Top Scholarships in Canada for Indian Student 2026

Types of Canada Scholarships for Indian Students

Thousands of students dream to study in Canada to explore new things, and thanks to some of the financial aids that help to transform this dream into reality. For that, numerous scholarship for Indian students in Canada are easily accessible that can help to achieve studying and living pleasure. So, there are three types of scholarship to study in Canada. Have a look below.

• Government-Funded Scholarships - These scholarships are offered by the government, which allows international students to pursue their studies in Canada.
• University-Specific Scholarships – Some specific Universities and colleges offer scholarship in Canada for Indian students that assist them to acquire higher studies.
• Non-Government-Funded Scholarships - Non-profit organisations, charities, and independent trusts offer scholarships to Indian students who wish to study their desired program in Canada.

Let’s explore these types of financial aid in detail through the following sections.

Government-Funded Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada

The Canadian government provide many scholarships that help Indian students to pursue higher studies. Here are the top five scholarships in Canada for Indian students offered by the government that you must apply for.

1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are a non-renewable grant that helps Canadian institutions to attract doctoral students, depending on the selection criteria like academic records, research potential and leadership skills. This scholarship is named after Major-General Georges P. Vanier, who was Canada’s first francophone Governor General.

2. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships aim to draw attention to top-tier postdoctoral talent from around the world. This can be opted for by both international and Canadian researchers in health, engineering, social science, and humanities. Also, this scholarship in Canada for Indian students is a popular and prestigious Canadian federal government award and is administered by three major research councils.

3. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) is a merit-based Canadian scholarships for Indian students. It is funded by the government of Ontario to financially support graduate students. It is offered to the students who have been admitted to the graduate program at participating Ontario universities. It is open for both domestic and international students to study in Canada, helping them pursue higher studies.

4. Quebec Graduate Scholarships

This is one of the best scholarships in Canada for Indian students, offering a range of funding options for international students. Including doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships and short-term research scholarships. It generally refers to various financial awards to support graduate studies in their area.

5. IDRC Research Awards

The IDRC Research Awards are funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). It offers a paid, one-year position for master's or doctoral graduates to develop research capability for international students. It offers hands-on experience in research and grant administration.

University-Specific Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada

Many universities offer fully funded scholarships for Indian students in Canada. This helps to cover tuition fees and manage living expenses. Here is the list of scholarships for Indian students to study in Canada.

1. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is one of the popular scholarships in Canada for Indian students offered by the University of Toronto for undergraduate students. It aims to recognise students who showcase exceptional academic achievements, leadership, and creativity within the school and community. Also, it is a fully-funded scholarship and covers tuition fees, incidental fees, and provides residence support for four years.

2. UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES)

The UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) is a merit-based scholarship for exceptional international students entering a UG program at the University of British Columbia (UBC). It is automatically awarded to the eligible student who has strong academic, leadership skills and community involvement.

3. University of Waterloo International Student Entrance Scholarship

The University of Waterloo provides this award to first-year students and can be opted for by any undergraduate student from any field. It is a merit-based grant offering only 20 scholarships, and it's not required to submit a separate application.

4. McGill University Entrance & Need-Based Aid

McGill University offers a wide range of entrance scholarships as well as need-based financial support to students enrolled in undergraduate programmes. The entrance scholarship program is merit-based and given to those who have excellent academic records. Another need-based scholarship is the Entrance Bursary program.

5. University of Calgary – International Entrance Scholarship

The University of Calgary offer an International Entrance Scholarship yearly for students entering the first year of undergraduate studies based on merit. It recognises outstanding academic achievements and potential to contribute to the university community. They offer many scholarships.

Non-Government-Funded Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada

In Canada, you will find many non-profit or non-government-funded scholarships for Indian students. These are sponsored by private organisations, donors or businesses. It often aimed at students from developing countries and mainly offered in a particular discipline. Here is the list of the top non-government-funded scholarship for Indian students in Canada. Have a look at it.

1. Aga Khan Foundation

The Aga Khan Foundation is a popular non-government funded scholarships in Canada for Indian students. This grant is provided to talented students from developing countries, including India, to pursue postgraduate studies. This scholarship is 50% loan and 50% grant.

2. Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

The Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships is a popular Scholarship for Indian students in Canada offered by the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is a respected three-year Canadian scholarship program offered to students aiming to pursue a doctoral degree in the humanities and social sciences. This offers funding as well as other opportunities, like leadership development.

3. Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute

The Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute provide various fellowships and grants to encourage study abroad opportunities and cultural understanding between India and Canada. They provide various scholarship programs, research funding and more facilities.

4. Hani Zeini Scholarship

The Hani Zeini Scholarship is a grant that provides a specific amount to students with financial needs who want to pursue an entrepreneurial or enterprising career in finance or business. It is open to students worldwide, including Indians.

5. Anne Vallee Ecological Fund

This Anne Vallee Ecological Fund scholarship is for graduate students in Quebec or British Columbia seeking animal ecology and the impact of human activities. This financial aid is established in the memory of biologist Anne Vallée, who died during fieldwork.

How to Apply for Scholarships in Canada for Indian Students?

Sometimes, students get confused in many steps that can become dauting such as submitting wrong documents, providing incorrect information for scholarships in Canada for Indian students, not meeting requirements, etc. This led to disqualification, and in this case, it requires the right guidance on how to get scholarship in Canada to pursue higher studies. Here are the right steps to use while applying for a Canadian scholarship.

1. Research early to identify potential scholarships by visiting the websites of universities or other organisations.
2. Check the eligibility criteria to understand all the requirements and the type of award, such as merit-based, need-based or research-based scholarship that fits you.
3. Prepare and gather documents according to the requirements, such as academic transcripts, SOP, LOP, and English/ French language proficiency scores.
4. Apply early and fill out the form before the deadline to avoid any last-minute hassle. Be prepared as some scholarships may require an interview and other assessments. Also,apply to multiple scholarships at a time.
5. After submitting, take follow up to monitor your application status and respond promptly if additional details are required.

Tips for a Successful Application for Scholarships in Canada

Getting a scholarship is highly competitive due to the thousands of applications, and only a lucky one gets this chance who has a high-quality application. But by following these tips, you can get a scholarship to study in Canada. So let’s explore them.

1. Begin your research and application process early, at least 6 to 12 months before the academic year.
2. Must have a strong academic record, especially for merit-based and university-based scholarships, as they heavily rely on academic performance.
3. Build a holistic, powerful and convincing profile as grades are important, but many scholarship committees search for well-rounded applicants.
4. Craft an eye-catching and compelling statement of purpose (SOP) or essay.
5. Secure a strong letter of recommendation (LOR) from mentors, professors or employers who know you well.
6. Apply to multiple suitable scholarships, as acquiring these financial grants can be highly competitive, so don’t rely on just one application.
7. A common mistake that can lead to instant disqualification is an incomplete or inaccurate application.

Conclusion

After exploring the top Canadian scholarships for Indian students, we have come to the end of this blog. Scholarships are a blessing for international students that help them to study abroad in countries like Canada by reducing the burden of paying high tuition fees. Also, some grants cover living expenses, airfare and other spending. You will find many options of financial aid that provide the best grants that help students to pursue higher studies in this nation. Also, if you want any guidance, you can reach out to our study abroad consultants at Gradding.com. You can use our Scholarships Finder tool to choose the best financial aid. It provides options that match your preferences.

FAQ’s

1. Can Indian students get a Canada scholarship with a low GPA?

Yes, Indian students can get a Canada scholarship with a low GPA, but it is more difficult and requires a targeted approach. Success depends on finding the right low GPA required scholarship or the grants that focus on or value other qualifications like compelling essays, extracurricular achievements and volunteer work.

2. What are the most popular scholarships for Indian students to study in Canada?

The most popular scholarships in Canada for Indian students comprise government-funded grants such as the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan and the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships. University-based scholarships are easily accessible, such as the UBC International Scholars Program and the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto. There are many more scholarships you can consider that can help you study in Canada.

3. What documents are required for a Canada scholarship application?

For a Canadian scholarship, common documents are required, such as an academic transcript, proof of English or French proficiency (like IELTS or TOEFL scores), a letter of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a resume or CV and proof of financial needs.

4. What are the eligibility criteria for Canada scholarships?

The eligibility criteria for Canadian scholarships typically require an offer letter from a recognised Canadian institution, strong academic records, and language proficiency test scores in English or French. The other common criteria are residency or citizen status, financial needs, demonstrating leadership and extracurricular involvement.

5. Can I get a scholarship in Canada without IELTS?

Yes, you can get a scholarship without IELTS by using any alternative English language proficiency test like TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo. Also, you can prove your language proficiency through other ways, such as a degree from an English-medium institution. Many Canadian universities and scholarship programs accept these alternatives to the IELTS exam. But make sure to check the specific requirements set by the institution for each scholarship.