The Sankofa Scholarships are three Dalhousie University entrance awards for new undergraduates of Black/African descent, aimed at Black communities in Nova Scotia, Canada and the Caribbean.
Recipients study in person at Dalhousie in Nova Scotia (Halifax or Truro). Applicants are considered through the General Entrance Award application; no separate form is listed.
Benefits & funding
- Domestic awards: C$32,000 in total, C$8,000 a year, renewable for 4 years.
- International award: C$48,000 in total, C$12,000 a year, renewable for 4 years.
- Dal News (2021) adds academic advising, financial planning, career preparation and mentorship from Black faculty, staff and alumni.
- Paid to the student account in mid-August and mid-December; full-time registration is required each funded term.
Eligibility
- Domestic students: one award for a student of Black/African descent with Caribbean heritage, one for a Black/African Nova Scotian student.
- International students: one award for a student of Black/African descent from the Caribbean, with preference for the former British West Indies.
- Dal News (2021): applicants self-identify as Black and show commitment to leadership, community involvement and service; preference for financial need and first-generation students.
- Entering from high school, or a mature student without transferable post-secondary study; starting in the fall term.
- Meeting the academic requirements (typically an 80% average or 26 predicted IB points).
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Are applying directly from high school, or are a mature student with no transferable post-secondary study … One award for a student of Black/African descent of Caribbean heritage … One award for a Black/African Nova Scotian student entering an undergraduate degree program … One award for an international student of Black/African descent from the Caribbean (preference to those from the former British West Indies) entering an undergraduate degree program.” Eligibility
Eligible nationalities
Canada · Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas · Barbados · Cuba · Dominica · Dominican Republic · Grenada · Haiti · Jamaica · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia
Residents of Canada can also apply.
+ 15 more
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Trinidad and Tobago · Anguilla · Aruba · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Curaçao · Montserrat · Sint Maarten · Turks and Caicos Islands · Puerto Rico · US Virgin Islands · Guadeloupe · France · Bonaire
Education required
High School
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Application process
- 1Apply to an undergraduate program in Dalhousie’s portal (C$70 fee if not yet admitted).
- 2Complete the General Entrance Award application yourself in the same portal, uploading any financial documents there.
- 3Have your school send an official Grade 12 first-semester transcript, unless Dalhousie holds your Nova Scotia student ID or OUAC number; all due February 15, 2027 (Dal News in 2021 cited a typical March 1 deadline).
Program timeline
General Entrance Award application opens
October 1, 2026
Application deadline
February 15, 2027
Award offers sent
Spring 2027
Deadline to accept awards (with admission deposit)
May 1, 2027