Top Scholarships for International Students in Canada (2026)

Funding Your Canadian Education: A Complete Scholarship Guide

Studying in Canada as an international student is an investment—but with the right scholarships, it's one that doesn't have to break the bank. This guide covers the best scholarships available to international students, from fully-funded national awards to university-specific opportunities worth thousands of dollars.

Understanding Scholarship Types

Entrance Scholarships: Awarded when you're admitted, usually based on high school grades. Often automatic (no separate application).

Renewable Scholarships: Continue throughout your degree if you maintain required grades.

One-Time Awards: Single payments for specific purposes or achievements.

Need-Based Bursaries: Financial assistance based on demonstrated need.

Merit-Based Awards: Given for academic excellence, leadership, or specific talents.

Major National Scholarships

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Value: $50,000 per year for 3 years

Level: Doctoral students only

The Vanier is Canada's most prestigious graduate scholarship, comparable to the UK's Gates Cambridge or Rhodes.

Eligibility:

• •Pursuing first doctoral degree
• •High academic achievement
• •Leadership and research potential
• •Nominated by a Canadian university

Selection Criteria:

• •Academic excellence (first class average)
• •Research potential
• •Leadership experience

Application: Through your university's graduate school (nominations limited per institution)

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

Value: $70,000 per year for 2 years

Level: Postdoctoral researchers

Canada's premier postdoctoral award, open to international applicants.

Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master's

Value: $17,500 for one year

Level: Master's students

Available to international students at participating Canadian institutions.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarships

Value: Up to $40,000 per year for 3 years + $20,000 travel allowance

Level: Doctoral students

For students pursuing research on governance, human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, and Canada's role in the world.

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships (U of T)

Value: Full tuition + books + housing + incidentals for 4 years

Level: Undergraduate

The University of Toronto's most prestigious undergraduate award for exceptional international students.

Eligibility:

• •Outstanding academic and creative achievement
• •Leadership and community impact
• •Must be nominated by your high school

How to Apply:

• •Your school must nominate you (deadline typically in late November)
• •Complete supplementary application
• •Only approximately 37 students awarded annually

Pro Tip: This is nomination-based—talk to your school counselor early about being nominated.

Top University-Specific Scholarships

University of British Columbia

International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES)

• •Value: $22,500-40,000 per year (renewable)
• •Based on academic achievement
• •No separate application—considered automatically

Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award

• •Value: Varies ($5,000-20,000)
• •Merit-based
• •Automatic consideration

Donald A. Chicken Leadership Award

• •Value: $20,000 renewable
• •For students demonstrating exceptional leadership
• •Requires separate application

McGill University

McGill Entrance Scholarships

• •Value: $3,000-12,000 (one-time)
• •Automatic consideration for international applicants
• •Based on academic achievement

McGill Major Scholarships

• •Value: Up to full tuition
• •Competitive application
• •Demonstrated excellence and leadership

Note: McGill has lower base tuition than most English Canadian universities, so smaller scholarships go further.

University of Toronto

Beyond Lester B. Pearson:

International Scholar Award

• •Value: $10,000-25,000
• •Automatic consideration

President's Scholars of Excellence

• •Value: Up to $50,000
• •For students with top academic standing

UTM/UTSC Admission Scholarships

• •Value: $2,500-10,000
• •Satellite campuses often have more funding available

University of Waterloo

International Master's Award of Excellence

• •Value: $2,500 per term
• •For master's students maintaining 80%+ average

International Doctoral Student Award

• •Value: $5,000-15,000 annually
• •For doctoral researchers

Engineering: President's Scholarships

• •Value: $10,000
• •For top incoming engineering students

University of Alberta

International Student Scholarship

• •Value: $9,000 (renewable up to $36,000 over 4 years)
• •Automatic consideration for students with 90%+ average

Academic Excellence Scholarship

• •Value: Up to $5,000
• •For undergraduate applicants

University of Calgary

International Entrance Scholarship

• •Value: $15,000 renewable
• •For high-achieving international students

President's Admission Scholarship

• •Value: $5,000
• •Automatic consideration

Queen's University

Principal's Scholarship

• •Value: Up to $36,000 over 4 years
• •For students with 95%+ average

Chancellor's Scholarship

• •Value: Full tuition for 4 years
• •Extremely competitive—requires nomination and interview

Western University

International President's Entrance Scholarship

• •Value: $10,000-30,000
• •For incoming undergraduate international students

Continuing International Student Scholarship

• •Value: Varies
• •For students maintaining high academic standing

External Scholarships (Not University-Specific)

Scholarship Canada Database

Free database of thousands of Canadian scholarships: scholarshipscanada.com

Schulich Leader Scholarships

Value: $100,000 (Engineering) or $80,000 (Science)

Eligibility: High school students entering STEM programs at participating universities

One of Canada's most prestigious STEM scholarships. You must be nominated by your high school.

