Canada is renowned for its world-class education system, stunning landscapes, and multicultural society. If you’re looking to pursue your studies in this beautiful country, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities available to help you achieve your goals.

In this blog post, we’ll explore over 20 scholarship options that can help you fund your studies in Canada. We’ll cover a variety of scholarships, including government-funded programs, university-specific awards, and scholarships based on academic merit, financial need, or field of study.

Get ready to discover how you can turn your dream of studying in Canada into a reality!

20+ Scholarship Opportunities in Canada

Canada offers a wide range of scholarships for international students, providing financial assistance for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. These scholarships are either government-funded, university-specific, or offered by organizations to attract talented individuals to Canadian universities. Below, we’ll review over 20 scholarship opportunities in Canada, outlining their eligibility criteria, application requirements, how to apply, and the financial support they offer.

1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)

This prestigious scholarship supports students pursuing doctoral degrees in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.

• Eligibility: Open to both Canadian and international students with academic excellence and leadership potential.
• Amount: CAD 50,000 per year for three years.
• How to Apply: Applications are submitted through a Canadian university with Vanier CGS allocation. Students must be nominated by their institution.
• Requirements: High academic performance, research proposal, leadership qualities, and reference letters.

2. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto)

This scholarship is designed for international students with outstanding academic achievements and leadership potential.

• Eligibility: Open to international students applying for undergraduate programs.
• Amount: Full coverage of tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence for four years.
• How to Apply: You must be nominated by your school and apply to the University of Toronto. A separate scholarship application is required after admission.
• Requirements: School nomination, application to the university, and strong academic record.

3. University of British Columbia (UBC) International Scholarships

UBC offers a range of scholarships and awards to recognize academic excellence for international students.

• Eligibility: Open to international students applying to undergraduate programs.
• Amount: Full or partial tuition coverage, with some scholarships offering CAD 5,000 to CAD 40,000.
• How to Apply: Scholarships are automatically considered when applying to UBC, with no separate application required for certain awards.
• Requirements: Outstanding academic achievement, personal profile, and extracurricular involvement.

4. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is offered to both Canadian and international students pursuing master’s or doctoral studies in Ontario universities.

• Eligibility: Available to students with an A- average or above in their most recent academic work.
• Amount: CAD 10,000 to CAD 15,000 per year.
• How to Apply: Apply directly to the university where you are pursuing graduate studies.
• Requirements: Academic excellence, research plan, and reference letters.

5. McGill University Scholarships and Financial Aid

McGill University provides merit-based entrance scholarships for undergraduate students as well as financial aid for both undergraduate and graduate students.

• Eligibility: Open to both domestic and international students based on academic merit.
• Amount: Ranges from CAD 3,000 to CAD 12,000 for one-year or renewable entrance scholarships.
• How to Apply: No separate application is needed for entrance scholarships, but students can apply for in-course awards after admission.
• Requirements: Strong academic performance, extracurricular activities, and personal essays.

6. Trudeau Foundation Scholarships

Trudeau Foundation Scholarships support doctoral students in the social sciences and humanities.

• Eligibility: Open to Canadian citizens and international students enrolled in a doctoral program at a Canadian institution.
• Amount: CAD 40,000 per year for up to three years, plus a research and travel allowance.
• How to Apply: Apply through the Trudeau Foundation website.
• Requirements: Leadership potential, academic excellence, and a research project related to Canada’s priorities.

7. University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

This is a merit-based scholarship for international students applying to undergraduate programs at the University of Calgary.

• Eligibility: Open to international students who are new to the University of Calgary.
• Amount: CAD 15,000, renewable annually.
• How to Apply: Apply after being admitted to the University of Calgary.
• Requirements: Excellent academic performance, extracurricular activities, and a personal essay.

8. York University International Student Scholarship Program

York University offers scholarships to high-achieving international students at the undergraduate level.

• Eligibility: International students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership.
• Amount: CAD 20,000 to CAD 35,000 per year.
• How to Apply: Apply to York University and complete a separate scholarship application.
• Requirements: High academic performance, leadership experience, and a personal statement.

9. Concordia University International Excellence Awards

Concordia University offers several scholarships for international undergraduate students.

• Eligibility: Open to new international students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership.
• Amount: Full tuition coverage.
• How to Apply: Automatically considered when applying for admission.
• Requirements: Strong academic performance and personal achievements.

10. Carleton University Entrance Scholarships for International Students

Carleton University offers automatic entrance scholarships for international students based on academic merit.

• Eligibility: International students entering their first year of study.
• Amount: CAD 4,000 to CAD 16,000 over four years.
• How to Apply: No separate application required; awards are based on admission applications.
• Requirements: High academic achievement.

Here are 10 more scholarship opportunities in Canada for international students, offering funding for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies. These scholarships, provided by universities, government programs, and private organizations, help ease the financial burden of studying abroad.

