Studying anywhere abroad (including in Canada) requires adequate financial planning. Therefore it can be useful to find out if there are scholarships or other forms of financial support available to make the study in Canada journey easier.

Canada is multicultural and bilingual and, as such, is very attractive for international students intending to pursue an undergraduate, masters, or Ph.D. program. Over the past few years, the number of international students studying in Canada has increased. Still, most people are faced with the challenge of financing or funding their education without extra support.

Luckily, the Canadian government has placed policies that encourage international students to study in Canada. The possibility of getting scholarships to study in Canada, is one of these policies that encourage international students to consider Canada as a top choice. Awards and scholarship programs and funding are mainly for students with high academic standing or qualified students in most cases.

The next question you may ask is, where can I go to find awards and scholarships that are available for studying in Canada? The following information will provide guidance on how to find information and search for funding to help with your studies in Canada.

Scholarships & Awards Available through the Canadian Government Funding Sources

The government of Canada has an online resource that contains information about funding and scholarship opportunities for non-Canadians to study in Canada. The availability and eligibility for a scholarship depend on the prospective student’s country of origin.

You can search for scholarships and awards by following these simple steps:

1. Go to this Canadian government’s international scholarship page
2. Select your country of origin.
3. Review the list of scholarships which you are eligible to apply.

Scholarships & Funding through Canadian Provinces and Territories

Since different Canadian provinces and territories have their own scholarship and award programs for international students, it’s advisable for prospective students to keep visiting the Ministry of Education website that belongs to the province they want to study for updates.

Some provincial governments may also have in place a reduced tuition rate for students studying in a specific language or in a particular field.

• Provincial and territorial awards for non-Canadians.
• Find out the Ministry responsible for Education in the Canadian province or territory you intend to study.

Two long-standing provincial scholarship and funding that is offered by the provinces of British Columbia (BC) and Ontario (ON) for international students are noted below:

Scholarship in British Columbia (BC)

Scholarships and Special Programs (LearnLiveBC): If you intend to study in the province of British Columbia (BC), you may qualify for international student funding or special programs that have been developed by the government of BC:

• Post-secondary scholarships. e.g. Canadian Bureau for International Education (scholarship and bursary programs for international students), The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program (awards eligible international doctoral students with $50,000 per year for up to three years).
  • Special post-secondary programs e.g. Mitacs. More details

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  Scholarship in Ontario (ON)

  Ontario Trillium Scholarships (OTS) Program: The Government of Ontario funds Trillium Awards for international Ph.D. students to study at a university in Ontario. This program is described on the individual Ontario university websites.

  In general, OTS is granted to new international Ph.D. recipients for a maximum of four years. Each OTS is valued at $40,000 yearly and is automatically renewable for three additional years, as long as the beneficiary maintains good academic standing and continues to meet OTS eligibility requirements.

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  Scholarships & Funding Available through the Particular Canadian Educational Institution

  Most educational institutions in Canada, post-secondary and secondary schools as well, will have some type of funding support (e.g. scholarships, bursaries, and other financial awards) that is accessible by international students.

  Some Canadian educational institutions may also have in place a reduced tuition rate for students studying in a particular language or in a particular field.

  To get more information about these scholarships/awards, once the student has decided on an educational institution and program of study, the student can either contact the international education office at the institution where they are seeking to study or search the school’s website for more information about scholarships to study in Canada or funding opportunities.

  Generally, international students are considered for entrance awards and scholarships at the time of admission. Eligibility for scholarships, bursaries, and other financial awards is based on the student’s submitted academic results (transcripts) and other application supporting documents. Students of high academic standing usually have a higher chance of securing an entrance award or scholarship.

  An international student hoping to get an entrance award or scholarship at a Canadian educational institution should submit their admission application early to their educational institution of choice. This will ensure that the student is considered for entrance scholarships and awards, as late applicants may not be considered.

  Most Canadian universities mainly consider ‘Fall’ (September) applicants for entrance awards/scholarships. Therefore, the best intake to apply for studying in Canada will be the September start date to increase the chances of getting a partial scholarship.

• Scholarships and Awards at the University of Alberta: UAlberta North, Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES), UofA School of Business.
• Scholarships and Awards at the University of Winnipeg.
• Scholarships and Awards at McGill University: McCall MacBain Scholarships (full-time masters or professional program).
• Scholarships and Awards at MacEwan University: Provost’s Entrance Scholarship (international students).
• Scholarships and Awards at the University of Manitoba: International student awards.
• Scholarships and Awards a the University of Ottawa.
• Scholarships and Awards at the University of Toronto.
• Scholarships and Awards at the University of Calgary: International Entrance Scholarship.

