Awards supporting Black and African Canadian students at NSCC
Donor-funded awards, scholarships and bursaries
Through the generosity of our donors and partners, NSCC offers more than $3 million dollars in student awards, scholarships and bursaries each year to help with cost of living expenses, tuition, books and College fees. Some awards are specific to Black and African Canadian students to help eliminate barriers they face to education. Many awards are open to both new and returning students, eligibility for the awards can be specific to communities, campuses, programs and year of study (to name a few).
Learn more about NSCC's 16 dedicated awards, scholarships and bursaries for Black and African Canadian students funded by our donors and partners in the list below.
Looking to show your support? Click any award with a "donate here" button to directly support the award and its future recipients or learn how to create your own award!
Designated awards for Black and African Canadian students
Archy Beals Legacy Award
4 awards available at $1,000 each. (2 in spring, 2 in fall)
Created to honour Archy Beal's legacy of 27 years at NSCC and his impact on African Nova Scotian communities province-wide. For one award, preference is given to a resident of North Preston, East Preston, Lake Loon and Cherry Brook.
Arnold D. Johnson Sr. Award for Water Resources
1 award available at $3,600.
Established by Halifax Water and named in honour of Arnold D. Johnson Sr., who served the Preston Area communities as a Halifax County Councillor and was instrumental in creating the Watershed Association Development Enterprise and the Lake Major Watershed Advisory Committee.
Black Empowerment to Success Award
2 awards available at $1,000 each.
Established by the Pathways to Shipbuilding (African Nova Scotian Cohort) Class of 2020 out of gratitude for their funding through the Pathways to Shipbuilding program.
Cara Beals Memorial Award
1 award available at $500.
This award honours the life and legacy of Cara Beals, a treasured NSCC employee of 23 years who recently lost her courageous battle to cancer. This award supports African Nova Scotian women studying at NSCC's metro campuses to carry on Cara's legacy as a lifelong learner and a committed volunteer for NSCC student awards, as she was passionate about supporting students in accessing education.
Daurene Lewis Memorial Award
1 award available at $1,000.
Established to honour the life and legacy of Daurene Lewis, a descendant of the Black Loyalists, Canada's first Black female mayor, and proud leader against injustice. Supporting Black and African Nova Scotian Women in eligible Health and Human Services programs.
Dr. Joyce Ross Perseverance Award
1 award available at $1,000.
Established to support and encourage African Nova Scotian students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education Diploma Program at Nova Scotia Community College. This award was named in honour of Dr. Joyce Ross, an African Nova Scotian woman who had a dream of advancing young Black people in the community of East Preston.
Maestro Fresh Wes Scholarship
1 award available at $1,500.
Established by Wes Williams “Maestro Fresh Wes,” a Canadian rapper, producer, actor, author, motivational speaker and NSCC Honorary Diploma recipient, to mark his incredible achievement of being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Wes created the Maestro Fresh Wes Scholarship as a means to pay it forward to support Black and African Nova Scotian students pursuing a career in skilled trades at NSCC Akerley Campus.
NextLevel Student Scholarship
5 awards available at $5,000.
Established by The PREP Academy, this award is available to current African Nova Scotian students at NSCC who are alumni of The PREP Academy and are graduating and transitioning to a university to complete their 2+2 program.
The Barbara Roberts Aya Award
1 award available at $2,500.
Honouring community leader Barbara Roberts Aya, this award was established as one of four new awards to support Black and African Nova Scotian students at NSCC, thanks to NSCC’s Black African Nova Scotian Employee Resource Network (BAERN). Applications and more information will become available for the spring awards cycle.
The Crystal States Community Award
1 award available at $2,500.
Honouring community leader Crystal States, this award was established as one of four new awards to support Black and African Nova Scotian students at NSCC, thanks to NSCC’s Black African Nova Scotian Employee Resource Network (BAERN). Applications and more information will become available for the spring awards cycle.
The Doreen Paris Memorial Award
1 award available at $2,500.
In memory to honour community leader Doreen Paris, this award was established as one of four new awards to support Black and African Nova Scotian students at NSC,C thanks to NSCC’s Black African Nova Scotian Employee Resource Network (BAERN). Applications and more information will become available for the spring awards cycle.
The Efficiency Nova Scotia Bright Futures Award
1 award available at $2,000.
Established by Efficiency Nova Scotia, this award aims to expand and diversify this sector by encouraging students to consider the benefits of improving efficiency within their programs. Five awards are offered, with one award designated for an African Nova Scotian/Historically Indigenous Black student at NSCC.
The Patrick Colley Community Award
1 award available at $2,500.
Honouring community leader Patrick Colley, this award was established as one of four new awards to support Black and African Nova Scotian students at NSCC, thanks to NSCC’s Black African Nova Scotian Employee Resource Network (BAERN). Applications and more information will become available for the spring awards cycle.
The Possibilities Award, presented by The PREP Academy
5 awards available at $4,000.
Established by The PREP Academy, a community-based non-profit organization that inspires and prepares African Nova Scotian high school students for college and university, and NSCC to eliminate barriers to education for the African Nova Scotian community.
The Women Innovating in Nova Scotia (WINS) Bursary
2 awards available at $1,500 each.
Established in 2009 by the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women and their partner, the Province of Nova Scotia. The award supports women pursuing careers in sciences, trades and technology, helping over 100 women do so through their NSCC programs. Annually, two awards are dedicated to Black and African Nova Scotian women.
Trina Fraser Award
1 award available at $1,000.
Named in honour of Sunday Miller, Kerri Johnson and Trina Fraser, all women who developed the first ever Africentric ECE Diploma program at Akerley Campus. The Trina Fraser Award was created to support and encourage African Nova Scotian students enrolled in the Africentric Early Childhood Education or the Adult Learning Program – Africentric Learning Option at NSCC.
Other financial supports
Black and African Canadian Immediate Needs Fund
Amount varies based on need.
Funded by donors to Rapid Response to support Black and African Canadian students at NSCC facing immediate financial need. Students can inquire about funds by contacting their Black and African Canadian student advisor (log-in required).
And many other awards
Black and African Canadian students are eligible for many other awards open to equity-deserving groups. Learn more about available awards at nscc.ca/studentawards.
More ways to give
Learn more about ways to give to the NSCC Foundation, or contact us to discuss how you can support Black and African Canadian students at NSCC:
Phone (toll-free): 1-866-745-7919 | Fax: (902) 491-4828
Email: