7 Types of Scholarships in Canada for International Students

International students can finance their studies in Canada through scholarships, which are non-repayable financial awards. Scholarship and fellowship funding for international students who wish to study in this country is limited, highly competitive, and available mostly at the postgraduate level. If you also are a student planning to study in Canada, make sure you check out which scholarships are available from organizations and universities. This article provides seven types of scholarships in Canada that are available to international students.

In this guide:

• Country-Based Scholarships for International Students
• Financial Scholarships, Types of Scholarships in Canada
• Government-Funded Scholarships in Canada
• Merit Scholarships for Excels in Communities
• Privately Funded Scholarships, Types of Scholarships in Canada
• Part Scholarships for International Students
• University Scholarships in Canadian Universities
• Conclusion

Tuition fees are relatively high in Canadian universities, and in some big cities, the cost of living can be quite expensive. High expenses of living can often put international students off studying in this country.

That’s why this article about types of scholarships in Canada for international students is useful. There are many scholarship funds from universities and government-funded opportunities that students can apply for them. The followings are seven types of scholarships in Canada that you should know about.

You can also read this: “Top 14 Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in 2023-2024”

Country-Based Scholarships for International Students

Some scholarships and fellowships are particularly for students from developing countries. These scholarships help students to pay tuition fees, travel expenses, and lodging.

For instance, the Canadian Partnership for International Justice offers three scholarships to graduate students from developing countries to attend the International Justice and Victims’ Rights Summer School. This scholarship is at the Montreal Center for International Studies, University of Montreal.

Financial Scholarships, Types of Scholarships in Canada

These types of scholarships in Canada are based on the financial need of the students. The bulk of these scholarships are only available for United States residents, but some universities will give out needs-based scholarships to international students.

For instance, the University of British Columbia partners with the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program to provide comprehensive scholarships for Sub-Saharan Africa students. This program offers access to education for academically gifted yet economically marginalized people.

More than 77 students from Africa will receive comprehensive undergraduate scholarships and awards to live and study their fields of interest at the University of British Columbia, thanks to a USD 25 million grant from The MasterCard Foundation.

Selected students will receive a scholarship equal to the costs related to attaining a degree, including tuition, textbooks, travel, housing, and living expenses. They will also receive social, academic, and post-graduation support, which will enable them to build experiences and competencies critical for academic success.

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Government-Funded Scholarships in Canada

The Canadian government offers many scholarship programs for international students.

Following are some instances of the Canadian government scholarships, which you can track down to get more information:

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships: These Canadian government fellowships and scholarships are for international students undertaking postgraduate study within the social and natural sciences or health research.

Canada Graduate Scholarships: These scholarships are for Canadian students enrolled on a master’s degree or Ph.D. at a university in this country.

IDRC Research Awards: These Canadian government scholarships are offered to students from developing countries to begin a master’s or doctoral research degree at a recognized school.

NSERC Postgraduate scholarships: Various Canadian government scholarships, awards, and grants are open to distinguished students undertaking study in the engineering and natural sciences at an approved Canadian university. The NSERC funds these types of scholarships in Canada for international students.

Organization of American States Academic Scholarship Program: Canadian government scholarships from the Organization of American States (OAS) are available to graduate students from any OAS member state, including selected countries in Latin America and the Caribbean islands.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program: Finally, these Canadian government scholarships are open to doctoral students internationally to study at a participating university in Canada.

Merit Scholarships for Excels in Communities

Academically talented students who were top sports players in high school or excelled in the community or entrepreneurial work are awarded merit scholarships in Canada.

For instance, since 1975, in partnership with Ontario’s publicly–assisted universities, Ontario has encouraged excellence in graduate studies at the masters and doctoral levels by awarding Ontario Graduate Scholarships. OGS awards are merit–based scholarships available to students in all disciplines of academic research.

The OGS program is jointly funded by Ontario universities and the Province of Ontario. The Province of Ontario contributes two-thirds of the scholarship value, and the university provides one-third of it. Here are some other available scholarships for international students:

HEC Montréal Scholarships: These are merit-based Canadian scholarships for international students at HEC Montréal, including mobility scholarships.

UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award: These merit-based Canadian scholarships to study at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver are available for undergraduate students who demonstrate leadership skills and exceptional academic achievement.

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University of Saskatchewan International Student Awards: These are merit-based scholarships to study in Canada for undergraduate international students at the University of Saskatchewan.

