Canada is one of the most favourite locations to study abroad for international students. As the educational standards are high, the cost of studying in Canada is also expensive. Thanks to the scholarships schemes, which help international students to pursue their dream.
Scholarships for international students in Canada
Scholarships programs are one of the best options for international students to funds their studies in Canada. Some scholarships are awarded without any application and others must be applied with the required documents. The different scholarship has different eligibility criteria. Here is the information about the eligibility for obtaining the scholarship in Canada.
Eligibility criteria for scholarship in Canada
As an international student, you will have to fulfil certain criteria to obtain any scholarship in Canada. The first and foremost thing to get scholarships is that you should have a good academic score. Other factors are
- Your chosen university,
- Your subject and level
- Extracurricular activities,
- Result of an English language proficiency exam such as TOEFL, IELTS
- Your financial needs
- You course duration
How to apply for scholarships in Canada for international students in 2021?
You should start the procedure for applying for scholarships about 8-12 months before the intake begins. Here is the procedure of
how to get scholarships in Canada
- Initial research - You should start your process by researching the scholarships and other financial support options in your home country.
- Contact chosen university - You must contact the financial aid office of the university in Canada, you wish to attend. Ask them for information about scholarships for international students in Canada and eligibility criteria.
- Research additional opportunities - Explore the scholarships options offered by the government, non-profit organizations and private organisations in Canada.
- Application form - You have to fill and submit the scholarship application form. You can also apply online for some of the scholarships. You might need to give an entrance test or submit some of the required documents.
- Fees deduction - If you are successful in obtaining the scholarship, then the awarded amount will be paid towards your university tuition fee in Canada.
Types of scholarships available in Canada
The following table presents the types of scholarship available for international students in Canada and their details:
Types of Scholarships in Canada |
Description |
University scholarships |
Several universities in Canada offer some kind
of financial assistance for international students
studying at their university. |
Government-funded scholarships |
The Canadian government also offers many
scholarship programmes to encourage
international students to study in Canada. |
Privately funded scholarships |
Plenty of donors or private businesses in Canada
fund scholarship schemes for international students. |
Financial scholarships |
Some universities and organisations in Canada
offer scholarships based on the financial status
of international students. |
Merit scholarships |
These scholarships are for students who have
outstanding academic results, or excelled in a community
or entrepreneurial work or are top sports players. |
Here we have narrowed down some scholarships for international students, provided by the Canadian government, universities, and other organizations.
1. Canada government scholarship 2021
- Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
Scholarships and fellowships offered by the Canadian government to international students who want to undertake a masters degree in health research or social and natural sciences. This Fellowship awards the amount worth $70,000 per year for 2 years. This is one of the
scholarships for MBA in Canada.
- NSERC Postgraduate scholarships
It is financed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Plenty of scholarships, grants and awards are offered to students having an excellent academic record. These scholarships can only be obtained if you are undertaking study in the engineering or natural sciences at an accredited Canadian university. International students can obtain these
scholarships in Canada for masters.
These scholarships offered by the Canadian government to international students are for the study of Masters or doctoral-level research degrees at a university in Canada. The student must be coming from a developing country.
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program
This scholarship is open for international PhD students to
study in Canada. It is awarded by the Government of Canada to meritorious students. The scholarship will be awarded for 3 years in the amount of 50,000 CAD per year. This is one of the popular
PhD fellowship in Canada.
- Organization of American States (OAS) Academic Scholarship Program
Candian government offer scholarships to students coming from the Organization of American States (OAS). it is open for graduate students from any OAS member state including some selected countries in the Caribbean islands and Latin America.
- Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship
This scholarship is available only for international students studying in Quebec. Financial assistance will be provided at only the master’s level or above. Each scholarship application is examined based on its merit. For the Doctoral program, $25,000 a year and duration is up to 3 years with a possible extension to it of 12 months is available. For Short-term research or professional development scholarship, $3,000 each month for 4 months will be given.
2. Non-governmental scholarships to study in Canada
- Canada Memorial Scholarship
Canada Memorial Scholarship is full scholarships open for British students pursuing their studies at the master’s degree at any of the accredited university in Canada. It will cover your airfares, tuition, accommodation and much more. This is one of the popular
fully funded scholarships in Canada for international students.
- Anne Vallee Ecological Fund
This scholarship is introduced for international students who want to pursue animal research at the PhD level at the accredited university of Canada in Québec or British Columbia. This fund offers two $1,500 scholarships. International students can apply for these
scholarships in Canada for PhD.
