Top Scholarships to Study in Canada

Guides

One of the most pressing concerns of pursuing global ed is the high investment. The tuition, rent, and other living expenses often amount to more than one has planned for. An investment in education is worth its while, but the decision becomes much easier if aid is available and within reach.

Canadian universities are known to help international students with several scholarships, bursaries, and other means of financial aid. Sometimes these may also come from other government and private establishments.

Here are some scholarships you can apply for if you plan to study in Canada. To make it easier for you, we’ve covered the eligibility criteria, expenses, and some useful links.


Best study Scholarships in Canada


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


One of the most sought-after scholarships to study in Canada, the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program covers all expenses borne by students. It is awarded to highly accomplished students. Only 37 are awarded each year.

Also Read: How to Study in Canada for Free in 2023?

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • An international student (requiring a study permit)
  • currently studying in your final year of secondary school or have graduated no earlier than June 2019
  • You must be nominated by your school
Covered Expenses
  • Tuition fees
  • Residential Expenses
  • Books, incidental fees
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate Degree
Time of Application
  • Currently closed. Last year’s deadline:
    November 29th
    (Check the link below for the latest information).
Link

2. McGill University

How to get scholarship to study in Canada? McGill is one of the top universities in Canada. Entrance scholarships are offered to students based on merit and Entrance Bursaries are offered on the basis of financial need.

Entrance Scholarships

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • Type 1: One year: Solely based on academic achievement(not renewable)
  • Type 2: Major: Based on academic achievement, leadership qualities and community service (renewable)
Covered Expenses
  • Range from $3,000 to $10,000
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate Degree
Time of Application
  • No application is required.
  • Students entering their first year of study will be automatically considered.
    (Check the link below for the latest information).
Link

Entrance Bursaries

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • Good academic standing
  • Demonstrable financial need
Covered Expenses
  • Varying amounts
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate Degree. Any field
Time of Application
  • Apply via: Entrance Financial Aid via the Financial Aid Menu on Minerva once they have been accepted to the University.
Link

3. University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo Entrance Student Scholarship

The Entrance Student Scholarship Award is awarded to outstanding international students who are admitted into the first year of their study program. Only 20 of such awards are given out annually.

 

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • An international student (requiring a study permit)
  • Admission average of 90% or above
  • An admission Information Form (AIF) may also be considered
  • Euclid Math Contest results (for mathematics students only)
Covered Expenses
  • $10,000/ per year
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate Degree. Any field.
Time of Application
  • No application required
Link

4. University of Waterloo
Arthur F. Church Mechanical Engineering Scholarships

Exclusively for students pursuing majors in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, each year only two Arthur F. Church Mechanical Engineering Scholarships are awarded to outstanding students.

 

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
Covered Expenses
  • Up to $5,000
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate Degree in Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering.
Time of Application
  • No application is required.
Link

5. University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan International Excellence Awards

The International Excellence Award at the University of Saskatchewan is one of the highest-valued scholarships available for international students. It is a one-time scholarship and only four of them are awarded each year. No application is required – international students applying for undergraduate studies will be considered.

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • International student
  • Academic achievement
Covered Expenses
  • A one-time award of $10,000
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate; any field
Time of Application
  • Currently closed. Last deadlines:
    February 15, 2020.
    (Check the link below for the latest deadlines).
Link

6. University of New Brunswick
Entrance Scholarship

This scholarship is open to all students. The consideration process only begins after you have been admitted into the university. It is strongly advised to apply within the deadline since the number of available scholarships is limited after that.

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • International, Canadian or transfer student
Covered Expenses
  • Ranges between $500 – $52,000
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate Degree. Any field
Time of Application
  • Last deadline:
    March 1, 2020.
    (Check the link below for latest deadlines).
Link

7. York University
York University Talent Entrance Scholarship

The York University Talent Entrance Scholarship is an award based on talent in arts, media, performance, and design. 15 such awards are given every year. No separate application process is required for this award. Those applying to York University’s School of Arts, Media, Performance, and Design will be considered based on their performance during evaluation.

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • An international student (requiring a study permit)
  • Performance in evaluation required for admission to the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design
Covered Expenses
  • Varied
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate Degree
Time of Application
  • Does not require a separate application. You will be considered automatically when you apply to study in the School of Arts, Media, Performance, and Design.
Link

8. University of British Columbia, British Columbia
Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award at University of British Columbia

The Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award is awarded to students who show exceptional abilities in leadership, community service, academic achievement and involvement in student affairs.

 

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • An international student (requiring a study permit)
  • Minimum average “A”
  • Display of financial need
  • Application to UBC
Covered Expenses
  •  Varying
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate Degree. Any field.
Time of Application
  • Currently closed. Last year’s deadlines:
  • December 1: Award Application
  • January 31: Submission of proof that you have met the English requirements of UBC
Link

9. University of Manitoba
International Undergraduate Student Entrance Scholarships

The International Undergraduate Student Entrance Scholarships at the University of Manitoba are awarded to academic excellence exhibited by international students.

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • An international student who has applied to study at the University of Manitoba by May 1;
  • Are paying international fee rates
  • Minimum high school average: 85%
Covered Expenses
  • Averages greater than or equal to 95% – $3,000
  • Averages greater than or equal to 90% – $2,000
  • Averages greater than or equal to 85% – $1,000
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate. Any field
Time of Application
  • Currently closed. Last deadline:
    March 1, 2020.
    (Check the link below for the latest deadlines).
Link

10. Western University
International President’s Entrance Scholarship

All students admitted to Western are automatically considered for this scholarship for studying in Canada. Only 3 such scholarships are awarded to exceptional students every year. This award is part of the National Scholarship Program. Students must complete a National Scholarship application in order to apply for this award.

