Here’s What You Need to Know


  • For self-identified Black Canadians or Black Canadian 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 have completed Grade 11 or be 19 years old by the first day of the program.
  • Applications for 2025 start dates will open on August 28, 2024.
Applications Reopen August 28, 2024

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.

TAX REQUIREMENTS

While the scholarship itself is free, it does have tax implications on your personal return with the Canadian Revenue Service.

Declaring the scholarship on your Tax return is a requirement of the Canada Revenue Agency. The government requires all Colleges to issue a T2202 Tax form to any student receiving a scholarship. The College must be in compliance with all federal laws. As a scholarship recipient, you will be issued a T4A for the year you are awarded your scholarship, and T2202 form(s) for the year(s) you were enrolled. For students enrolled in programs spanning multiple calendar years, the tuition will be divided across both years.

Please seek independent advice from a tax professional on how a scholarship may affect your tax return.

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 have completed Grade 11 or be 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?

Applications for 2024 start dates were closed as of October 30, 2023. Our fifth and final year of the scholarship will be applicable to programs starting in 2025. We will begin accepting applications again on August 28, 2024.

If you would like to be notified when applications are open for 2025 program 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.

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?

As of October 30, 2023, we are no longer accepting applications for 2024 program start dates. When applications reopen on August 28, 2024 for 2025 start dates, you will be directed to our online application form by clicking any of the APPLY NOW buttons on this page.

At this time, you will be asked to fill in all of the required information accurately, paying particular attention to the ‘Tell us about yourself’ section. That’s where this gets fun.

You will be able to attach files to this section so don’t hold back. Send photos, links 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.

WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I RECEIVED THE SCHOLARSHIP?

Our selection committee will review each application closely and reach out via email to the selected recipients. 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 2025. CAN I APPLY NOW?

Applications for the scholarship are now closed. We will reopen for our fifth and final year on August 28, 2024 for programs starting in 2025.

If you would like to be notified when our Black Canadian Scholarship applications are open for 2025 program 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.

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 just as important as 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, beginning in 2020. 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?

Our selection committee will review each application closely and reach out via email to the selected recipients. 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 2025. CAN I APPLY NOW?

Applications are currently closed. Applications for 2025 start dates will open on August 28, 2024.

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, HAIR, FASHION OR ESTHETICS INDUSTRIES. WILL THIS AFFECT MY CHANCES OF GETTING CHOSEN?

Experience or samples of work in your chosen field are beneficial, but are not a requirement for applicants. We’re looking for students with a great work ethic, willingness to learn, with both passion and potential to succeed in their chosen field. If you have those, we’re here to teach you the skills you need.

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/Medical 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!

Applications Reopen August 28, 2024

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