Privately Funded Scholarships, Types of Scholarships in Canada

Sometimes private organizations, businesses, or donors will fund scholarships for international students. These are also more likely to target developing countries and minority groups or in specific study fields.

Following are just some instances of non-governmental scholarships for international students to study in Canada:

Anne Vallee Ecological Fund: These scholarships are open to international students undertaking animal research at the doctoral level at an accredited university in Québec or British Columbia.

Canada Memorial Scholarship: These are full scholarships available for British postgraduate students to study at any accredited Canadian higher education provider, covering tuition, accommodation, travel, and more.

Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships: The Trudeau Foundation offers several scholarships and fellowships to international students at the doctoral level planning to study in Canada at selected universities.

Part Scholarships for International Students

Students can study in Canada on fully funded or partially funded scholarships. Part scholarships can range from small one-off payments students can use towards their fees or a more considerable amount staggered to cover individual costs of going to university.

Also, you can read about “Top 16 Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students in 2023”

University Scholarships in Canadian Universities

Most universities will offer some financial help for international students, so your university of choice should be your first step of calling when considering funding. While some universities offer awards and scholarships for tuition costs, it is better to apply for scholarships to cover your entire stay in this country.

Fully-funded scholarships and fellowships in Canada are among the most sought-after opportunities for international students from all over the world. However, compared to the UK and US, these scholarships are fewest in number. What makes Canada stand out is the presence of diverse cultures and lifestyles. The followings are some university-specific scholarships to study in Canada for international students:

• Carleton University Awards for International Students: These scholarships to study in Canada at Carleton University are available for all graduate students, who are automatically considered for the scholarships upon application.
• Concordia University International Undergraduate Awards: Various scholarships for international students to study at Concordia University in Montréal, available for international students in Canada at the undergraduate level.
• Dalhousie University Scholarships: These are scholarships for current and prospective international and domestic students of all levels studying at Dalhousie University in Halifax.
• Fairleigh Dickinson Scholarships for International Students: These scholarships are open for international students of all levels undertaking study at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Vancouver.
• International Student Scholarships at Humber College Canada: These are a range of Canadian scholarships for international students at the undergraduate level to study at Humber College in Toronto.
• McGill University Scholarships and Student Aid: There are various funding opportunities in McGill, including the McGill Entrance Scholarship Program and the PBEEE, Quebec Merit Scholarship for Foreign Students, for international students enrolled in graduate, postdoctoral studies.
• Queen’s University International Scholarships: There are several types of Canadian scholarships for international students to study at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Some scholarships are just available for students from the United States, India, and Pakistan.
• Quest University Canada: These awards and scholarships are available, ranging from about USD 1500 to complete tuition to study at Quest University Canada that all international students are eligible for.
• UBC Graduate Scholarships: It’s a searchable database of scholarships for master’s and Ph.D. students at the University of British Columbia, including its four-year doctoral scholarships and Graduate Support Initiative.
• University of Alberta International Scholarships: There is a range of scholarship options for international students to study at the undergraduate or graduate levels in Canada at the University of Alberta in Canada.
• University of Calgary International Scholarships: These are a selection of scholarships for international students to study in Canada at the University of Calgary. These awards range from USD 400 to USD 5000.
• University of Manitoba Scholarships: These awards to study in Canada at the University of Manitoba are available for international undergraduates. The Faculty of Graduate Studies in this university lists scholarship options for international students.
• University of Toronto Ontario Graduate Scholarships: These awards are for international and domestic students to study in Canada at the University of Toronto’s School of Graduate Studies.
• University of Waterloo International Funding: There are various Canadian fellowships for international students planning on master’s degrees or doctoral degrees at the University of Waterloo.
• Simon Fraser University Financial Aid and Awards: These are a range of scholarships for international and domestic students currently studying or planning to study at Simon Fraser University.
• Western University International President’s Entrance Scholarships: These Canadian scholarships are offered to international students studying at Western University.
• York University International Student Program: The famous York University offers several international awards for undergraduate students to study in Toronto.

Conclusion

Canadian Universities are among the most popular destinations for international students, but unfortunately, studying in this country doesn’t come cheap. For those keen to learn in Canada but who need financial help, we’ve rounded up seven types of scholarships in Canada for international students, plus several available scholarships and awards in each field.