With over 730,000 foreign students enrolled in a wide variety of programmes, Canada is currently one of the top places to study abroad. Despite its popularity, studying in Canada is not an inexpensive option. There are several scholarships available in Canada for international students for those who want to study there but don’t have the financial means to do so. In order to pay for numerous ancillary fees, you can choose to work while you are a student in Canada. International students can apply for scholarships in Canada through colleges, the federal government of Canada, the government of their home country, and a number of non-governmental funding agencies. Popular scholarships for studying in Canada pay the whole tuition for international students as well as their living expenses, travel costs, and research support.
Canadian Scholarships for Foreign Students, Per Source
International students seeking higher education in Canada have the option of submitting applications for several types of funding provided by the government, universities, or non-governmental organisations. The following details are offered for foreign students looking for scholarships in Canada-
- Canadian Government Scholarships: The government of Canada offers these prizes to entice students to pursue their education there.
- Non-Governmental Scholarships: These awards are made to students enrolled in a particular academic stream by a variety of trusts, foundations, and organisations in order to promote involvement and advancement in the subject area.
- Institutional Scholarships: These are awards made by Canadian universities to students who are enrolled there.
Top Government Scholarships in Canada for International Students
- Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
Students who contribute to Canada’s economic, social, and research-based growth through a research-intensive career are given Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships in an effort to maintain top postdoctoral talent on a national and international level. Each year, a total of 70 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are granted. Each year, 70,000 CAD in taxable fellowship stipends are given out. The scholarships are split evenly among Canada’s three research councils: the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (SSHRC) Applicants must work in the fields of social sciences, humanities, or engineering, as well as health research. There can only be 140 active fellowships in any given year because the Banting Postgraduate Fellowships are given out for a 2-year period, unless an awardee chooses to withdraw. The host institution, which is a Canadian university or college where the awardees will hold their fellowships, must be selected by the applicants in order to be considered for the fellowship under the programme. They must also obtain the endorsement of the relevant authority at the chosen institution before submitting their application.
Applicants must verify that both they and the host institution meet the requirements before applying for the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships. The following list includes the fellowship’s eligibility requirements-
- Citizenship: Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or student from another country
- Eligibility for degree completion: Possession of a Ph.D., a degree comparable to a Ph.D., or a degree in a health-related field.
- Before the start of their award, the degree must be completed between September 15, 2018, and September 30, 2022.
- Host Institution Eligibility:
- Canadian universities
- University abroad
- amAffiliated research hospitals, educational institutions, and nonprofits.
- If a candidate has received a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship in the past, they will be deemed ineligible.
- IDRC Research Awards
The IDRC Research Awards are given to Canadians, residents of Canada who are permanent residents, and citizens of developing nations who are enrolled in or have finished a master’s or doctoral programme at an accredited university (within the last three years). Recipients of research awards will join IDRC for a one-year paid programme to conduct research on the subject they have proposed. They will gain practical experience in managing and supporting research and programme initiatives, handling grant applications, and producing, disseminating, and applying information from a global perspective. Awardees are regarded as full-time, non-union employees of IDRC for payroll purposes. The Canada Pension Plan, employer health tax, employer contributions to employment insurance, and paid vacation leave are among the benefits. A portion of the costs for travel and study are additionally funded, with a cap of $15,000 CA.
To qualify for the IDRC Research Awards, one must fulfil the requirements listed below-
- Except for the Global Health Award, which will be based in Nairobi, all awards will have Ottawa as their base of operations.
- For the Ottawa-based awards, you must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a student from a low- or middle-income country who is enrolled in a university in Canada and has a work permit that allows you to work full-time (37.5 hours per week) in Canada until 30 April 2024.
- Candidates for the Global Health Award, which is based in Nairobi, must be Kenyan citizens.
- Students who have either started or finished a master’s programme at an accredited university during the previous three years.
- Vanier Graduate Scholarship
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) programme supports students pursuing graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health-related fields who exhibit both leadership qualities and a high standard of scholarly achievement in order to draw in and keep top-tier doctoral students. For a maximum of three years, the Vanier CGS is valued at $50,000 annually.
To qualify for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, one must fulfil the requirements listed below-
- Citizenship: Canadian citizens; Canadian permanent residents; and foreign students (present in Canada on the student visa).
- Nomination: Only ONE Vanier CGS-approved Canadian university, such as the University of Toronto or the University of Calgary, may make a nomination.
