculty of Engineering. To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Selection will be based on a combination of academic excellence as well as extracurricular and leadership involvement assessed through the Admission Information Form (AIF). Recipients will be encouraged to engage in outreach activities in their community and/or high school to create pathways for future students and additional financial incentives will be provided to support these endeavours. This award is made possible by numerous donors that contributed to the Engineering Diversity Fund established by the Faculty of Engineering.

Faculty of Mathematics Entrance Scholarship for Black International Students

Several scholarships, valued at $20,000 to $40,000 each, paid over eight academic terms, will be provided to Black international undergraduate students (study permit, paying international fees) entering Year One of any full-time degree program in the Faculty of Mathematics. Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement and community involvement through extracurricular and/or volunteer activities. Preference will be given to students who best demonstrate what receiving this award would mean to their pursuit of post­secondary studies. To be considered, students must submit an online award application by April 15. The scholarship will be issued in eight equal payments (lA-4B). Payments beyond Year One are dependent on maintaining a minimum overall average of 80% and full-time enrolment in the Faculty of Mathematics. 

Faculty of Mathematics Entrance Scholarship for Black Students

Several scholarships, valued from $10,000 to $20,000 each, paid over eight academic terms, will be provided to Black domestic undergraduate students (Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person) entering Year One of any full-time degree program in the Faculty of Mathematics. Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement and community involvement through extracurricular and/or volunteer activities. Preference will be given to students who best demonstrate what receiving this award would mean to their pursuit of post-secondary studies. To be considered, students must submit an online award application by April 15. The scholarship will be issued in eight equal payments (lA-4B). Payments beyond Year One are dependent on maintaining a minimum overall average of 80% and full-time enrolment in the Faculty of Mathematics.

O’Malley-Hikel Accounting Award for Black and Indigenous Students

One award, valued at $5,000, will be provided annually to a Black or Indigenous undergraduate student entering Year One of any program in the School of Accounting and Finance. Selection will be based on extracurricular involvement and/or participation in volunteer leadership activities. This fund is made possible by a donation from Patricia O’Malley (LLD ‘16) and Ron Hikel. Both Ronald and Patricia believe that increasing the capacity of Black and Indigenous students to become leaders in the financial management of their communities will provide long-term benefit to those communities and to society as a whole.

RLB Accounting Award for Black and Indigenous Students

One award, valued at $2,000, will be provided annually to a Black or Indigenous undergraduate student entering Year One of any program in the School of Accounting and Finance. Selection will be based on extracurricular involvement and/or participation in volunteer leadership activities. This award is generously funded by RLB LLP. RLB understands that Black and Indigenous students are underrepresented in accounting careers and are committed to taking meaningful steps to give back and help provide access to this career path.

Romesh and Manju Batra Award for Black and Indigenous Students

An award, valued at up to $1,200, will be provided annually to a Black or Indigenous undergraduate student enrolled in Year One of any program in the Faculty of Engineering, with preference to students in Mechanical Engineering. Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement, the Admission Information Form (AIF), the online video interview, as well as an application statement wherein students are asked to describe the impact this award will have on their pursuit of postsecondary studies. This fund is made possible by a donation from Romesh and Manju Batra as a tribute to Romesh’s parents, Amir Chand and Dewki Bai Batra, who ensured that their two children received a post-secondary education.

Scotiabank Entrance Scholarship for Black and Indigenous Students

One scholarship, valued at $10,000, will be awarded annually to a Black or Indigenous student entering Year One of any program within the Faculty of Mathematics (excluding Software Engineering). Selection will be based on a combination of academic excellence, and extracurricular involvement and/or volunteer activities. Preference will be given to students who are attempting to advance Black or Indigenous initiatives in their community. This fund is made possible by a donation from Scotiabank with the goal to support marginalized students.

Vitaly Pecherskiy Entrance Award for Black and Indigenous Students

One award valued at $20,000, or two awards valued at $10,000 each, will be provided to Black and/or Indigenous undergraduate students entering Year One of Computer, Management, Mechatronics, Software, or Systems Design Engineering. Candidates must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a protected person in Canada. Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement, the Admission Information Form (AIF), the online video interview, as well as an application statement wherein students are asked to describe the impact this award will have on their pursuit of postsecondary studies. This award is made possible by a donation from Vitaly Pecherskiy to increase accessibility to education and create opportunities for underrepresented groups. 

Waterloo Black Brilliance Sankofa Award

Two awards, valued at up to $20,000 paid over eight academic terms, will be provided to Black undergraduate students entering Year One of any full-time degree program in the Faculty of Arts. Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement and community involvement through extracurricular and/or volunteer activities. Preference will be given to students who best demonstrate what receiving this award would mean to their pursuit of post-secondary studies. To be considered, students must submit an online award application by April 15. Recipients will receive $2,500 per academic term for up to eight terms (1A-4B). Payments beyond Year One are dependent on maintaining a minimum overall average of 70% and full-time enrolment in the Faculty of Arts.