Terry Fox Humanitarian Award

Value: $7,000-28,000 annually

Eligibility: Canadian residents and international students

For students who demonstrate humanitarian contribution while maintaining high academic standing.

MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

Value: Full funding (tuition, books, housing, stipend)

Eligibility: Students from Sub-Saharan Africa

Partnered with several Canadian universities including UBC, McGill, and University of Toronto.

DAAD Scholarships

For German citizens studying abroad, including in Canada.

Commonwealth Scholarships

For students from Commonwealth countries—some specifically for study in Canada.

Country-Specific Funding

From Your Home Country

Many countries offer scholarships for citizens studying abroad:

• •**Saudi Arabia:** Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission scholarships
• •**Brazil:** Science Without Borders (when active)
• •**China:** CSC (China Scholarship Council) partnerships with Canadian universities
• •**India:** Various ministry scholarships
• •**Nigeria:** Federal and state government scholarships

Action: Check with your country's ministry of education or foreign affairs.

Bilateral Agreements

Canada has educational exchange agreements with many countries that include scholarship provisions.

Finding Hidden Scholarships

Graduate Funding Packages

For master's and PhD students, many Canadian universities guarantee funding packages:

Typical PhD Package:

• •Teaching assistantship: $10,000-20,000/year
• •Research assistantship: $10,000-20,000/year
• •Scholarship/fellowship: $5,000-20,000/year
• •Total: $25,000-60,000/year

Competitive Programs: Computer science, engineering, and natural sciences often have the most generous funding.

Departmental Scholarships

Individual departments often have scholarships not widely advertised. Contact:

• •Graduate program coordinators
• •Department chairs
• •Faculty members in your research area

Faculty-Specific Awards

Business schools, engineering faculties, and other units often have their own scholarship pools separate from central university funding.

Community and Professional Organization Scholarships

• •Engineering professional associations
• •Industry-specific foundations
• •Community organizations (Rotary, Lions Club)
• •Corporate scholarships (Google, Microsoft, etc.)

Application Strategies

Timing Your Applications

September-November: Research scholarships, note deadlines, gather documents

December-February: Most entrance scholarship applications due

March-May: External scholarship deadlines

Ongoing: Graduate funding, departmental awards

Writing Winning Applications

Personal Statement Tips:

• •Tell a compelling story—don't just list achievements
• •Connect your past to your future goals
• •Be specific about why this university/program
• •Have multiple people proofread

Leadership Examples:

• •Quality over quantity—depth matters
• •Impact, not just participation
• •Quantify when possible ("led team of 15," "raised $5,000")

Reference Letters:

• •Ask early (6+ weeks before deadline)
• •Provide context and your goals
• •Remind references close to deadline

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• •**Missing deadlines:** Set calendar reminders weeks in advance
• •**Generic essays:** Tailor every application
• •**Ignoring small scholarships:** Many $500-2,000 awards go unclaimed
• •**Not negotiating:** Graduate funding is often negotiable
• •**Applying to few scholarships:** Apply broadly—it's a numbers game

Financing Beyond Scholarships

Work Opportunities

• •On-campus jobs: No work permit needed
• •Co-op/internship: Earn $40,000-60,000 during degree
• •Off-campus work: Up to 24 hours/week with study permit

Loans and Lines of Credit

Some Canadian banks offer student lines of credit to international students:

• •Usually requires a Canadian co-signer
• •Interest rates around prime + 2-4%
• •Payment typically begins after graduation

Family Contribution

Many students combine scholarships with family support. GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) requirements mean you'll need access to significant funds regardless.

Calculating Your Net Cost

Example: UBC Student

Funding:

• •IMES Scholarship: $25,000
• •Part-time work: $8,000
• •Co-op earnings (averaged): $10,000
• •**Total Funding: $43,000**

Net Cost: $19,000/year

This is a realistic scenario for a strong student at UBC.

Conclusion

Funding a Canadian education as an international student requires creativity and persistence. The key strategies:

• •**Start early:** Many scholarships require nominations or early applications
• •**Apply broadly:** The more applications, the better your odds
• •**Look beyond entrance scholarships:** Departmental, external, and graduate funding add up
• •**Consider the full picture:** Work opportunities, co-op income, and lower-cost universities matter
• •**Don't give up:** Many scholarships have low application numbers

Canada wants talented international students, and significant funding exists for those who seek it out. Your Canadian education may be more affordable than you think—if you put in the work to find the funding.