- An upper limit on the number of applications that may be submitted for the scholarship programme.
- Research Focus: engineering research or work in the natural sciences, health studies, research in the humanities and social sciences
- Study Level: Pursuing a first doctoral degree in Canada, as well as collaborative UG/PG research programmes like an MD/Ph.D., DVM/Ph.D., or J.D./Ph.D.
- Enrollment: Plan to enrol in a course during the summer semester or the academic year that follows the findings in order to pursue full-time PhD studies and research.
- As of May 1, 2021, the study’s duration CANNOT have lasted longer than 20 months.
- Academic Standing: The last two years of full-time study, or its equivalent, must have yielded a first-class average.
- Other requirements include not having previously held a doctoral-level fellowship or scholarship from NSERC, CIHR, or SSHRC.
Top Non-Governmental Scholarships in Canada for International Students
- Anne Vallee Ecological Fund
Students participating in animal research at a university in Québec or British Columbia at the master’s or doctoral level are eligible for two $1,500 scholarships from the Anne Vallée Ecological Fund (AVEF). The AVEF is committed to supporting field studies in animal ecology concerning the impacts of human endeavours like forestry, industry, agriculture, and fishing.
To qualify for the Anne Vallee Ecological Fund, one must fulfil the requirements listed below-
- The application process is open to students pursuing doctoral degrees in animal science at institutions in Quebec or British Columbia.
- Canada Memorial Scholarship
For Indian students studying at Canadian universities, it is one of the fully supported scholarships available. It may be necessary for applicants to longer-term programmes to certify that they have additional financing sources that will allow them to finish the programme. To qualify for the Canada Memorial Scholarship, students must be looking to study postgraduate in Canada. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition, travel, and accommodation.
Top Institutional Scholarships in Canada for International Students
- University of Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program
International students from all over the world and those who are enrolled in secondary schools in Canada are both eligible for a yearly scholarship from the University of Toronto. The University of Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program honours international students who achieve in the classroom, in the arts, and as leaders in their communities. There are 37 undergraduate students who have been named Lester B. Pearson Scholars by the University of Toronto. The Lester B. Pearson Scholarship covers all living expenses for four years, including books, incidentals, and tuition.
To qualify for the Pearson International Scholarship, one must fulfil the requirements listed below-
- A non-Canadian who needs a study permit, such as an international student.
- By June, you must be either a senior in high school or a graduate.
- You must start your studies at the University of Toronto in September of the following year. Students who are currently enrolled in post-secondary education are ineligible, as are those who will begin their studies at another post-secondary institution in January of the following year.
- York University International Student Scholarship
The Global Leader of Tomorrow Scholarships and the International Entrance Scholarships of Distinction are open to international candidates who wish to enrol in a full-time undergraduate programme at York University. International students have a better chance of winning two York University Global Leader of Tomorrow Awards and two International Entrance Scholarships of Distinction. For three years of undergraduate study at a full time, these scholarships are renewable. For example, the Global Leader of Tomorrow Award provides a total of $80,000 and the International Entrance Scholarship of Distinction awards $140,000 (for four years) to international students who demonstrate great academic achievement each academic year (for four years). Prospective undergraduate students must have the following qualifications-
- Liberal Arts and Professional Studies
- Arts, Media, Performance & Design
- Engineering
- Education
- Health
- Science
- Business
The following requirements must be fulfilled in order to be considered for the top international scholarship-
- Having a Canadian study permit, an international student.
- Applied to one of York University’s undergraduate degree programmes.
- Being a York approved student who applied straight out of high school, no later than two years after graduation, and who had no previous university or college courses
- Possess a solid academic record with a grade point average of “A” or similar.
- Have demonstrated leadership via their involvement in the community, their accomplishments in the arts, sports, or other fields.
- Normally, just one kid may be nominated after being chosen by the local high school.
- A recommendation letter should be loaded.
- A “Received” stamp must appear on all pertinent documents submitted with the York application.
- In accordance with the university’s deadlines, the online International Student Scholarship Application must be finished.
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship
For ambitious foreign students who wish to enrol in Master’s or Doctoral degree programmes at the University of Toronto, the Province of Ontario and the University of Toronto annually offer Ontario Graduate Scholarships. With merit-based scholarships, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship has been providing financial aid to international students from all over the world as well as Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons. $5,000 is the session cost of the OGS. It follows that awardees may get $10,000 or $15,000 for two consecutive sessions or three consecutive sessions. In every case, a third of the total award that the students receive will be donated by the graduating unit that gave out the award. The OGS standards also prohibit students from holding both an OGS and another government-funded award at the same time and set a lifetime cap of six years for students to receive awards from the government.
