Scholarships for International Students in Canada

Federal Government Scholarship Programs

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Level: Doctoral (PhD) Value: $50,000/year for 3 years ($150,000 total) Eligibility: International and Canadian students nominated by a Canadian university for doctoral studies Fields: All disciplines (social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, engineering, health sciences) Selection criteria: Academic excellence, research potential, leadership

The Vanier is Canada's most prestigious graduate scholarship. Nominations come from universities — you must first secure a supervisor and apply through your institution.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

Level: Postdoctoral research Value: $70,000/year for 2 years ($140,000 total) Eligibility: Canadian and international postdoctoral researchers working at a Canadian institution Fields: Health research, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities

Like the Vanier, Banting applications are institution-nominated.

Canada Graduate Scholarships — Master's Program (CGS-M)

Level: Master's Value: $17,500 for 12 months Eligibility: Canadian citizens and permanent residents only — not available to international students on study permits Administered by: NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR depending on field

Note: This award is open to PRs, making it relevant for newcomers who study while on a pathway to permanent residence.

Government of Canada International Scholarships (GCIS)

These programs fund international students to study in Canada through bilateral agreements and Global Affairs Canada partnerships:

Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) Short-term scholarships (4–6 months) for students from Latin America and the Caribbean. Value: Monthly stipend + airfare

Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) For students from ASEAN member states. Value: Monthly stipend + travel

Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program Research study opportunities in Canada for Chinese nationals.

Check the full list at: canada.ca/scholarships-fellowships

Provincial Government Scholarship Programs

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

Level: Master's and Doctoral Value: $15,000/year (eligible international students may apply through their Ontario institution) Funded by: Ontario government and participating universities

International students enrolled at Ontario graduate schools may be eligible — contact your university's awards office.

BC Graduate Scholarship

Level: Master's and Doctoral Value: $15,000/year Administered by: BC universities and the BC government

International graduate students at BC universities may be eligible through their institution.

Institutional Scholarships: The Largest Pool

The biggest source of scholarships for international undergraduates is the institutions themselves. Every major Canadian university has an international student scholarship program. These range from small entrance awards ($1,000–$5,000) to full tuition scholarships for exceptional students.

Selected Institutional Programs

University of Toronto — Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

• Value: Full tuition + books + residence for 4 years
• Eligibility: International students in their final year of secondary school, nominated by their school
• Criteria: Academic excellence and demonstrated impact in school and community
• Competition: Approximately 37 awards for 10,000+ nominations annually
• Application: pearson.utoronto.ca

UBC — International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES)

• Value: $40,000 total ($10,000/year for 4 years)
• Eligibility: Exceptional international undergraduate students
• Application: Automatic consideration with admission application
• ubc.ca/scholarships

McGill University — McGill Entrance Scholarship

• Value: $3,000–$12,000/year (range of awards)
• Eligibility: International students entering McGill based on academic achievement
• Automatic consideration with admission

University of Waterloo — International Student Entrance Scholarship

• Value: $2,000/year renewable
• Eligibility: Admission average of 95%+
• Automatic consideration

University of Alberta — Recruitment Scholarships

• Value: $9,000 over 4 years ($2,250/year)
• Automatic consideration for high achievers

Dalhousie University — Dalhousie Excellence Award

• Value: $6,000/year (renewable)
• Focus: Atlantic Canada — Nova Scotia is actively recruiting internationally

Private Foundation and Organization Scholarships

Aga Khan Foundation Canada — International Scholarship Program

For students from developing countries (including Canada) pursuing graduate studies. Criteria: Merit and financial need Value: 50% grant, 50% loan agakhanfoundation.org/canada

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Targets academically talented students from Africa with financial need. Full scholarship covering tuition, living expenses, travel. Available at select Canadian institutions. mastercardfdn.org/scholars

Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship

For students from Commonwealth countries. Funded by Global Affairs Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Available at the Master's and doctoral level. Value: Full cost of study cbie.ca/scholarships

Organization of American States (OAS) Scholarships

For students from OAS member states (35 countries in the Americas). Available for Master's and doctoral study in Canada. oas.org/scholarships

How to Apply Competitively

Start Early

Most scholarship deadlines are 6–12 months before the program start date. Institutional scholarships are often tied to the admission deadline. International government-funded programs have their own timelines.

Maintain a Strong Academic Record

The minimum academic threshold for most competitive scholarships is 85–90%+ in your previous study. For graduate scholarships (Vanier, Banting), a near-perfect record and strong publications are expected.

Tailor Every Application

Generic statements of purpose rarely succeed. Address the scholarship's specific mandate — if it funds "emerging leaders," write about your leadership impact. If it funds "research excellence," describe your research contributions.

Get Strong Reference Letters

References from supervisors or professors who know your work well are critical. Give referees at least 6–8 weeks' notice and provide them with your CV, statement of purpose, and the scholarship criteria.

Apply for Many Awards

Do not put all effort into one prestigious award. A portfolio approach — applying for institutional awards, private foundation awards, and government programs simultaneously — maximizes your chances.

Use Your University's Awards Office

Your institution's scholarship or graduate awards office maintains a database of awards and helps students prepare applications. Use this resource — it is free and staffed by people who know what makes applications successful.