Canada: Scholarships for International Students

Due to high tuition fees in International colleges, students are unable to afford their studies. And when it comes to Canadian colleges and universities, the tuition fees for international students are one of the highest in the world.

However, if you qualify for a scholarship, your tuition fees would instantly decrease. And good news for international students, Canada has a lot of scholarship schemes to support students.

In this article, we are going to talk about the top scholarships that are available to international students who seek admission to Canadian colleges. So let’s look at Canada scholarship 2023 opportunities!

What are International Scholarships?

Scholarships are types of financial support/grants that students receive to study in Canada or study abroad in other countries. The number of scholarships for international students has been increasing over time as the number of students applying for admission every year is on the rise.

A lot of scholarship programs have been introduced by Canadian colleges and universities which make it easier for students to study in Canada. And the main motive behind these scholarship programs is to attract more and more international students towards post-secondary studies in Canada.

These scholarships help both local citizens and international students to pay their living costs, tuition fees, transportation costs, etc. These scholarships are mostly given to outstanding students who have the highest potential and exceptional academic achievement.

From a scholarship for Nepalese students in Canada to others for PhD degree courses, you can find a huge variety of opportunities.

International Student Scholarships for Studying Abroad

Many well-known Canadian universities offer scholarships for studying abroad. Let’s look at some schools giving scholarship in Canada.

1. The University of British Columbia (UBC)

The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers a lot of scholarships for students interested in studying at the university. The university has a dedicated department that negotiates with various agencies and organizations to offer financial aid to deserving students from around the world.

2. Ryerson University, Ontario

Ryerson University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario. The university offers a number of scholarships for students from various countries around the world.

3. Simon Fraser University, British Columbia

Simon Fraser University is one of the well-known public universities in Canada that offer a number of scholarships to students every year. There are a total of 42 scholarship programs offered by SFU and one can get a scholarship in almost any field they wish to study.

4. University of Victoria, British Columbia

The University of Victoria is one of the most well-known universities in Canada and it offers several scholarship programs for international students who seek admission to one of their campuses located across Canada. A total of 18 scholarships are offered through this university and one can apply in almost any field they want to study.

5. University of Alberta, Alberta

The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, AB. The university offers scholarships for international students from around the world who wish to pursue undergraduate or graduate studies at their campus.

6. York University, Ontario

York University is a public research university located in Toronto, Ontario. The university offers many different scholarship programs for international students every year and one can find scholarships in almost any field they wish to study.

7. Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia

Cape Breton University is a public Canadian university that was established back in the late 1990s. It is located in Cape Breton Island and offers scholarships for international students who wish to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral studies at this university.

8. Canada Christian College, Ontario

Canada Christian College has been the leading school for success in ministry since it was founded over 50 years ago. With a history that dates back to 1967, and an enrollment currently sit at 6500 graduates- including many leaders within these fields of work who have gone on to make significant impacts not only locally but globally as well! You may be eligible for Canada Christian College scholarships.

9. University of Toronto, Ontario

The University of Toronto is one of the world’s leading research institutions, and it is also a great place for international students. The university has a long tradition of welcoming students from around the world, and its diverse community is one of its biggest strengths. One of the reasons why the University of Toronto is such a great choice for international students is because of its excellent academic reputation. The university is home to some of the most respected scholars in the world, and its research facilities are second to none. In addition, the university offers a wide range of programs and courses, so there is something for everyone. Finally, the University of Toronto is located in one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the world. Toronto is a multicultural city with something to offer everyone, and it is an ideal place to live and study. When you choose the University of Toronto, you are choosing an institution with a proven track record of success.

These are some of the major universities in Canada that offer a number of scholarship programs for international students every year. A lot of other Canadian colleges also offer scholarship programs for international students but many receive very few applications so the chances of getting these scholarships are very low.

Now let’s take a look at some of the most popular Canadian scholarships for international students.

Undergraduate International Student Scholarships in Canada:

There are a number of Canadian scholarship opportunities that offer full undergraduate scholarships for undergraduate programs every year. These degree level scholarships cover both tuition fees and living expenses and can be awarded to international undergraduate students every year.

1. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships

The Pearson International Scholarship Program is offered by the Government of Canada in order to attract a number of the best and brightest students from around the world in various fields. The scholarship program awards up to 100 scholarships annually to internationally-trained students who wish to pursue undergraduate studies at any one of 39 participating universities across Canada.

