“Have you ever considered the benefits of studying in Canada? Studying in Canada will provide you with the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, network with students and professionals from all over the world, and obtain skills that will help you progress your career for a brighter future.

There are a variety of financial aid alternatives available to assist you in funding your studies in Canada. Scholarships, grants, and bursaries are all examples of this. Despite the fact that there are no tuition-free institutions, you can still study for free in Canada.  In this article, we will discuss the various types of scholarships available for international students in a bit more detail.

Before we begin, here are 3 quick facts you need to know about scholarships in Canada:

1. The application process and deadlines vary
2. Granted for outstanding academics or extracurricular achievements
3. Not required to pay back

Now let’s read in detail the various scholarships offered as per the qualification levels, starting from undergraduate levels.

Undergraduate scholarships for international students

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships

This University of Toronto scholarship programme is intended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and creativity and who are recognized as leaders within their school. A special emphasis is placed on the impact the student has had on the life of their school and community, and their future potential to contribute positively to the global community.  This scholarship is awarded to approximately 37 international students each year.

• Eligibility: You must be an international student (a non-Canadian who requires a study permit), currently in your final year of secondary school or have graduated no earlier than June 2021, and begin your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2022.
• Other criteria: To become a Lester B. Pearson Scholar, you must be nominated by your school and apply to undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto.
• What it covers: Tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years.
• Deadline to apply: Usually January
• How to apply: Follow the instructions on the official website of The University of Toronto and submit their applications directly to the University.

University of British Columbia International Scholars Program

These scholarships are given out on the basis of both excellence and necessity. Each academic year, UBC awards fifty scholarships in four categories: Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award, Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award, International Impact Award, and Vantage One Excellence Award.

• Eligibility: You must be an international student on a Canadian study permit entering UBC from a recognized secondary school or transferring from your first year at another college or university. You must have graduated from high school no earlier than June 2021 and be applying for your first undergraduate degree. In addition, you must demonstrate a level of financial need that would otherwise prevent you from pursuing a degree at UBC.
• What it covers: Awards are based on need, with the university dedicating approximately $10 million CAD a year to the fifty recipients in the program. Recipients also gain access to unique learning opportunities, annual retreats, dedicated advisors, and more.
• Deadline to apply: Usually December
• Other criteria: You only submit one application and don’t choose which award you’d like to receive. Rather, UBC will automatically consider you for all awards you’re eligible for.

Detailed instructions on the application process can be found on UBC’s International Scholars Program webpage.

Carleton Entrance Awards for International Students

This program awards international students entering their first year of study at Carleton University with a record of high academic achievement.

• Eligibility: You must be admitted to Carleton with an average of 80 percent or higher in high school, as well as meet the university’s language requirements.
• What it covers: Award amounts vary based on your grade average, but begin at a total of $4,000 CAD ($1,000 x four years) and go up to $16,000 CAD ($4,000 x four years) for the 2022 academic year.
• Deadline to apply: No separate application is required. If you’ve been admitted to Carleton, you’ll automatically be considered for a scholarship.
• Other criteria: Scholarship value is calculated on your grade average at the time of admission and won’t be recalculated based on your final marks.

More information can be found on their official website.

University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

Based on academic merit, this scholarship is offered annually to international students who have a track record of outstanding achievements both inside and beyond the classroom at the University of Calgary. This prize is currently offered to two students each year on the basis of merit.

• Eligibility: You must be an undergraduate international student entering the first year in any undergraduate degree in the upcoming fall term at the University of Calgary who has satisfied the university’s English Language Proficiency requirement. You must be a new student and present a minimum GPA of 3.20.
• What it covers: The scholarship is $15,000 CAD, renewable annually in the second, third, and fourth years at the University of Calgary, provided you achieve a GPA of 2.60 or more over a minimum of 24.00 units in the previous fall and winter terms. The total award amount is $60,000 CAD. 
• Deadline to apply: December. You can apply for scholarships directly through the UCalgary portal.

For more information, visit the University of Calgary’s International Entrance Scholarship webpage.

Humber International Entrance Scholarships

Humber offers scholarship opportunities for select international students enrolled in Graduate Certificate, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma students joining Humber in September, January, and May academic intakes for their 1st semester of study. This scholarship is awarded to ten undergraduate and ten graduate students each year.

• Eligibility: You must be enrolling at Humber College directly from a recognized secondary school, be a non-transfer student, and have a minimum final admission average of 85 percent. In addition, you’ll need a 6.5+ score in IELTS (or equivalent) to qualify.
• What it covers: $2,000 CAD, over the first two semesters of your study
• Deadline to apply: September intake: the last day of May prior to the Fall semester. January intake: the last day of September prior to the Winter semester. May intake: the last day of January prior to the Spring/Summer semester
• Other criteria: Even if you receive this scholarship, you’ll still have to pay the full tuition amount upfront. The scholarship amount will be credited to your account after the tenth day of classes.

