Scholarships In Canada: Opportunities For International Students

Canada offers a wide range of scholarships for international students, including those for undergraduate, master's, and PhD studies. These scholarships are provided by the Canadian government, foreign governments, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations. The University of Toronto, for instance, offers the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, while UBC offers the International Major Entrance Scholarship and the Outstanding International Student Award. Scholarships are also available at York University, Dalhousie University, University Canada West, and McGill University. These scholarships can provide significant financial support, with some covering tuition fees, accommodation charges, health insurance, and travel allowances.

Scholarships in Canada for International Students

Scholarships for international students at the University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is a publicly-funded institution and, as such, cannot offer financial aid to international students. However, there are still scholarship opportunities available for international students at the University of Toronto.

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is the University of Toronto's most prestigious and competitive scholarship for international students. It is awarded annually to recognise outstanding students from around the world, including those studying at Canadian high schools. The scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years. Each year, approximately 37 students are named Lester B. Pearson Scholars. To be eligible, you must be an international student enrolled in your final year of senior secondary school or have graduated no earlier than the year prior to beginning your studies at the University of Toronto. Students already attending post-secondary studies are not eligible.

University of Toronto Scholars Program

The University of Toronto Scholars Program is one of the two major admission awards offered by the university. It is a merit-based award that recognises outstanding students at admission and on an ongoing basis. No separate application is required.

President’s Scholars of Excellence Program

The President’s Scholars of Excellence Program is the second of the two major admission awards offered by the University of Toronto. Like the University of Toronto Scholars Program, it is a merit-based award and does not require a separate application.

International Scholar Awards

The International Scholar Awards are automatically awarded to exceptional international students across the University of Toronto's largest divisions and faculties. These renewable awards are offered upon admission and have a total value of over $100,000.

U of T Mississauga Automatic Entrance Scholarship

The U of T Mississauga campus offers three levels of automatic entrance scholarships to all domestic and international students upon admission to their campus with admitted averages starting at 90.0%.

In addition to these scholarships, international students at the University of Toronto have access to over 5,700 admission awards totalling nearly $36 million. International students are automatically considered for a variety of admission scholarships when they apply to the University of Toronto. The university recommends using the Award Explorer to view other scholarships that may be available.

University-funded scholarships

Many universities in Canada offer scholarships for international students. These scholarships are typically awarded based on academic merit, extracurricular involvement, and leadership qualities. Here are some examples of university-funded scholarships for international students:

University of British Columbia (UBC) Scholarships

UBC offers a range of scholarships, awards, and financial support for international undergraduate students, totalling more than $30 million annually. UBC automatically considers all incoming international undergraduate students for the International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) and the Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award. The IMES scholarship is awarded to exceptional students entering undergraduate programs and is valued at $10,000–$20,000 per year, renewable for up to three additional years. The OIS Award is a one-time, merit-based entrance scholarship valued at $10,000–$25,000 for the 2025/2026 academic year.

University of Waterloo Scholarship

The University of Waterloo offers a fully funded scholarship for international students pursuing undergraduate, master's, or PhD studies. The scholarship is valued at up to $10,000.

Dalhousie University Scholarship

Dalhousie University provides a fully funded scholarship for international master's and PhD students. The scholarship is valued at $30,000 and covers a monthly stipend, accommodation costs, fee waivers, and health insurance.

University Canada West Scholarship

University Canada West offers a funded scholarship for international undergraduate and master's students. The scholarship provides up to $20,000 for an undergraduate degree and $10,000 for a master's degree.

McGill University Scholarships

McGill University offers a fully funded scholarship for international undergraduate, master's, and PhD students. The scholarship provides up to $8,500 for undergraduates and a modest amount of bursaries for master's and PhD students.

University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

The University of Calgary provides a fully funded undergraduate scholarship for international students entering their first year in the Fall Term. The scholarship amounts vary, with $60,000, $15,000 (renewable annually), and $10,000 (non-renewable) options available.