2. York University International Student Scholarship Program 

This program is open to international students who have applied or are applying for an undergraduate program at York University. Eligible students can get $60,000-$100,000 in scholarship funding for the entire length of their undergraduate degree. It brings great opportunities for students from various countries to study in Canada for a very affordable tuition fee.

3. University of British Columbia Scholarships for International Students

The scholarship offers a wide range of undergraduate scholarships for international students every year. International students who seek admission to one of the programs offered by this university can get full or partial funding for their tuition fees and living expenses.

4. Humber College International Entrance Scholarships

This scholarship is awarded to international students who wish to pursue studies at Humber College. Selected candidates can get up to $4,000 per year for the first two years of their program that covers both tuition fees and living expenses.

5. Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leaders

The Winnipeg International Scholarship is offered by the Government of Canada to attract some of the best international students from around the world. Eligible students can get full scholarships for their tuition fees, living expenses, books, and other miscellaneous fees including airport transfers upon arrival in Canada.

International Student Scholarships in Canada for Graduates

Just like undergraduate students, Canada also offers numerous postgraduate scholarships for students who are looking to pursue graduate studies in Canada. The following are some of the most popular Canadian scholarships for international graduate students:

1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

This scholarship program is awarded to doctoral students by the Government of Canada. The scholarship program awards up to $50,000 annually in order to attract some of the brightest minds from around the world for doctoral program/graduate studies at Canadian universities.

2. Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

A number of scholarships are available to international students looking for doctoral studies at any one of the seven universities across Canada. The scholarship program covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel allowance, health insurance, and book allowance.

3. Canadian Commonwealth Fellowship Program

The fellowship program awards up to 10 scholarships each year to international graduate students who wish to pursue advanced studies at one of the four universities across Canada. Doctoral-level students can get up to $75,000 (backed by the Canadian Government) that covers tuition fees and living expenses for their entire period of study.

4. University of Waterloo Master’s Awards of Excellence

A number of scholarships are available to international students looking for graduate studies at the University of Waterloo. Selected candidates can get up to $2,000 as a fellowship award and $10,000 as a research grant that covers some part of their tuition fees and living expenses.

5. Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

Under this scholarship, selected candidates can get up to $60,000 that covers everything for three years for their master’s degree. This scholarship is also given to candidates who are applying for PhD Scholarships in the social sciences and humanities. The Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships are open to foreign PhD students from the developing world.

Eligibility Criteria for an international student

The eligibility criteria generally differ according to each scholarship program. However, there are some common eligibility criteria that you need to meet in order to apply for international student scholarships. This includes:

1. You must hold a valid passport and student visa from your home country of origin or legal residency

2. You should have the required academic and language credentials for the scholarship program that you are applying for.

3. You should meet certain age and other eligibility criteria that may be specified by the scholarship program that you are applying for.

4. You must demonstrate your financial need in order to help support yourself while studying in Canada.

5. Most importantly you must have outstanding academic achievement.

Scholarship Application Procedure

The application procedure varies depending on the scholarship program that you are applying to. Usually, it includes:

1. Completing the scholarship application form

2. Writing an essay/research proposal

3. Attaching proof of your academic achievement, language skills, and employment experience

4. Submitting all required documents to the given authority

5. Participating in an interview or test if necessary for your application

6. Monitoring changes in government regulations and other scholarship program requirements

How to apply for an international student scholarship?

You can get details on how to apply for an international student scholarship by visiting the official website of the scholarship provider. However, the general process involves filling out a research abstract and submitting your application before deadlines set by each scholarship provider. Besides this, you are required to participate in an interview or written test if necessary.

A few suggestions:

• Do proper research of the scholarship providers and their eligibility criteria before you apply
• Make sure that you meet the basic eligibility criteria for an international scholarship
• Doing well in the required test or interview can significantly increase your chance of being selected for a scholarship.
• Keep track of the latest changes in government regulations, application deadlines, and other requirements
• Other essential tips include keeping copies of all required documents before sending them to the scholarship provider

Final thoughts:

Canada is one of the finest countries for higher studies. Not only is it a popular destination for international students from all over the world, but also attractive to candidates looking for scholarships and visitors in general. There are various scholarship programs available for international students to get admission in Canada and finance their education expenses. So make sure to do proper research and select the best scholarship program to apply for.

You might also be interested in studying in the U.S.

Are you searching for an engineering scholarship or a medical scholarship?

Posted in International Education, International Financial Aid News, International Scholarships, Study Abroad, Study in Canada