
Studying in Canada comes with a significant cost. Between tuition, living expenses, and travel, the overall cost can quickly exceed your expectations for a single year. That is precisely why scholarships for international students in Canada have become a lifeline, helping to manage or reduce the cost of a world-class education and making financial planning more manageable for students and their families.
There are many types of scholarships for international students in Canada. This diversity gives students from different backgrounds an equal chance to win an award. International scholarships are a key category, offering financial support specifically for students from outside Canada. Here we will classify Canadian scholarships by 2 ways:
Based on their funding sources, scholarships in Canada can be categorized into:
Besides, Canadian scholarships can be divided into as follow, based on certain criteria:

To qualify for scholarships in Canada, international students have to fulfill a few basic requirements. They may differ depending on the university or scholarship sponsor, but these are the general ones:
It is important to note that students must enroll in an eligible program or course to meet the eligibility requirements for most scholarships. Meeting the eligibility criteria—such as academic performance, admission status, and language proficiency—is essential for consideration.
Some scholarships may cover first year tuition, while others provide financial support until degree completion, depending on the eligibility criteria set by the sponsor.
When applying for a scholarship, one of the first requirements to consider is your GPA. The required GPA will vary by school, as well as their rankings and your programs. Yet, they usually require a strong academic record with a minimum GPA of 8.5/10 or above in your previous studies. You will have a better chance of applying for a scholarship to Canada if your GPA is high. International undergraduate students are often eligible for merit based awards, which are granted based on academic performance and achievements.
Besides, you need to demonstrate your English language proficiency with an accepted English test score, such as:
Meanwhile, you may also provide your proof of French proficiency if you attend a French-language course. The most common tests are TEF and TCF with a requirement of B2/CLB 7 achievement.
If your scholarship options are country-specific ones, you will need to submit proof that you are a citizen of an eligible developing country, not a Canadian citizen/PR, and studying in your home country first. Students applying from abroad must also provide proof of citizenship and residency as part of the application process. These rules are put in place to make sure the country-specific scholarships are distributed to the right people.
You must have an offer letter or confirmation of enrollment from a recognized Canadian university to apply for a scholarship. In some cases, you might be assessed automatically for a range of general entrance scholarships once you confirm your enrollment. Only students enrolled in eligible programs, such as undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, may qualify for certain scholarships, while those in certificate programs are typically not eligible.
Furthermore, some scholarships are offered specifically to students applying for specific degrees and topics, or for certain study levels (bachelor’s, master’s, etc.). Thus, showing proof of your course level is necessary.
You may be requested to supply documents demonstrating your need for financial help, especially when you are applying for need-based scholarships. These scholarships are designed to support students who face financial challenges or equity considerations, ensuring they have access to educational opportunities. Moreover, students with a medical ailment or handicap must provide a letter from their doctors or counsellors outlining how it affects their pursuit of higher education.
You will need to have a few documents ready to apply for scholarships in Canada. These assist universities or funding authorities in determining your eligibility for their scholarships. Below is a list of regularly requested documents:
Please take notice of any updates or changes to document requirements or deadlines, as scholarship providers may issue important notices that could affect your application.
It is now time to reveal our top 15 scholarships for international students in Canada. Many of these scholarships are highly competitive, so it is important for students to carefully review the requirements and consider whichever options best fit their profile and goals. These scholarships come in different types with various values. This section may help you to identify some potential options for further examination later on your own.

Description: This program acknowledges and supports the next generation of exceptional innovators, knowledge workers, creative thinkers, and researchers. It aims to bring benefits both within and outside of the research environment by supporting recipients in obtaining a high-quality research training experience. The scholarship provides financial support to international students through to degree completion, ensuring they can focus on their doctoral studies without interruption.
Value: CAD $40,000 per year (for 3 years)
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: This scholarship offers financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate students from ASEAN member countries for short-term research or course-related exchanges. It enables students to gain valuable experience studying abroad in Canada.
