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Canadian University Scholarships
6 min read
Scholarships in Canada for international students are available at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral level, offered by universities, the Canadian government, provincial governments, and private foundations. Most international students are funded through university entrance scholarships, while a small number of highly competitive awards cover full tuition and living costs.
Eligibility, value, and deadlines vary widely between awards, and many are linked to your admission application, so knowing which scholarships suit your profile before you apply to universities makes a real difference.
Canada Scholarships for International Students at a Glance
| Scholarship | Study Level | What It Covers | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship | Undergraduate | Tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence for four years | Final-year secondary students nominated by their school |
| UBC International Scholars Program | Undergraduate | Merit and need-based awards, varying by financial need | Students with strong academics and leadership |
| University entrance scholarships | Undergraduate and postgraduate | Partial tuition reductions, one-off or renewable | Admitted students, often assessed automatically |
| Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) | PhD | CAD 40,000 a year for three years | Students enrolled in a PhD at an eligible Canadian institution |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) | Master’s and PhD | Merit-based funding for graduate study | High-achieving students at Ontario universities |
| Mitacs Globalink Research Internship | Undergraduate | Funded 12-week research internship in Canada | Undergraduates studying in eligible partner countries |
Types of Scholarships in Canada
Scholarships in Canada reduce the cost of tuition, accommodation, and research. They fall into four main types, and most international students combine a university award with their own funds rather than relying on a single scholarship.
Government Scholarships
Federal government scholarships focus mainly on doctoral research. The most important for international students is:
- Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D): Worth CAD 40,000 a year for three years, this replaced the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and is now open to international students enrolled in a PhD at an eligible Canadian institution. Up to 15% of awards go to international applicants, and applications are made through your university.
Government-funded awards for undergraduates and taught master’s students are limited, which is why university scholarships matter so much at these levels.
Institutional Scholarships
Scholarships offered by Canadian universities are the main source of funding for international students. Notable examples include:
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto): A full four-year undergraduate award covering tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence. Students must be nominated by their secondary school and apply directly to the university.
- International Scholars Program (University of British Columbia): Includes the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award, which combines academic merit, leadership, and financial need.
- International entrance scholarships: Most Canadian universities offer entrance awards for high-achieving international students, many assessed automatically when you apply for admission.
Privately Funded and Regional Scholarships
Provincial governments and private foundations also fund international students, mainly at graduate level:
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS): A merit-based award for high-achieving master’s and doctoral students at Ontario universities, with a limited number of awards available to international students.
- Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarships: Multi-year funding for doctoral students researching issues of public importance, with a strong focus on leadership and public engagement.
Discipline-Specific Scholarships
Many faculties and departments offer their own scholarships based on your subject, particularly in STEM, business, and health. The Mitacs Globalink Research Internship also funds top undergraduates from partner countries to complete a 12-week research project with Canadian professors, which can be a useful route into future graduate study in Canada.
Expert View
“Most of our students who receive funding in Canada get it through university entrance awards, not the headline national scholarships. Many are assessed from your admission application, so choosing universities with strong international award programmes and applying early usually matters more than chasing one fully funded award.” – Rahul Chauhan, Counsellor, StudyIn.
Scholarship Application Process and Tips
- Start early: Major scholarship deadlines often fall between October and February for September entry, and some university awards are only open to students who apply for admission by an early deadline.
- Check whether you need to apply separately: Some entrance scholarships are automatic, while others need a separate application, essay, or school nomination.
- Prepare a strong package: Most competitive awards ask for a personal statement, references, and evidence of leadership or community involvement alongside strong grades.
- Tailor every application: Show how your goals match the specific aims of each award, whether that’s research excellence, leadership, or social impact.
- Plan your funding as a whole: Most scholarships are partial, so you’ll still need to show enough money for tuition and living costs when you apply for your study permit.
To see how scholarships fit into your overall budget, read about tuition fees and the cost of studying in Canada.
Canada Scholarship Search
The scholarships you can realistically win depend on your grades, study level, subject, and the universities you apply to, and the best opportunities are often university- or faculty-specific awards that are easy to miss. StudyIn (formerly SI-UK) has over 20 years of experience supporting international students, and our counsellors can help you shortlist Canadian universities with strong funding for your profile and time your applications around scholarship deadlines.
We also support you with admissions, financial evidence, your study permit, and pre-departure planning, and our service is free throughout.
FAQs
Are There Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada?
Yes, but they are highly competitive. The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence for four years of undergraduate study, and the CGRS D provides CAD 40,000 a year for doctoral students. Most international students receive partial scholarships that cover part of their tuition.
Can I Apply for a Scholarship Before Getting a Visa?
Yes. Most scholarships are tied to your admission application, so you usually apply before your study permit. Proof of a scholarship can then be included as part of your financial evidence when you apply for your study permit.
Do I Need a High GPA for a Canadian Scholarship?
Most merit-based scholarships expect strong grades, often around 80% or above or the equivalent in your country’s grading system. Some awards also weigh leadership, community involvement, or financial need alongside grades.
Can I Hold More Than One Scholarship at a Time?
It depends on each award’s rules. Many students hold a university entrance scholarship alongside another award, but some major scholarships limit or prohibit holding other significant funding at the same time, so always check the terms.
Is the Vanier Scholarship Still Available?
No. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program has been replaced by the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D), which is open to international students enrolled in a PhD at an eligible Canadian institution.
Is StudyIn’s Scholarship Support Free?
Yes. StudyIn’s core service is free throughout the process, including university shortlisting, scholarship guidance, applications, and study permit support.