• Scholarships and Awards at the University of Waterloo: Hira and Kamal Ahuja International Graduate Scholarship.
• Scholarships and Awards at the University of British Columbia (UBC): Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarships.
• Scholarships and Awards at University Canada West (UCW).
• Scholarships and Awards at other universities in Canada.
• Scholarships and Awards at Canadian colleges.

Home Country Scholarship

Home country scholarships can be very substantial. This is another way for an international student to find out about alternative funding or scholarship for foreign studies.

1. Scholarships Offered by the Student’s Home Country Government

As the name implies, these are scholarship programs that are funded by the government of the student’s home country for studies to be undertaken at recognized educational institutions abroad (including in Canada). For example:

•  A student from China, who wants to pursue an undergraduate social science program in Canada may be funded by the Chinese government through home country scholarships.
• Some Nigerian states (such as Rivers, Delta, etc.) provides scholarship opportunities to indigenes of their respective states to study abroad. Valid information about these opportunities can usually be gotten from the State’s Ministry of Education.

2. Scholarships Offered by Organizations/Companies in the Student’s Home Country

From time to time (usually on an annual basis) reputable organizations and companies will usually come up with Overseas Scholarship Scheme for citizens of specific countries to study abroad (including in Canada).

3. Check with the Canadian Diplomatic Mission in your Home Country.

International students who are looking for scholarships to study in Canada should inquire at the Canadian diplomatic mission in their home country about scholarships and other financial assistance.

Scholarships for International Student’s at the Graduate Level (Master’s, Ph.D., Post-Doctoral)

An international student who has an outstanding educational performance, may be able to secure funding/financial assistance for further studies at the Canadian graduate level (e.g., master’s, Ph.D., post-doctoral).

The assistance the student may get could come in different forms, such as:

• Bursaries (this is awarded based on financial need and is intended to supplement the student’s already existing source of funding);
• Teaching assistance (TA);
• Scholarships provided by external bodies or third parties;
• University graduate scholarships;
• Funds for research.

The value of each form of assistance differs and is dependent on the institution or academic department involved.

To get information about suitable funding opportunities, the student should check the website of the educational institution under consideration or should contact the school directly. Below are a few:

The University of Alberta (UofA):

The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) at the University of Alberta, has compiled a Graduate Student Funding information document that provides information on sources of funding and other strategies for graduate students in light of COVID-19.
Visit COVID-19 and graduate student funding to learn more.

Below are some of the popular Government of Canada and External Scholarship Opportunities available to top international students applying for graduate programs in Canada:

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS)

• The Vanier CGS program helps Canadian institutions attract highly qualified doctoral students.
• Valued at $50,000 per year for three years (non-renewable) during doctoral studies.
• Considers three equally weighted selection criteria: Academic Excellence, Research Potential, and Leadership.
• Open to: Canadian citizens, Permanent residents of Canada, and international students.
• Student must be nominated by the Canadian institution at which they want to study.
• Areas of research: Health research, Natural sciences and/or engineering research, and Social sciences and humanities research.
• More info => here.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

• The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program provides funding to the very best postdoctoral applicants, who will positively contribute to Canada’s economic, social, and research-based growth.
• Valued at $70,000 per year (taxable) for two years (non-renewable) during doctoral studies.
• Open to: Canadian citizens, Permanent residents of Canada, and international students.

• Areas of research: Health research, Natural sciences and/or engineering, and Social sciences and/or humanities.
• More info => here.

Trudeau Foundation Scholarship

• The Trudeau Foundation Scholarship is a three-year program designed to train Engaged Leaders, equipping outstanding doctoral candidates with the tools to share and apply their research and be creative leaders in their institutions and communities.
• Up to $40,000 per year for three years to cover tuition and reasonable living expenses; and
• Up to $20,000 per year for three years, as a research and travel allowance. More info => here.

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  The Jeanne Sauvé Public Leadership Program (Fellowship)

  • The Jeanne Sauvé Public Leadership Program is an in-house, intercultural and international program based at Sauvé House in Montreal.
  • Open to both Canadian and international applicants between 25 and 30 years of age.
  • More info => here.