Value: CAD $10,200 for 4 months or 1 academic term
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: The CPRA program is a federal research talent investment program within the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS). Its mission is to help the next generation of innovators by providing funds and high-quality research training, developing research skills, encouraging innovation, and empowering grantees to make important contributions to Canada’s research ecosystem, economy, and prosperity. The award also offers comprehensive support to international postdoctoral researchers, including financial assistance and academic advising, to help them succeed during their studies in Canada.
Value: CAD $70,000 per year (for 2 years)
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: This program allows PhD students to join a dynamic and transformative group whose shared goal is to contribute to a brighter future for Canada and the world. Scholars are chosen not only for their academic achievements, but also for their commitment and ability to share and spread knowledge for the benefit of others. Scholarship recipients also benefit from a wide range of services and resources, including academic support, professional development, and guidance from a dedicated team of advisors.
Value: Up to CAD $50,000 stipend + CAD $20,000 research and travel allowance per year (for 3 years)
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: It is a one-of-a-kind international framework that allows Commonwealth countries to offer university scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other member countries. The purpose is to foster long-term relationships and provide valuable opportunities for cultural and academic exchange across borders.
Value: CAD $10,000 for 5-6 months
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) program fosters success in graduate studies at Ontario’s publicly funded universities. Since 1975, the OGS program has awarded merit-based scholarships to Ontario’s top graduate students in all fields of study.
Value: CAD $5,000 per session (for 1 year)
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: 20 scholarships are awarded each year to outstanding overseas students admitted to the first year of an undergraduate degree program, regardless of your major. An application isn’t required.
Value: CAD $10,000. The scholarship can be applied toward first year tuition costs.
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: This is offered annually to undergraduate overseas students commencing their first year of any undergraduate degree. The scholarship is renewable for additional years beyond the first year—specifically in the second, third, and fourth years at the University of Calgary—provided that recipients maintain a GPA of 2.60 or above over a minimum of 24.00 units in the prior fall and winter terms and continue to pay an international differential tuition fee as an international student.
Value: CAD $20,000
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: It will be given to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic accomplishment and are entering their first year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta. The scholarship provides financial support through to degree completion for eligible students. Renewal of this financial aid for the second, third, and fourth years is subject to achieving a minimum GPA of 2.0 on at least 18 credits from the most recent September to April period at the University of Alberta while studying under a Study Permit.
Value: CAD $120,000 (for over 4 years)
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: International Major Entrance Scholarships (IMES) are given to excellent international undergraduate students pursuing degrees at UBC. These scholarships are specifically for international undergraduate students entering UBC. You will receive your IMES when you begin your first year at UBC, and the scholarships can be renewed for up to three years. The number and value of these scholarships provided each year varies according to available funding.
Value: CAD $10,000 – $25,000/year
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: International students pursuing undergraduate programs at Queen’s University will be automatically considered for the Dean’s International Award program. The scholarship is renewable for three years if the student continues to be enrolled full-time in a program of study within their original faculty of admission. Only students enrolled full-time in their original faculty are eligible for renewal.
Value: CAD $10,000 – $25,000/year (for 4 years)
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: McGill University provides merit-based admission scholarships to first-time university students pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree. All applicants to certain McGill undergraduate degree programs are automatically considered, thus no additional application is required.
Value: CAD $3,000 (one-time payment)
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: The Dalhousie Research Excellence Scholarship was established in 2024 to attract and assist incoming Dalhousie PhD candidates who have extraordinary leadership and research potential. Award recipients are Dalhousie’s emerging leaders, and their research is projected to have a major regional, national, or international effect. In addition to financial assistance, the scholarship provides comprehensive support to PhD candidates, including academic advising and ongoing student services to help them succeed throughout their studies.
Value: CAD $35,000 per year (for up to 4 years)
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: Western University offers an unlimited number of Welcome to Canada Admission Scholarships as part of their commitment to meeting the different requirements of international students throughout their academic careers. This program is part of Western University’s broader commitment to providing international scholarships to students, supporting their academic journey and integration into campus life. The program provides you with a generous grant and guaranteed on-campus housing for your first two years.