- Trudeau foundation scholarships
The Trudeau Foundation offers several scholarships, mentorships and fellowships to international students. This is available only at PhD level studies which should be undertaken in Canada at selective institutions. The amount $40,000 per year for 3 years for research and $20,000 per year for 3 years as travel allowance
- Shastri Indo Canadian institute scholarship
Shastri Research Student Fellowship is only for Indian students who want to pursue research at a Canadian university. The amount awarded is CAD 500-1,000. The scholarship duration is for 8 to 12 weeks. This is one of the most chosen
scholarships to study in Canada for Indian students.
- Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
This scheme is for high intellect students coming from Commonwealth countries and applying to programs at the Master and PhD level in Canada. The award covers travel, living allowance and compulsory tuition fees. It provides $10,000.
3. University Scholarships in Canada
Universities and colleges in Canada award a plethora of scholarships to international students to help them finance their higher educational studies. Here is the list of a few:
- McGill University Scholarships and Student Aid
Several funding opportunities, such as McGill Entrance Scholarship Program and the PBEEE - Quebec Merit Scholarship are available for international students enrolled in graduate and postdoctoral studies.
- HEC Montréal Scholarships
HEC Montréal offers Various merit- and need-based scholarships to international students. It also includes mobility scholarships. These are popular
scholarships in Canada for Indian students and other international students.
- Carleton University Awards for International Students
Carleton University offers various scholarships to excellent undergraduate international students. The Richard Lewar Entrance Scholarship, The Chancellor’s Scholarship, the Carleton University Scholarship of Excellence, the Carleton University SHAD Scholarship, the Riordon Scholarship, and the Collins Prestige Scholarship are the scholarships offered by Carleton University. These scholarships differ in eligibility and scholarship amount.
- International Student Scholarships at Humber College Canada
Humber offers full and partial tuition scholarships to the international students enrolled at the undergraduate level, beginning classes in September and January of each year. These are renewable schaolarships.
- University of British Columbia Scholarships for International Students
The University of British Columbia spends more than $10 million each year towards awards, scholarships and other forms of financial assistance for outstanding international students.
- The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (UMGF)
the University of Manitoba awards merit-based fellowship to international students who have applied for the full-time graduate program. These scholarships are valued at $14,000 for postgraduate studies and $18,000 for doctoral studies. This is one of the major
scholarships for PhD in Canada.
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships
This Scholarship Program is awarded to students coming from other countries to study at the University of Toronto. This is especially for those who demonstrate excellent academic achievement and creativity. It will cover tuition fee, purchase of books, incidental fees, and full residence support for the duration of 4 years.
- Concordia University International Undergraduate Awards
Concordia University offers scholarships to international students who wish to pursue their undergraduate studies at their university.
- Fairleigh Dickinson Scholarships for International Students
Fairleigh Dickinson University offers Scholarships to international students who want to pursue their studies at any level in their university in Vancouver.
- Dalhousie University Scholarships
This scholarship is open for both Canadian and international students studying at Dalhousie University in Halifax at all levels.
- University of Toronto Ontario Graduate Scholarship program
These scholarships are offered to international students studying at the University of Toronto’s School of Graduate Studies in Canada. The scholarship amount is $5,000 per session.
- The International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE)
This award is for eligible international master’s students enrolled in master’s degree or doctoral programs at the University of Waterloo in Canada. The award worth $2,500 per term for a maximum of five terms is offered.
- York University International Student Program
York University offers scholarships to undergraduate international students having an excellent academic record and enrolled in their university. These scholarships have the value of 60,000-$100,000 for the 4-year study programme.
- International Scholarships
Scholarships at Queen’s University are offered to international students. Specific awards from Queen’s University are open only for students of the USA, India and Pakistan.
All international students are eligible for scholarships to study at Quest University Canada. Scholarships are valued from CA$2,000 to the total tuition.
- University of Alberta International Scholarships
Several scholarship schemes are open for international students to pursue their undergraduate or graduate-level study at the University of Alberta in Canada.
- University of Calgary International Scholarships
The University of Calgary offers several full and partial scholarships to students coming from other countries to study at their university. The value of the scholarship ranges from CA$100 to CA$60,000.
- University of Saskatchewan International Student Awards
International students having an excellent academic record are eligible for the scholarship to study at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada.
- Simon Fraser University Financial Aid and Awards
Simon Fraser University offers several scholarships to current or potential international students in Canada.
We hope the above-mentioned information on scholarship in Canada is useful for you. If you are successful in getting a fully faded scholarship, you can make your way to
study in Canada for free. What are you waiting for? Start exploring the universities and scholarship options in Canada. Study abroad in Canada and build a bright future.