 

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • Open to both international as well as Canadian citizens
  • Creative and innovative thought, a significant achievement in extracurricular activities
Covered Expenses
  • $50,000 each
    ($6,000 in the first year + $2,000 for an optional study-abroad experience)
    (Provided student maintains a minimum GPA of 2.60)
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate
Time of Application
  • Currently closed. Last year’s deadlines:
    February 14, 2020
    (Check the link below for the latest information).
Link

11. University of Winnipeg
Winnipeg President’s Scholarships for World Leaders

The Winnipeg President’s Scholarships for World Leaders is one of the latest scholarships launched by the University of Winnipeg. It’s open to international students entering their first year of any program. Candidates must display excellence in leadership.

 

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • Applicants must be involved in activities that exhibit leadership
  • Minimum 80% admission average
Covered Expenses
  • $5,000
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate /Master’s Degree.Any field.
Time of Application
  • Currently closed. Last year’s deadlines:
    June 1
    (Check the link below for the latest information).
Link

12. University of Calgary
University of Calgary Entrance Scholarships
.

The Entrance Scholarship at the University of Calgary is offered to incoming international students who demonstrate academic excellence as well as achievements that go beyond the classroom.

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • An international student registered full-time at the University of Calgary for the fall term
  • Satisfy English Language Requirements
  • Academic merit
Covered Expenses
  • Total amount: $15,000 (renewed over four years)
    (Provided student maintains a minimum GPA of 2.60)
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate. Any field.
Time of Application
  • December 1
    (Check the link below for the latest information).
Link

13. Canadian Government
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)

Named after Canada’s first francophone Governor-General, Major-General Georges P, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is awarded to excellent doctoral candidates.

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • 3 important criteria; academic excellence, research potential, and leadership
  • Be nominated by only one Canadian university that has a CGS quota
  • Be pursuing your first doctoral degree
Covered Expenses
  • $50,000 for three years
Level & Field of Study
  • PhD in health research; natural sciences and/or engineering research; and social sciences and/or humanities research
Time of Application
  • November 3, 2020
Link

14. University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia - Kathryn Huget Leadership Award 2020

The Kathryn Huget Leadership award is a scholarship awarded to Ph.D./Masters students. Preference is given to female students who have displayed leadership via roles etc.

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • An international student seeking admission at UBC
  • Be studying at the Ph.D. or Masters level
Covered Expenses
  • Minimum of $1,000
Level & Field of Study
  • Ph.D./Masters
    Preferred: organizational behavior, business administration, business and commerce, sociology, or psychology. sciences and/or humanities research
Time of Application
  • Currently closed. Last deadlines:
    June 30, 2020
    (Check the link below for the latest information).
Link

15. York University
York University – Dean’s International Scholarship 2020-21

The Dean’s International Scholarship is offered to incoming students pursuing MBA/IIMBA based on academic excellence. Only 10 of such scholarships are awarded every year. Please check the link for the latest application deadlines.

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • International student
  • incoming full-time international Schulich MBA/IMBA students
Covered Expenses
  • $6,000/year – renewable after two years if recipient has a minimum GPA of 7.00 (A-)
Level & Field of Study
  • MBA
Time of Application
  • No application process required.
Link

16. University of Fraser Valley
Excellence Entrance Award

The Excellence Entrance Award is for top international students who choose to pursue their MBA degree from the University of Fraser Valley. In a single year, 35 of these awards are given (25 in the summer entry and the remaining 10 in the winter intake). Please check the link below for the latest application deadlines.

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • International students
  • Minimum GPA 3.50
Covered Expenses
  • $10,000/per year to cover educational expenses
Level & Field of Study
  • MBA (any field/subject)
Time of Application
  • April 1 (Fall semester entrants)
  • August 1 (Winter semester entrants)
Link

17.University of Alberta
Izaak Walton Memorial Funding

The Izaak Walton Memorial Funding is a scholarship offered by the University of Alberta to Ph.D. students across all fields. It offers CAD $45,000 per year for two years on a renewal basis. Please check the link for the latest application deadlines.

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • International/domestic student
  • Minimum one year of graduate work (master’s or doctoral level) before start of tenure
Covered Expenses
  • $45,000/per year for two years; subject to renewal
Level & Field of Study
  • Ph.D. (any field/subject)
Time of Application
  • Currently closed. Last deadlines:
    February 28, 2020.
    (Check the link below for the latest deadlines).
Link

18. University of Ottawa
President and Chancellor’s Scholarships

The President and Chancellor’s Scholarships are one of the most prestigious at the University of Ottawa. They are awarded to the absolute top international students – since there is only one of each to be awarded.

Scholarship Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • International student
  • Minimum admission average of 92%
  • Demonstrate leadership qualities
Covered Expenses
  • The President’s Scholarship: $30,000 ($7,500 per year)
  • Chancellor’s Scholarship: $26,000 ($6,500 per year).
  • Renewable for all three years (CGPA 8.50)
Level & Field of Study
  • Undergraduate; All fields
Time of Application
  • Currently closed. Last deadlines:
    April 30, 2020.
    (Check the link below for the latest deadlines).
Link

We hope you found these helpful. Do make note of the timelines and eligibility criteria – plan your global ed journey now. Also, here’s a great guide on Canada as a global education destination. So prepare yourself for a post-COVID world and start your research today.

Here are some more articles you may also like

Subscribe!

No spam, just your favourite topics.

Choose Insight topics that you are interested in to subscribe for your personalized newsletter.

A world
of possibilities awaits.
Join the movement.
Find your perfect university,
in one of 40 countries all over the world
Prepare for the future,
whether at university, business or in employment
Secure your future,
through STEM courses
Connect with leading international companies
and unlock the potential of your team
Fill in the form, so we can contact
you and start our journey together.