Value: CAD $10,000 for first year
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: Starting April 14, 2025, overseas students living outside of Canada without a Humber DLI study visa may be eligible for the President’s overseas Entrance Award. The award is only given once per student for the three eligible start terms.
Value: CAD $2,000 (one-time payment)
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:

Description: The scholarship is given to international high school students who display academic distinction, dedication to voluntary and extracurricular activities, and leadership abilities. Their program represents students with the best academic standing from around the globe.
Value: CAD $45,000 per year (for 4 years)
Eligibility:
Selection criteria:
To prepare for the scholarship application, you must first understand the deadlines. Scholarship deadlines in Canada could vary per course and university. Yet, they typically fall between September and February for the following academic year. For example:
According to our experience, you should begin researching and preparing at least 12 months in advance, which means from the start of your junior year of high school. Ideally, you can begin as early as your freshman or sophomore year of high school. That would allow you more time and space to establish a strong application.
Take notice of all scholarship deadlines and any official updates or notices from universities to ensure you do not miss important information or changes.

Applying for scholarships in Canada typically involves researching available opportunities, preparing required documents, and submitting applications before the deadlines. Be sure to visit university websites and official scholarship pages to access detailed information about eligibility, application instructions, and deadlines. Each scholarship may have its own set of requirements, so carefully review all guidelines before applying.
There are thousands of scholarships in Canada for you to apply, which could make you feel overwhelmed. Thus, you need to sit down and thoroughly research based on your destination, course level or academic performance.
The best place to start looking for a scholarship is definitely the university websites. Most Canadian universities provide information on all available scholarships for international students, including how to apply. Make sure to visit the official university scholarship pages and government scholarship websites to access detailed information, application forms, and financial planning tools. Normally, students find scholarships from the university that they have applied to and received their offer.
However, if you haven’t picked your university yet and scholarships are what help you to do so, then you can look for information from online platforms like Scholarships Canada or the government sources like EduCanada.
After that, you can make a shortlist of all the potential options and get ready for the application process.
After shortlisting the options, you now need to review their requirements. Each scholarship will have its own eligibility criteria, which may include academic performance benchmarks, admission status, language requirements, and enrollment conditions. You will find some common requirements among those scholarships, with some having special criteria like country-specific rules. Note that you should only apply for scholarships which you are eligible for. Despite your excellent profile, your application won’t be reviewed if you fail to meet those specific criteria.
Once you have found the suitable scholarships, it is advisable to start preparing your applications right away. This is especially important for merit based awards, which often require strong evidence of academic achievement and extracurricular involvement. Gather all the basic materials like academic transcript, language proficiency test scores, etc.
In some cases, you are required to submit personal statements, essays and even your resume or portfolio. If this is your case, spend some time to learn and prepare those materials perfectly to help you win the selection committee’s approval.
Applying for scholarships can be an intense competition, especially for those with high value or great popularity. Therefore, your application should be unique and honest to stand out in the crowd.
Scholarship deadlines are frequently earlier than admission deadlines, so keep track of the dates to ensure that you submit your scholarship application by the deadline. You can apply directly in person or send your application by mail or online through the university portal.
However, some scholarships take separate applications, whereas some are automatically considered when you submit your admission form. Then, all you need to do now is tracking your application status.
Normally, it will take the selection committee 4 to 6 weeks after the application deadline to review your case and send you a response. So try to stay positive while waiting for their responses.
Be sure to take notice of any communications or notices regarding your application status, as important updates or requests for additional information may be sent during this period.
If you receive a positive response, confirm your acceptance of the offer. Yet, students usually apply for more than just one scholarship, so they may wait for responses from other sponsors and think for a while before responding to any offer. When you have multiple offers, carefully compare the benefits and requirements, and select whichever scholarship best meets your needs and goals.
