Over the last decade, Canada has emerged as one of the most sought-after study abroad destinations worldwide. Why? It provides high-quality education and endless opportunities that might be hard to get elsewhere. But all this comes with a high price. In Canada, the average tuition fee is around $13,000 to $20,000 annually, and living costs can range from $1,900 to $2,200 per month. Luckily, there are several scholarships for international students in Canada that can help in lowering this cost significantly. Want to know about them? Below you will discover a list of partial and fully funded scholarships in Canada that can give you a strong start.
Table of Contents
1. Can I Apply for Scholarships Before Being Accepted into A Canadian University?
2. Are There Fully-Funded Scholarships Available for International Students in Canada?
3. Do I Need a Study Permit to Apply for Scholarships in Canada?
4. What Expenses Do Canadian Scholarships Typically Cover?
5. Are There Scholarships That Cover Living Expenses as Well as Tuition Fees?
As an international student, you can choose from different types of scholarships in Canada to fund your education. These scholarship opportunities in Canada are available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and are generally categorised based on who is providing them. These include:
There are several excellent scholarships to study in Canada for international students, which can cover partial or complete tuition fees (sometimes even cover living and travel expenses). The Top ones include:
Here is a list of all the government-funded scholarships for international students in Canada that provide substantial financial support. However, do note that most government scholarships are highly competitive and are mostly available for graduate-level studies.
| Scholarship Name | Details | Amount |
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) | Given to highly accomplished international students with excellent academic background, research potential and leadership skills | CAD 50,000 per year for three years |
| Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships | For postdoctoral researchers in natural sciences, health, social sciences, and engineering | CAD 70,000 per year for two years |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) | Provided to high-achieving master’s and PhD students | CAD 15,000 per year |
| Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) | Available for students from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who want to study for a short term in Canada at the graduate and undergraduate levels | CAD 15,900. |
| The Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program | Given to academically high-achieving students from Commonwealth countries who want to study at the postgraduate level | CAD 10,000 |
| IDRC Research Awards | For master's and doctoral students who come from developing countries and want to undertake research in global development issues | CAD 20,000 |
Obtaining a private / NGO scholarship in Canada can provide you with additional benefits that extend beyond monetary assistance. You can access a variety of mentorship opportunities, join academic and professional networks, and receive invitations to special events that can support your career growth. Some popular private scholarships to study in Canada include:
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Amount |
| Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships | For outstanding post-graduate students from developing countries who have no other means for funding their education in Canada | Fully funded scholarship (Tuition + living expenses) |
| Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships | Available for international students who are pursuing doctoral programs in social sciences and humanities | CAD 40,000 annually for three years. |
| Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Scholarships | A number of scholarships are available for Indian students for short-term projects and research collaborations between Indian and Canadian institutes. | Up to CAD 10,000+ |
| Mitacs Globalink Research Internship | Not a fully private scholarship, but it offers fully funded 12-week research internships to top-tier undergraduate students from specific countries | Fully funded |
Many Canadian universities recognise the academic achievements of outstanding students from around the world by offering a substantial number of partial and fully funded scholarships in Canada. However, while these are generous, they have high competition, and most require a GPA of 80% or above.
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Amount |
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto) | A prestigious award for outstanding international students with exceptional academic background and leadership potential | Fully funded scholarship (Tuition, books, incidental fees, and living costs for four years) |
| International Leader of Tomorrow Award (University of British Columbia) | Need and merit-based scholarship for high-achieving students with leadership skills | CAD 45,000 per year (varies by program), including tuition & living. |
| University of Waterloo International Student Entrance Scholarship | Merit-based scholarship for international students entering Year 1 undergrad. (No separate application process, students are automatically considered after admission.) | CAD 10,000 each for 20 awards annually. |
| York University International Student Program Scholarship | A one-year award (renewable over a set period) given to high-achieving international students based on their academic merit. | Valued at CAD 40,000 over four years. |
| Carleton Prestige Scholarships (Chancellor's Scholarships, Richard Lewar Entrance Scholarships, Riordon Scholarship and Collins Prestige Scholarship) | A number of prestigious scholarships for high-achieving incoming students with leadership skills | Varies for each scholarship, but are generally around CAD 20,000 - 30,000 for over 4 years. |
| University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship | Merit-based and renewable scholarship for international undergraduates entering first year | CAD 20,000 (renewable) for 2 awards annually. |
| McCall MacBain Scholarships | Leadership-based scholarship for full-time students pursuing master's or second-entry professional undergraduate degree | Fully funded (tuition & fees plus living stipend)(CAD 2,300/month) |
The process for applying to scholarships for international students in Canada varies based on the specific program or scholarship. While some require a separate application, there are a few, like the International Student Entrance Scholarship at the University of Waterloo, which automatically considers students after admission. However, the general process includes:
Note: You will need to have an offer of admission from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to apply to a non-university-specific scholarship.
The eligibility criteria for getting scholarships for international students in Canada vary depending on the scholarship itself and the institution. However, there are a few common requirements that almost all Canadian scholarships share, regardless of whether they are for national or international students. These include:
When applying for a scholarship in Canada, you will have to provide a list of documents that can help the authorities to verify your identity, your academic history, and whether you are suitable for the scholarship or not. Core documents that you will need to submit include:
Summing up, getting scholarships for international students in Canada not only eases the financial burden of studying in an expensive place like Canada, but can also open doors to world-class education and global research opportunities. However, it is really important that you not only stay stuck to one, but also apply for multiple scholarships, including smaller and more specialised ones, to increase your chances.
Connect with expert consultants at Gradding if you need additional help with applying for a scholarship to study in Canada or simplifying your study abroad journey.
Before getting accepted into a Canadian university, you can only apply for external scholarships that are provided by a private organisation or the Canadian government. To apply for university-specific scholarships, you will have to get an admission or an offer letter first.
International students can get a number of private and university-specific fully-funded scholarships in Canada. Some popular scholarships include Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, and Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarships.
A study permit is a general requirement for applying for scholarships in Canada. If you’re an international student planning to study in Canada for over six months, then you need a study permit before starting. You might also need to show funds for living costs, but your scholarship can count toward this amount.
Depending on the type of scholarship, it can cover partial tuition fees or fully fund your education in Canada, and include tuition, books, health insurance, living expenses, and sometimes travel or research costs.
There are popular Canadian scholarships like the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto), the McCall MacBain Scholarship (McGill University), and the TD Scholarship for Community Leadership, which provide scholarships that can cover both living expenses and tuition fees.
We are available in :
BangaloreAhmedabadJaipurHyderabadKeralaPuneChandigarhMumbaiGurgaonChennaiKolkataTrivandrumNoidaKochiCalicutKottayamKollamThrissurIndoreUdaipurdisclaimer:logos and other registered trademarks of universities used on this platform are held by their respective owners. Gradding does not claim ownership or association on them, and their use is purely for informational and illustrative purposes.