York University Scholarship

York University offers a fully funded undergraduate scholarship for international students, providing $35,000 per year for their studies in Canada.

Government-funded scholarships

The Government of Canada offers several scholarships for international students through Global Affairs Canada. These scholarships are available for students from a wide range of countries and territories, providing short-term exchange opportunities for study or research at Canadian post-secondary institutions. Here are some examples of government-funded scholarships:

Study in Canada Scholarships

The Study in Canada Scholarships are available to students from select countries/territories in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. These scholarships offer short-term exchange opportunities for study or research at the college, undergraduate, and graduate levels in Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program provides funding to outstanding postdoctoral applicants, both nationally and internationally. The program aims to support individuals who can positively contribute to Canada's economic, social, and research-based growth.

Organization of American States Academic Scholarship Program

The Organization of American States (OAS) Academic Scholarship Program offers graduate students from OAS member states the opportunity to study in Canada.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS)

The Vanier CGS program aims to attract and retain the best doctoral students by supporting those who demonstrate both leadership qualities and outstanding academic achievement.

Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)

The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships facilitate short-term exchange opportunities for students from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This program is available for study or research at the college, undergraduate, and graduate levels in Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program (CCSEP)

The CCSEP promotes mutual understanding between Canada and China by offering scholarships to Chinese scholars and professionals interested in conducting research in Canada.

In addition to these government-funded scholarships, international students can also explore scholarships offered by individual universities in Canada, such as the University of British Columbia (UBC), which offers a range of scholarships and awards specifically for international students.

Scholarships for international students at UBC

Canada offers a variety of scholarships for international students. The Government of Canada's participation in major international scholarship programs is managed by Global Affairs Canada, which features international scholarships offered by Canadian governments, foreign governments, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers a wide range of scholarships for international students. UBC devotes more than $30 million annually to awards, scholarships, and other forms of financial support for international undergraduate students. Here are some of the scholarships available for international students at UBC:

International Major Entrance Scholarships (IMES)

The IMES are awarded to exceptional international students entering undergraduate programs at UBC. Students receive their IMES when they enter their first year at UBC, and the scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years of study. The number and level of these scholarships awarded each year vary, depending on available funding. For the 2025/2026 academic year, IMES awards are valued at $10,000 – $20,000/year.

Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award

The OIS Award is a one-time, merit-based entrance scholarship awarded to qualified students when they are offered admission to UBC. Students selected for this award demonstrate strength academically and display involvement outside the classroom. For the 2025/2026 academic year, OIS awards will be valued at $10,000 – $25,000.

Vantage One Program Awards

Awards of up to $25,000 are offered to students beginning their undergraduate studies in the Vantage One Programs at UBC. All Vantage One students are automatically considered for this award when they apply to one of the programs. The awards are primarily granted based on academic merit, but financial need is also considered.

Scholarships for international students at York University

York University, a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, offers scholarships for international students. The York University Scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year provides recipients with $45,000 per year to support their undergraduate studies in Canada, totalling an award value of $180,000.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be an international student with a valid study permit and paying international fees.
• Have applied to an undergraduate degree program at York University starting in Fall 2025.
• Have applied directly from high school within two years of graduation, with no prior university or college experience (not applicable to the Tentanda Via Award).
• Have an excellent academic record with a minimum "A" average or equivalent.
• Have demonstrated leadership through community service or excellence in arts, sports, or other areas of individual achievement.
• Submit a letter of recommendation and other supporting documents.
• Complete the International Student Scholarship & Award Application form online by February 15, 2025.

It is important to note that applicants whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English at the level expected by the university.

In addition to the York University Scholarship, there are other scholarship opportunities in Canada for international students offered by the government, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations. Global Affairs Canada, for example, participates in major international scholarship programs, providing various scholarship opportunities for international students to study, research, or pursue professional development in Canada.

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