In order to check if you are eligible for this scholarship, visit the official webpage.

All meritorious international students who have graduated from high school with a grade of 75 percent or higher are eligible for Bachelor’s Degree scholarships at Humber College. If you meet the criteria, you will be awarded the scholarship without having to fill out a new application.

Graduate scholarships for international students

University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship

Each year, more than $2 million is awarded to full-time masters and PhD students at the University of Manitoba who have a track record of superior intellectual ability and academic accomplishment.

• Eligibility: All students accepted into these programs without provisions are welcome to apply, regardless of citizenship, given they have a minimum GPA of 3.0 at the time of admission.
• What it covers: UMGF master’s awards are valued at $14,000 CAD per year for 12 or 24 months, for up to a total of $28,000 CAD. UMGF doctoral awards are valued at $18,000 CAD per year for 12, 24, 36, or 48 months, for up to a total of $72,000 CAD.
• Deadline to apply: Students must be recommended by their department or unit to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for a UMGF. Consult your department for information on the application process and deadline.

For more information, visit the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships webpage.

Waterloo International Master’s Award of Excellence

This scholarship is for international students interested in pursuing research-based Master’s degree programmes at the University of Waterloo for Winter, Spring, and Fall intakes.

• Eligibility: Applicants must be international students with a valid Canadian study permit who are registered full time. The scholarship is awarded to Master’s degree students in research-based programs, and only students entering the first term of their program are eligible. Additional academic criteria will be decided upon by the faculty and you must not have any outstanding academic or probation issues.
• What it covers: The scholarship award is valued at $2,500 CAD per term for a maximum of five terms.
• Deadline to apply: You’ll be automatically considered for this scholarship with the submission of your regular application. The application deadline for most Master’s programs commencing September 2022 fall from January to February 2022.

For further information about this award, visit their official website

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Leadership Scholarships

This three-year scholarship programme, which is not affiliated with any specific learning institution, gives funding and other opportunities to twelve full-time doctoral students.

• Eligibility: Non-Canadians can be either permanent residents or foreign nationals enrolled in a doctoral program at a recognized Canadian institution. The field of study should be related to the humanities or human sciences with direct relevance to Canada’s future. You must already be accepted into years one or two of a doctoral program and expected to complete your studies by 2025.
• What it covers: Up to $40,000 CAD per year for three years to cover tuition and reasonable living expenses to focus on their doctoral studies and the Foundation’s leadership program. Additionally, up to $20,000 CAD per year for three years, for the learning of languages, for travel and accommodations for the Foundation’s leadership program, and for research, networking, and travel-related to their doctoral research. There will also be access to opportunities to acquire greater proficiency in Canada’s official languages (French and English) as well as Indigenous languages.
• Deadline to apply: December
• Other criteria: The selection process is a rigorous one involving multiple rounds of interviews. If successful, you’ll be expected to participate in and organize activities related to the Foundation outside your normal course of study.

More information on this scholarship program can be found here

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

This scholarship recognizes students enrolled in graduate studies at 19 publicly-funded Ontario universities, including the University of Toronto, University of Guelph, McMaster University, University of Ottawa, Queen’s University, Ryerson University, University of Waterloo, Western University, and York University. Each award is jointly funded by the Province of Ontario (two-thirds) and the school offering the award (one-third).

• Eligibility: International students who are studying or plan to study a full-time graduate program (master’s or doctoral level) at one of the 19 participating universities in Ontario under a valid temporary resident visa (student study permit) are eligible for OGS awards (valid study permits must be effective as of the graduate units’ OGS international application deadline). Currently registered international graduate students who have not yet been able to obtain a study permit due to COVID-19 circumstances are also temporarily eligible to apply. Applications are assessed on merit and must meet the criteria set by the participating schools.
• What it covers: The value of the OGS is $5,000 CAD per term. Thus, awardees may receive $10,000 CAD for two consecutive terms or $15,000 CAD for three consecutive terms.
• Deadline to apply: The date will be set by your graduate department or unit, who will then forward selected applications to OGS for final consideration.
• Other criteria: Applicants must submit an OGS application to their proposed graduate unit using their school’s centralized OGS application portal. If you’re applying to multiple participating schools, you’ll need to submit a different OGS application for each school.

For more information, visit the Ontario Graduate Scholarships webpage.

Where can you learn more about international student scholarships in Canada?

This list of scholarships is by no means exhaustive, so conduct your own research to see what else is available. Begin by seeing if your university provides any international student scholarships for which you are eligible. To pursue your dream of studying in Canada, you may be eligible for program-specific or independent scholarships. Educanada, studentawards.ca, and scholarshipscanada.com are excellent resources.

Conclusion

It might be expensive to study in Canada as an international student. Scholarships and grants are available from the Canadian government, non-profit organizations, and international organizations for international students who wish to study in Canadian colleges, universities, and institutes. This article will help you begin your search for scholarships to help you pay for your education in Canada. You can also connect with our team of study experts for assistance.”