CCAWR Scholarships

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

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

The 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 James T. Harris Memorial Scholarship (* New for 2024)

The James T. Harris scholarship is named in honour of James (Jim) Harris: social worker, accomplished pianist, composer, author, fan of football and tennis, man of faith, and advocate in the fields of social welfare and anti-racism. Prior to his death in 1999, Jim 
was Director of Social Work and a professor at Renison College University where he was known as a tough but supportive teacher. Born and raised in the United States, Professor Harris emigrated to Canada in the 1960s, settled in Waterloo Region and became a Canadian citizen. A pioneer, he was among the first Black leaders in the Region’s social services sector; serving on the boards of several agencies and instrumental in their development. Jim was generous with his time and spirit, and during his lifetime made substantive contributions to the areas of social work, social welfare, and social justice. Known as a gentleman and a gentle man, Jim left a lasting impression on all who knew him. The scholarship award is valued up to $1,500.

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.

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
   1. Must reside in the Region of Waterloo
   2. 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):
   1.  Applicants must be 17 to 25 years of age as of the end of September of the year the scholarship is granted.
   2.  May be either a graduating (or graduated) high school student, or a student currently enrolled in University, College, or an accredited post-secondary institution.
   3.  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):
   1.  Applicants must be 21 to 30 years of age as of the end of September of the year the scholarship is granted.
   2.  Undergraduate student applicants must have graduated or in the final year of University, College, or an accredited post-secondary institution.
7. Good academic standing.