One must fulfil the requirements listed below in order to be eligible for an Ontario Graduate Scholarship-
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected individuals as defined by section 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act are required for temporary resident visa holders who wish to enrol in courses at the University of Toronto (Canada).
- Must have an overall average of at least A- (or equivalent) on all graduate courses taken, or have earned an A- (or equivalent) in each of the last two years of full-time study, or, if you have already finished two years of graduate work, an A- (or equivalent) in each of the last two years of full-time study.
- Maintain enrollment as a full-time student at the University of Toronto in an eligible graduate programme at the graduate unit where the OGS was awarded.
- Do not have a full-time employment or an OGS grant during the same academic session or award year as a scholarship from one of the aforementioned organisations.
- Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award at University of British Columbia
International students who succeed in their studies, leadership qualities, involvement in student affairs, and community service are given the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award by the University of British Columbia. At the undergraduate level, this scholarship is available to international students. The value of the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award is determined by your financial need. Financial needs are determined by deducting the entire tuition, fees, and living expenses from the annual financial contribution you and your family are able to provide. Until you earn your degree or for up to three more years of undergraduate education, your grant may be continued.
The following criteria must be met in order to be considered for the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award:
- Possess a Canadian study permit and be an international student who plans to attend school in Canada.
- To enrol in UBC, you must transfer after your first year of a post-secondary institution or a recognised high school.
- Satisfy all UBC requirements for admission, including the English Language Admission Standard as well as all other general and degree-specific requirements.
- A history of achievement in the classroom.
- Demonstrate a need for money that would otherwise prevent you from pursuing a degree at UBC.
- Have graduated from high school no sooner than June of the year before the academic year for which you are applying.
- University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
In order to motivate international students to continue their studies and enrol in the first cycle of study, the University of Calgary offers International Entrance Scholarships each year to those who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The Scholarship has a number of conditions, including academic excellence and extracurricular accomplishments. If recipients maintain a 2.60 GPA over a minimum of 24.00 units in the previous fall and winter terms, the $15,000 scholarship is renewed each year in the second, third, and fourth years of study at the University of Calgary. The undergraduate programme has a four-year total cost of $60,000. Any subject from the University of Calgary’s Bachelor’s degree programme may be chosen by international students who wish to apply for this award.
In order to be eligible for the international entrance scholarship, international students must meet a few particular criteria:
- An undergraduate degree programme that starts in the Fall semester is required for international students to be enrolled full-time.
- Obviously a freshman.
- To be eligible for a scholarship, a student’s GPA must be at least 3.20.
- It must also satisfy the university’s requirement for English language proficiency.
- University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leaders
At the University of Winnipeg, international students who are enrolling for the first time in any of the university’s divisions are awarded the President’s Scholarship for World Leaders. The recipients of this scholarship must be willing to enrol in one of Winnipeg University’s bachelor’s or master’s degree programmes. All foreign applicants must also have an admission average of at least 80% or similar and be involved in activities that show leadership. The President’s Scholarship for World Leaders has a $5,000 value. International students may use the scholarship to enrol in the PACE (Professional, Applied and Counting Education) or ELP (English Language Program) programmes at the University of Winnipeg that best suit their needs in addition to the bachelor’s and master’s programmes offered there.
The following prerequisites for candidates must be satisfied:
- Have an admission average of 80% or higher.
- Be an international student
- Set a high standard for leadership.
- Be at the beginning of any program’s first year.
- Apply for admission in its entirety before the scholarship deadline.
One of the simplest methods to start your education in Canada is to be awarded a scholarship that will cover both your study and living expenses. Students who thrive in the classroom in Canada typically receive scholarships from educational institutions. Working and volunteering still have a small but significant impact on your chances of getting a Canadian scholarship. In terms of non-repayable financial help, scholarships are a very competitive and limited resource. International students are eligible to apply for Canadian scholarships if they enrol in undergraduate, master’s, doctorate, post-doctoral, and certificate programmes. In almost every academic field, the Canadian government provides scholarships abroad. The recipients of this Canada Government scholarship for international students might be from any region. The longest scholarship offered by Canadian colleges, which can cover up to four years’ worth of tuition, is a blessing.
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