Apply For Scholarships

The CCAWR offers several scholarship awards that have a monetary value of $1500.00 unless specifically noted. Several of these are “named” scholarships that pay tribute to members of our community in the Waterloo Region.

Undergraduate Scholarships:

• The Vincent Smith Memorial Scholarship

The Vincent Smith Memorial Scholarship was launched in 2019 and is one of CCAWRs premier scholarship that is an award valued up to $3,000.00. It pays tribute to the late Vincent Smith, who had a tremendous impact on our community. He was a community organizer, teacher, and a man of faith that touched many lives in our community, particularly youth. This CCAWR scholarship may be awarded to an individual who demonstrates strong community service, leadership, and involvement in education.

• The Lauris DaCosta Scholarship

The Lauris DaCosta Scholarship pays tribute to Lauris DaCosta who shaped the CCAWR and has had a tremendous impact on our community over the last 30 years. Lauris has many accomplishments, was a past CCAWR president, and one of the co-founders of the scholarship program. Her latest successful project, “Many Roads to Freedom”, a concert that celebrates black history in Canada, received tremendous accolades. This CCAWR scholarship may be awarded to an individual who demonstrates strong community service, exhibits excellent leadership skills and maybe pursuing an academic career in health sciences. This scholarship award is valued at up to $1,500.00.

• The Caroline Meyer Riley Memorial Scholarship (* New for 2023)

The Caroline Meyer Riley Memorial Scholarship is named in honour of Caroline Meyer Riley, who was the great granddaughter of a very distinguished Haitian lawyer Delabarre Pierre-Louis. Caroline in her own right was an exceptional and tenacious lawyer. She was one of the founding partners at Strigberger Brown Armstrong (SBA) and played an instrumental role in shaping the firm’s success. This CCAWR scholarship may be awarded to an individual who demonstrates strong community service and has an interest in law, civil rights or social justice issues. The scholarship award is valued up to $2,000.00.

• The Veronica Smith Memorial Scholarship (* New for 2023)

This Veronica Smith Memorial Scholarship is named in honour of Veronica Smith who passed away from cancer in 2021. The Veronica Smith Foundation is offering a scholarship to a university or college student pursuing a medical career (MD), medical sciences, or a related discipline in the medical field. Cancer is a devastating disease and continues to take many lives and the hope is that the recipient of this scholarship might one day assist in finding a cure for Cancer. The Veronica Smith Foundation is pleased to support our local community by offering a scholarship valued up to $1,500.00.

• The Black Faculty Collective Scholarship

The Black Faculty Collective is a group of faculty members of African decent at the University of Waterloo. They are pleased to support our local community by offering a scholarship for young Black students perusing an academic career at the University of Waterloo.

• The CCAWR General Scholarships (1 or more)

These are awarded to students who meet our scholarship criteria and have demonstrated excellence in their academic pursuits as well as involvement in community-based activities. These scholarship awards are valued at up to $1,500.00

Graduate Scholarships:

These are available for university or college students in their final year that is interested in pursuing graduate studies.

• The James STEM graduate scholarship (*)

The James Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Scholarship will be awarded to a full-time student of Caribbean descent who is enrolled in post-secondary studies, and who has demonstrated academic achievement, community involvement, and interest in the STEM fields. This scholarship award is valued from $1,000.00 to $1,500.00.

Note: Any application submitted will be considered for any one of the above scholarships. The named scholarships (*) are offered based on funding available.

The eligibility criteria for the scholarships are as follows:

1. Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. Supporting documentation may be requested.
2. Must be of Caribbean heritage (self, parent or grandparent) from any CARICOM nation.
3. Residency in the Region of Waterloo
   • a. Must reside in the Region of Waterloo
   • b. Or have attended at least 1 year at an accredited College, University, or Post- Secondary Institution in the Region of Waterloo.
4. Must be studying or accepted for study towards a diploma, degree, or certificate in any field at any accredited College, University, or Post-Secondary Institution.
5. For our undergraduate awards (open to high school or undergraduate students):
   • a. Applicants must be 17 to 25 years of age as of the end of September of the year the scholarship is granted.
   • b. May be either a graduating (or graduated) high school student, or a student currently enrolled in University, College, or an accredited post-secondary institution.
   • c. High school student applicants must have graduated or be scheduled to graduate from an accredited high school (public or private) before submitting their application.
6. For postgraduate awards (open to final year undergraduate students):
   • a. Applicants must be 21 to 30 years of age as of the end of September of the year the scholarship is granted.
   • b. Undergraduate student applicants must have graduated or in the final year of University, College, or an accredited post-secondary institution.
7. Good academic standing.

Applications received are reviewed, vetted and potential applicants are selected by a volunteer committee.

The criteria for selection takes into account the goals and ideals of the CCAWR which are to:

1. Recognize outstanding achievements and efforts in community involvement, academics, culture, sports, and arts);
2. Foster high professional standards;
3. Recognize the development of exemplary leadership qualities; and
4. Encourage active participation of the scholarship recipients and their families in CCAWR events.

A Scholarship may be granted to an individual who may not have exceptional academic achievements but has demonstrated outstanding proficiency in some other field, including, the Arts or Industrial disciplines.

Scholarship Award payments will be made directly to the educational institution the student will be attending. They are usually made to the educational institution at the end of September or early October of the year of award.

For students that have received awards but choose to defer their acceptance for 1 year arrangements can be made to defer the award payment for 1 year only.

April 1st – July 15th	Acceptance of Applications
July 15th	Application Deadline for Students
July 30th	Review and Decision of Scholarship Committee
August 15th	Award Recipients Notified
September (End)	Awards Ceremony & Presentation
September 30th	Scholarship Cheques Mailed to Institutions

The applications and all accompanying documentation should be submitted online. The link to the online application is below.

Please ensure the following:

1. That the Application is submitted by the due date to be eligible for that year.
2. That all sections of the Application are completed, your name is spelled correctly, and the information is legible.
3. That your references, transcript, and photographs are included with the Application.

Please note that by completing the Application form you are providing us with your consent to publish your photograph and information to the public.

1. A completed Application form must be submitted by the deadline of July 15th, with a high-resolution (minimum passport size) photograph of the applicant.
2. High School transcripts may be forwarded to the committee by July 15th, if the completed application form has already been submitted.
3. The names and contact information of two (2) references as outlined in the Application form.  One may be a teacher from your school, college, or university. The other must be from an individual (other than your teacher or family member) who is familiar with you and can attest to your community service.
4. Proof of acceptance or confirmation of enrollment from the institution you plan to attend.
5. Up to date official transcript from the institution you are currently attending, or last attended.
6. A one-page essay explaining why the scholarship should be awarded to you.

Submission Deadline:            July 15th, 2023

Start your Application today by clicking on the button below.

If you need any additional information about the scholarships, the application process or would like to submit your application by mail, please contact us by:

Email: scholarships@ccawr.ca

Phone: 519-997-2780