Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Canada Scholarships for International Students

 

Starting your academic journey in Canada can be made more manageable by securing a scholarship covering study and living expenses. Canadian universities tend to award scholarships to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance. However, winning a scholarship also depends on the individual’s work and volunteer experiences. As a form of non-repayable financial assistance, Scholarships for International Students are rare and highly sought after.

 

 

International students can apply for Canadian scholarships when pursuing any level of education, whether undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, post-doctoral, or certificate programs. The Canadian government offers international scholarships in various academic fields, making them accessible to students worldwide. There is a diverse range of scholarships available from Canadian institutions, with some providing financial support for a maximum of four years. With this in mind, obtaining a scholarship is a convenient and effective way for international students to begin their studies in Canada.

 

 

The Ultimate List: Scholarships in Canada for International Students

 

1-   Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at the University of Toronto

 

Introduction:

 

The University of Toronto offers an annual scholarship to international students worldwide and those attending Canadian secondary schools.

The scholarship program is designed to recognize students who excel academically and creatively and are leaders in their schools.

The University of Toronto awards 37 scholarships to undergraduate students as Lester B. Pearson Scholars.

 

Scholarship Coverage:

 

The scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and total living expenses for four years.

 

Eligibility Criteria:

 

• An international student/non-Canadian requires a study permit.
• In the final year of high school or have graduated by June.
• Begin studies at the University of Toronto in September of the upcoming year.
• Note: Students already attending post-secondary studies or starting studies in January at another post-secondary institution are not eligible

Additional Information:

For more information on the application process, visit the official University of Toronto website.

 

2-    Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award at the University of British Columbia

 

Introduction:

The University of British Columbia offers scholarships to international students who excel in academics, leadership, student affairs, and community service.

The scholarship is available for undergraduate students and is valued based on financial need.

The scholarship covers tuition and living costs and may be extended for up to three more years or until the completion of the degree.

 

Eligibility Criteria:

 

• An international student with a Canadian study permit.
• Transferring from a recognized high school or post-secondary institution to attend UBC.
• Meets UBC’s admission standards, including English language and general and degree-specific requirements.
• Demonstrates academic excellence and financial need.
• High school graduates up to two years before the academic year they are applying.

 

Additional Information:

For more information on the application process, visit the official scholarship website.

 

3-   York University International Student Scholarship

 

Introduction:

 

York University in Ontario, Canada, offers scholarships for international students pursuing full-time undergraduate degrees.

Two scholarships are available: the Global Leader of Tomorrow Award ($80,000 for four years) and the International Entrance Scholarship of Distinction ($140,000 for four years).

The scholarships are renewable for three years if the international student demonstrates high academic achievement.

The scholarships are open to undergraduate students in the following faculties: Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Arts, Media, Performance & Design, Engineering, Education, Health, Science, and Business.

 

Eligibility Criteria:

 

• An international student with a Canadian study permit.
• They are applied to an undergraduate degree program at York University.
• Be accepted to York University as a student who applied right out of high school (no more than two years after graduation) and with no prior university or college courses.
• Holds a solid academic record with a minimum GPA of “A” or comparable.
• Demonstrates leadership through volunteerism or achievement in arts, sports, or other areas.
• The student’s high school nominates them (usually, only one student can be selected).
• Providing a letter of recommendation.

All essential documents in the York application are marked as “Received.”

Completed the International Student Scholarship Application within the required time frame.

 

 

Additional Information:

 

For more information on the scholarship and application process, please consult York University’s International Scholarships section on its official website.

 

 

4-   Ontario Graduate Scholarship at the University of Toronto

 

Introduction:

The Province of Ontario and the University of Toronto annually offer Ontario Graduate Scholarships to support international students pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree program at the University of Toronto. This merit-based scholarship is also open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons. The scholarship is valued at $5,000 per session, with the possibility of receiving $10,000 or $15,000 for two or three consecutive sessions. The awarding graduate unit contributes one-third of the total award earned by the student.

 

Eligibility Criteria:

Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) and studying at the University of Toronto on a temporary resident visa.

Must have received a grade of A- (or equivalent) in each of the last two years of full-time study or have an overall average of at least A- (or equivalent) on all graduate courses completed if two years of graduate studies have been completed.

Must be a full-time student in an appropriate program at the graduate unit where the OGS was awarded and maintain enrollment.

Only hold a part-time job or another government-funded scholarship such as SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, QEII-GSST, or another OGS in the same session or award year.

Note: The above criteria are the minimum requirements, and graduate units may impose additional conditions.

 

For more information on the application process and eligibility criteria, visit the official scholarship website.

 

 

5-   University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leaders:

 

Eligibility Criteria:

 

• Must have a minimum entrance average of 80% or above
• Must be an international student
• Must demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities
• Must be starting the first year of any program at the University of Winnipeg

Amount: $5,000

 

The University of Winnipeg offers the President’s Scholarship for World Leaders to international students starting their first year of Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programs at the university. The scholarship is designed for students with a high entrance average and demonstrated leadership abilities. The scholarship is worth $5,000 and can also be used to enroll in PACE or ELP programs. Please consult the University of Winnipeg website for more information on the application process.

 

 

6-   University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

 

Requirements:

• Must be an international student (not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident)
• Must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program that begins in the Fall semester
• Must be a new student

Minimum GPA of 3.20

Must meet the university’s English Language Proficiency criteria

 

Amount:

$15,000 per year (renewable for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years, as long as a minimum 2.60 GPA is maintained over a minimum of 24.00 units in the preceding Autumn and Winter terms)

Eligible Programs:

Any subject from the University of Calgary’s Bachelor’s degree program

Other information:

The scholarship is awarded based on academic proficiency and achievements beyond the classroom

The overall cost of the undergraduate program is $60,000 over four years

 

 

 

List of Tips on How to Find Scholarships

 

Consult Your Chosen University: This is the first step you should take when searching for scholarships. You can visit the university’s website or contact its financial aid office to get information about scholarships for international students and other application guidelines. It is important to note that the application for admission is separate from the scholarship application, so be sure to ask about the latter specifically.

 

Try Networking: Networking can be a great way to find scholarship information. You can use social media or talk to peers who are also searching for scholarships to learn about opportunities offered by various organizations, including federal and provincial governments, private foundations, and not-for-profit organizations.

 

Contact Your Academic Advisor: An academic advisor can help you explore your academic interests, find resources for more information, and develop a study program that’s right for you. Take advantage of this resource and have a conversation about scholarships. If your school has a specialized office for students going abroad to study, find out what resources are available there.

 

Following these tips, you can effectively search for scholarships matching your academic interests, talents, extracurricular activities, professional ambitions, and other unique characteristics.