Eligibility Criteria
Deadline : Wednesday, September 30, 2026
To be eligible for the GemStar Circle of Excellence, each student applicant must be:
• A Grade 11 student of high academic standing (Honour Role or at least 80% average);
• A member of the Black community with demonstrated involvement in the community; and
• A Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.
Good luck!
APPLICATION MATERIALS & DEADLINE
Considerations for the program will only be for those who have duly completed and submitted their applications before the deadline of 11:59 pm on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026.
Please note that If you don't have the documents ready yet, you can still submit your application and send your documents by email before Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
About GemStar Scholarship Fund
The GemStar Scholarship Fund is the innovative initiative of Gemma Raeburn-Baynes, President of Playmas Montreal and a long-serving employee of BMO Bank of Montreal. One of the key mandates of Playmas Montreal is to support deserving, high-performing Black high school students in achieving their aspirations by enabling their pursuit of higher education through $1,500 scholarship awards or $500 bursaries. BMO Bank of Montreal, as a sponsor under its Black Entrepreneur Program, along with other corporations and donors, has committed to financing the GemStar Scholarship Fund.
High school administrations and guidance counsellors on the island of Montreal are encouraged to nominate eligible Black Grade 11 students for consideration in the GemStar Circle of Excellence, aiming to secure one of the Scholarships awarded at the end of the program. These students will have the chance to connect with experienced professional mentors who can guide them through their academic and career journeys. The mentors will provide support, advice, and encouragement to help students achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
The Circle of Excellence Program will run from October to May. In June, the students who have successfully met the program’s participation requirements will be selected to receive either a scholarship of $1,500 each or a bursary of $500 each to further their academic careers. A graduation ceremony to present
the scholarships will be held, with community members, mentors, parents, and school officials in attendance.
In addition to one-on-one mentoring, the GemStar Circle of Excellence program offers a variety of monthly workshops and other events designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today’s world. From networking events to career development workshops, GemStarCircle of Excellence provides students with the resources they need to build successful careers and make a positive impact on their communities.
How To Apply
Completing these three steps ensures your application is considered for the Gem*Star Scholarship Program. Remember to meet the application deadline and provide comprehensive and accurate information to give yourself the best chance of receiving the scholarship.
Good luck!
01
Prepare Your Documents
02
Complete the Application Form
03
Submit Your Application
Gather the required documents before starting your application:
​
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A Curriculum Vitae;
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Transcripts of the last completed academic year;
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A 2-page statement outlining how the applicant satisfies the
selection criteria for this scholarship and how the award will assist
his or her education; and -
2 letters of recommendation, at least one of which must come
from one of the applicant’s teachers.
Fill out the online application form on the GemStar Scholarship Fund's official
website.
Provide accurate and up-to-date information about yourself, your academic history, and extracurricular activities. Be sure to review the eligibility criteria and guidelines before proceeding.
Upload the gathered documents and your scholarship essay as required in the application form.
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Double-check that all documents are clear and correctly labeled. Once you're confident everything is in order, submit your application. You'll receive a confirmation email acknowledging your submission.
All documents must be typed. Please email the required documents to Playmasmontreal@gmail.com.
For more information, please feel free to contact the Program Manager, Mr. Akil Alleyne, by email at akil.alleyne.playmasmontreal@gmail.com or by
phone at (514) 242-2777.
What Happens After You Submit an Application?
The Selection Committee Reviews Your Application!
If selected to be in the Circle of Excellence program, students will commit to the program agreement and attend mentorship meetings, workshops and conferences throughout the nine months during the school year. Eight students who participate in the Circle of Excellence program will be selected from the pool of participants to receive a $1500 scholarship for continuing education. All students in the pool will be matched with a mentor and will attend one-on-meetings from October to April. In June, a graduation ceremony will be held, and scholarships will be presented to the 8 winners.​​