Blanche Macdonald’s
One Million Dollar
Scholarships for
Black Canadians
We are bearing witness to a changing world. This is a seminal moment in history, a call to action to dismantle the status quo, to amplify Black voices and to empower Black lives.
We are all accountable in dismantling this system and in reimagining the world and ourselves. Our College's commitment to action is the creation of a One Million Dollar Scholarship program for Black Canadians.
Apply Now
If you would like to be notified when our Black Canadian Scholarship applications are open for 2024 start dates, we welcome you to email us at [email protected] to be added to our list. Please include your first name, last name, phone number, email and current city of residence.
Major Supporter
Here’s What You Need to Know
- For self-identified Black Canadians or Black Permanent Residents.
- $1,000,000 of full tuition scholarships over five years, divided into $200,000 of scholarships every year.
- Apply to any full-time diploma program.
- Applicants must be either a high school graduate or 19 years old by the first day of program.
- Application deadline for 2023 programs is October 15th 2022.
- Applications for 2024 programs will open August 28th, 2023.
Why Have we Created a Scholarship for Black Canadians?
Because you have a dream: to educate yourself, to fulfill your creative potential and to build a future.
Because we have a dream: to help Black Canadians gain access to education and opportunities, within our College and beyond.
The Black Lives Matter Movement has inspired us to make meaningful changes within our College to ensure that the Black Community is welcomed within our walls, and in turn, in the Fashion, Film and Beauty Industries which we represent.
So we’ve decided to open the doors of academia: not to make it exclusive but inclusive and accessible. In a word, free. We’ve created the $1 Million Scholarship Program for Black Canadians who have dreamt about taking our programs, but couldn’t access them due to financial barriers or hardship.
With our Scholarship Program we want to give you the means to manifest your dreams of studying here, and becoming a fashion, film or beauty professional. We want to welcome you with open hearts and minds, ready to help you create your future.
On August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King Jr made his world-changing I Have a Dream speech. In the spirit of his transcendental work and message, we've launched our $1 Million Scholarship Program for Black Canadians on August 28, 2020.
Let’s dream together, and transform those dreams into your destiny.
Let’s Dream Together, and Transform Those Dreams into Your Destiny.
WHAT IS THE SCHOLARSHIP?
At Blanche Macdonald Centre we are committed to nurturing and raising the profiles of Black talent across the Fashion, Film, Makeup, Hair and Esthetics industries. That’s why we created $1 million in full tuition scholarships: $200,000 in scholarships every year over the next five years to help Black Canadians study with us.
Each Scholarship will cover full tuition and professional kits. The Scholarships do not cover travel, transportation, living expenses, textbooks or any additional school supplies. Applicants are expected to be able to support themselves while they’re studying.
WHO CAN APPLY?
We’re looking for students who want to transform their lives through education. Students who want to nurture and develop their artistic expression, who have a bold creative vision of their lives. Students who want to raise their voices, to stand out, to stand apart, and to make an indelible footprint in the world. Students who are truth-tellers, fearless in their convictions and committed to manifest positive change.
Scholarships are available to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents who self-identify as Black. Fluency in English is essential. If selected, the applicant must be a high school graduate or 19 years or older by the first day of their chosen program.
Please note that we may require additional documentation during the application process.
WHEN CAN I START STUDYING?
We are accepting applications for programs starting in 2023
WHERE IS BLANCHE MACDONALD CENTRE?
The College has three campuses in the beautiful West Coast city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Applicants are expected to be able to support themselves financially while they’re studying at Blanche. This includes covering all your own living expenses.
HOW DO I APPLY?
You’ll be directed to our online application form in any of the APPLY buttons on this page. Please fill in all the required information accurately, paying particular attention to the ‘Tell us about yourself’ section. That’s where this gets fun.
You can attach files to this section so don’t hold back. Send photos, link to your social media profiles and videos of your creativity. Share your past experiences and explain how the financial aid of a Scholarship at Blanche Macdonald will be the first step in your future success. Show us what makes you special.
Once we receive your application, our Scholarship Selection Panel will write back regarding your application status by the first week of November.
Four additional scholarships sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada!
This year we're thrilled to partner with Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada! For applicants wishing to pursue a career in the TV & Film Industry within the Makeup and Hair departments, Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada is sponsoring four additional applicants to receive full scholarships to the Global Makeup or Pro Hairstyling Diploma Programs. To qualify for one of these four scholarships applicants must demonstrate a passion for TV & Film in their applications and apply for either the Global Makeup or Pro Hairstyling Programs.
Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada is part of the Equity and Inclusion arm of Warner Bros. Discovery. Through a suite of initiatives, the office aims to connect talent from underrepresented communities with global opportunities and global audiences within Warner Bros. Discovery business units. Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada values the undervalued and celebrates the underrepresented — all to bring the best and most promising talent in Canada to the world.
“Representation is really important. When I have the opportunity to represent an alternative, I’m going to do that. Because I can.”
I moved to Vancouver from a town where I was one of only a few multi-racial/BIPOC people in my community. The diversity that is accepted, encouraged and celebrated at wonderful places like Blanche Maconald has never gone unnoticed.
Be confident. Stand out for your talent, skill, work ethic, and good attitude. This will ensure that people have no choice but to recognize you for who you are and what you represent.
FAQs
Questions about the scholarships?
Find answers below.
HOW WILL THE DECISIONS BE MADE?
Applications will be reviewed by our selection committee. Some factors that go into their decision making process are: when the applicant is ready to start, and their ability to secure housing and support themselves if they’re relocating, along with the impact of their personal statement and supporting visuals.
Please don’t feel obligated to spend money on creating visuals to support your application. Although we do want to get a sense of your creativity, we’re not looking for experienced nor polished beauty and fashion professionals. Who you are and what you believe you can become are far more important than what you can show us right now.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE SELECTED EVERY YEAR?
The $1,000,000 Scholarship will be awarded over a period of five years. That equates to $200,000 in scholarships a year. Given that different programs have varying tuitions, the number of recipients can differ from year to year depending on the programs applicants enrol in. We estimate that an average of ten applicants will receive scholarships every year.
WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I RECEIVED THE SCHOLARSHIP?
In the weeks following the October 15th deadline, our selection committee will review each application closely and reach out via email to the selected recipients no later than the first week of November. Applicants who have not been selected will also receive an email informing them of the status of their application.
I AM HOPING TO ATTEND BLANCHE MACDONALD IN 2024. CAN I APPLY NOW?
We’re currently only accepting applications for programs starting in 2023. If you’re unable to attend during that time period, you will be able to apply the following year for the next round of scholarships that will roll out over the next five years.
IF I DON’T RECEIVE A SCHOLARSHIP FOR THIS YEAR, CAN I APPLY AGAIN THE FOLLOWING YEAR?
Of course! Apply again, update your application, let us know what you’ve been up to since we heard from you last. Applying again is a great way to show that you’re still interested and passionate about attending our programs.
I AM NOT SURE WHICH PROGRAM I WANT TO APPLY FOR. DO I HAVE TO CHOOSE RIGHT NOW?
While it would make the process easier, knowing exactly which program you want to attend is not a requirement to apply. Demonstrating a passion for a particular industry or career will help your application move forward and you will be asked to identify your top two program choices within the Application Form. However, our Admissions Directors will help guide you into choosing the best program to fit your schedule and career goals.
I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE IN THE BEAUTY, FILM OR FASHION INDUSTRY. WILL THIS AFFECT MY CHANCES OF GETTING CHOSEN?
Experience in your chosen field is not a requirement for applicants. We’re looking for students with a great work ethic and a passion for their chosen field. If you have those, we’re here to teach you all the skills you need to succeed.
WHICH PROGRAMS CAN I APPLY FOR?
You can apply for any of the following full-time diploma programs: Global Makeup, Global Marketing: Fashion and Social Media, Fashion Design, Professional Hairstyling, Professional Barbering, and Global Esthetics.
WHEN ARE THE PROGRAM INTAKES/START DATES?
We offer rolling start dates throughout the year and our Admissions Directors will work closely with each applicant to find the right start date best suited for your schedule.
I’m currently attending Blanche or I’ve already enrolled, can I still apply for a scholarship?
Those currently attending or enrolled in a program are not eligible to receive a scholarship for that program. If you’re currently enrolled or are set to attend a program at Blanche and would like to pursue another program, you may apply after completing your current program.
HAVE A QUESTION THAT ISN’T ANSWERED HERE?
Email us at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to help.
Good luck, and we look forward to welcoming you
into the Blanche Macdonald family soon!