11. University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (UMGF)

UMGF is awarded to full-time graduate students (master’s and PhD) in any academic discipline at the University of Manitoba.

• Eligibility: Open to all students, including international students, with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Amount: CAD 14,000 for master’s students and CAD 18,000 for PhD students per year.
• How to Apply: Students must apply through their department or faculty.
• Requirements: Strong academic record and research proposal.

12. University of Waterloo International Master’s and Doctoral Student Awards

Waterloo offers merit-based awards for international students enrolled in research-based master’s or doctoral programs.

• Eligibility: Open to full-time international students pursuing a research-based degree.
• Amount: CAD 2,500 per term for up to five terms.
• How to Apply: Automatically considered after admission to a program at Waterloo.
• Requirements: Excellent academic performance.

13. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

This scholarship supports international doctoral students who demonstrate leadership potential and a desire to contribute to solving global challenges.

• Eligibility: Open to international students pursuing a PhD in the social sciences and humanities.
• Amount: CAD 40,000 per year for up to three years, plus CAD 20,000 annually for travel and research.
• How to Apply: Applications are submitted through the Trudeau Foundation’s website.
• Requirements: Leadership potential, academic excellence, and a research proposal relevant to Canada’s priorities.

14. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program offers funding to top-tier postdoctoral researchers, both Canadian and international.

• Eligibility: Open to international postdoctoral researchers in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.
• Amount: CAD 70,000 per year for two years.
• How to Apply: Apply through the Banting Fellowship website.
• Requirements: High academic standing and a research project that aligns with Canada’s national priorities.

15. Dalhousie University Scholarships

Dalhousie University provides a variety of scholarships for international students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.

• Eligibility: Open to international students with excellent academic standing.
• Amount: Varies; undergraduate scholarships range from CAD 500 to CAD 5,000, and graduate scholarships can cover full tuition.
• How to Apply: Most scholarships are automatically awarded based on academic performance. Additional applications may be required for specific scholarships.
• Requirements: Academic excellence and extracurricular involvement.

16. Western University International President’s Entrance Scholarships

Western University offers entrance scholarships to international students with strong academic records and leadership potential.

• Eligibility: Open to international students applying to undergraduate programs.
• Amount: CAD 50,000 over four years.
• How to Apply: Students must apply for admission to Western and complete a separate scholarship application.
• Requirements: Strong academic performance and leadership achievements.

17. Simon Fraser University (SFU) International Undergraduate Student Entrance Scholarships

SFU offers several entrance scholarships to high-achieving international students.

• Eligibility: Open to international students applying for undergraduate programs.
• Amount: CAD 10,000 to full tuition coverage.
• How to Apply: No separate application required; students are automatically considered based on academic performance.
• Requirements: Strong academic record and involvement in extracurricular activities.

18. York University – Global Leader of Tomorrow Scholarships

York University offers the Global Leader of Tomorrow Scholarships for international students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership.

• Eligibility: Open to international students applying for an undergraduate degree.
• Amount: CAD 20,000 per year for four years.
• How to Apply: Applicants must apply for admission to York University and submit a scholarship application.
• Requirements: High academic performance and leadership experience.

19. University of Saskatchewan International Excellence Awards

These awards recognize the academic achievements of international students applying to undergraduate programs at the University of Saskatchewan.

• Eligibility: Open to international students applying for undergraduate degrees.
• Amount: CAD 10,000.
• How to Apply: Automatically considered upon application to the university.
• Requirements: Strong academic standing.

20. Carleton Prestige Scholarships

Carleton University offers several prestigious scholarships for international undergraduate students with outstanding academic records.

• Eligibility: Open to international students applying for undergraduate programs.
• Amount: CAD 20,000 to CAD 30,000 over four years.
• How to Apply: Submit a separate application after admission to Carleton University.
• Requirements: High academic achievement and leadership experience.

How to Apply for Scholarships in Canada

1. Research Scholarships: Start by identifying the scholarships you are eligible for based on your academic level and field of study.
2. Prepare Required Documents: Most scholarships will ask for academic transcripts, personal essays, recommendation letters, and proof of English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL).
3. Apply for University Admission: Many scholarships are tied to specific universities, so you need to apply for admission first.
4. Complete Scholarship Applications: Some scholarships require separate applications, while others automatically consider you upon admission.
5. Meet Deadlines: Pay close attention to scholarship deadlines, which can vary between programs and universities.
6. Follow Up: After applying, monitor your email for any updates or requests for additional documentation.

Conclusion

Canada provides a wealth of scholarship opportunities for international students to help fund their education at all levels. By exploring these 20+ options, students can reduce the cost of studying in one of the world’s top education destinations.

Make sure to research each scholarship’s requirements and deadlines to maximize your chances of receiving financial aid.