You deserve a university experience where your voice is heard, where you are celebrated and where your future feels limitless.

For many Black students, the path to university can feel challenging. You may be carrying expectations, navigating barriers others don't see or wondering if there's truly a place where you can thrive without compromising who you are. At Laurier, being a Golden Hawk means more than earning a degree — it means joining a community that believes your brilliance belongs everywhere: in classrooms, leadership roles, labs, residences and beyond. Through scholarships, mentorship and student-led spaces, Laurier is creating an environment where Black students are empowered to succeed fully and unapologetically.

Spaces where Black students lead

At Laurier, Black students are not waiting to be invited into the conversation, they're leading it.

Student organizations like the Black Students Association and the Black Student Collective create opportunities for mentorship, advocacy, networking and social connection. Through discussion groups, workshops, conferences and awareness campaigns, students are building community while challenging barriers and creating meaningful change on campus.

Laurier also celebrates Black excellence in action. Students like Kayla Burton — founder of the Black Students in Science club and recipient of the prestigious McCall MacBain Scholarship — are proving that leadership at Laurier can look bold, innovative and deeply community-focused.

Financial support that believes in your potential

University should open doors, not create barriers. Laurier offers scholarships and bursaries specifically designed to support Black students as they begin their academic journeys.

The CIBC STEM Entrance Award provides $5,000 to students entering STEM programs who identify as Black, Indigenous or as a person with a disability, and demonstrate financial need. Students can also apply for the Hallman Foundation Scholars Award, the Bursary Fund for Black Students, and opportunities like the renewable Bank of Canada Scholarship for visible minority students.

These awards do more than help cover tuition. They recognize resilience, ambition and potential, reminding all students that their futures are worth investing in.

Academic support built around community

Starting university is a major transition, but Laurier ensures Black students don't have to navigate it alone. Through the Black Student Academic Success Program (BSASP), students receive personalized, culturally relevant support designed to help them thrive academically and personally.

Students can meet one-on-one with learning consultants for help with study strategies, coursework and adjusting to university life. Peer Academic Coaching also connects Black students with Black upper-year mentors who understand the realities of the transition and can offer guidance from lived experience.

Programs like Black Student Study Hall create dedicated spaces where students can study together, exchange resources and build community while working toward their goals. Whether you need academic support, encouragement or simply a place where you feel understood, Laurier is intentional about making sure Black students feel seen and heard.

Support beyond the classroom

Success at university isn't just about academics. It's also about feeling safe, supported and able to be yourself. Laurier's Student Wellness Centre offers access to Black counsellors and culturally informed mental health support grounded in equity, inclusion and belonging.

From wellness programs to leadership opportunities, Laurier's staff and student communities are committed to helping Black students thrive in every aspect of university life.

As you prepare for grade 12 and begin to think about applying to university this fall, remember this: you do not have to choose between success and authenticity. At Laurier, Black students are building community, creating change and soaring as Golden Hawks — and we've made space for you here too.