The best scenario here is that you’ve got your favorite one. Then, you should report it to your college’s financial aid office to organize funding and complete any follow-up documentation.
Nevertheless, it is best to prepare for the worst situation where you fail to receive any scholarship. In such situations, you might need to find other scholarships or resort to other financial aid alternatives like student loans.
When applying for scholarships, we all want to succeed right at the first attempt. The whole process of preparation and application takes a lot of effort and time, so no one expects failure in the end.
Many scholarships for international students in Canada are highly competitive, so thorough preparation and attention to detail are essential.
To help you achieve that, here are some tips you can try to enhance your success probability.
The first step is really important but some don’t know where to start. To apply for a scholarship, you must first know where to find one and which option is suitable for you. The fact that there are hundreds of scholarships available gives you plenty of chances while overwhelming you.
Thus, you should start with yourself. Define where you want to study: Big cities or other less popular regions. By that, you can locate scholarships available to students in those areas. In our opinion, it is always best to choose universities first and then, find scholarships offered by your university. Be sure to visit university and scholarship websites to access the most up-to-date information, application pages, and financial planning tools.
Once you can lay the first, solid first brick on your journey quickly, you will have much time to prepare carefully or better yet, re-attempt in case of failure the first time.
This might be obvious! But you don’t want to apply for anything for which you are ineligible or risk losing your chances by mistakenly leaving out a piece of papers specified in the scholarship application requirements. For example, some scholarships are offered to post-graduate students only or students from certain countries.
Before applying, make sure to carefully review all eligibility requirements for each scholarship, as failing to meet these criteria can result in disqualification.
In fact, some don’t require any separate application while others do. So, read the application instructions carefully to avoid missing anything. You can also contact the provider if you require clarification on any points.
With so much competition for a full scholarship, it is critical to separate out from the crowd by displaying a genuine dedication to personal development. This includes having a few extracurricular activities to showcase your talents and interests outside of the classroom, as well as examples of times you’ve been engaged with the local community, such as volunteering for a worthy cause.
Many scholarships are awarded based on a combination of academic merit and extracurricular achievements, so demonstrating both strong grades and active involvement can significantly improve your chances.
Importantly, scholarship providers place a high importance on leadership skills, which you can demonstrate by volunteering to lead projects in extracurricular activities or community service.
In case no separate application is required, you must highlight your profile with a glowing report on your academic qualities, including certificates, honors or projects since academic merit is the only selection criteria.
You might be required to submit an application essay and recommendation letter. These documents will help selection committees to understand your goals and impact on other people.
For a personal essay, you need to make sure it is clear, concise and formatted correctly without any spelling and grammar errors. Try to grab the reader with a strong introduction and emphasize its key theme or topic with details.
Meanwhile, it is better to submit more than just one letter of recommendation. Therefore, it is critical to establish good relationships with your academic mentors and employers (if any). If a mentor knows you well, they will be able to write a letter that is more personal and genuine about you.
Take notice of all required supporting documents and submission guidelines to ensure your application is complete and meets all scholarship requirements.
Finding scholarships for international students in Canada is a real competition. Yet, do not let this discourage you from applying, but be realistic about your expectations. Moreover, if you get prepared in advance, there is nothing to be afraid of.
So, thoroughly go through our blog to equip yourself with sufficient information and tips to win scholarships more easily. Good luck!
1. How much money is available through Canada scholarships?
International students in Canada earn an average of CAD $10,000 to $25,000 in scholarships every year, depending on the type of award and academic profile.
2. Is it possible to apply for multiple scholarships in Canada at the same time?
Yes, you can apply for many scholarships simultaneously. However, certain scholarships may limit the number of awards that can be held concurrently.
3. Can I work while studying in Canada on a scholarship?
Yes, international students in Canada are typically permitted to work part-time during their studies and full-time during scheduled breaks. However, the particular conditions may differ based on the scholarship and visa requirements.
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