Top Canadian Scholarships for International Students

Canada’s top-notch educational system, wide range of cultural experiences, and friendly atmosphere make it a popular destination for international students. Living costs and tuition, however, can be a major financial hardship. There are several scholarships available for overseas students, especially Indian students, to aid with this difficulty. The purpose of these scholarships is to lower the cost of Study in Canada. They are supported by the government, academic institutions, and private groups. When preparing for your academic adventure in Canada, the best scholarships are listed in detail below. 

1. Government-Funded Scholarships

Canadian education system is well known for their initiatives towards promoting better educational standards and rewarding scholarships to deserving students is one of them. There are several grants and scholarships that is provided by the Canadian government to help make the study abroad process of international students easy. 

A. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)

One of the most prominent scholarships for PhD candidates in Canada is the Vanier CGS. Its main goal is to draw and keep top talent in Canada by honoring students who exhibit exceptional leadership qualities and promise in the classroom. 

• Fields of Study: Health sciences, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. 

• Eligibility: Open to both Canadian and international students. 

• Award Amount: CAD 50,000 per year for three years. 

• How to Apply: The Canadian university where an applicant plans to pursue a Ph.D. must nominate them. 

In addition to providing financial aid, this fellowship raises students’ academic standing internationally. 

B. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

Designed for postdoctoral researchers, this fellowship aims to attract top-tier talent to Canada and support research that contributes to the nation’s economic and social growth. 

• Eligibility: Open to both Canadian and international researchers. 

• Award Amount: CAD 70,000 per year for two years. 

• How to Apply: Applicants must apply in collaboration with a host institution in Canada. 

C. Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Program (CGS-M)

Students pursuing a master’s degree in Canada are the target audience for the CGS-M. Students with extraordinary academic success and research potential are supported by this program. 

• Eligibility: Full-time master’s students in eligible fields. 

• Award Amount: CAD 17,500 for one year. 

• How to Apply: Applications are submitted through the Research Portal, and students must be accepted into a master’s program. 

D. Mitacs Globalink Research Internship

Mitacs provides foreign undergraduates with a research-based scholarship. Students can take part in a 12-week research project under the guidance of Canadian university faculty members thanks to this website. 

• Eligibility: Undergraduate students in their penultimate year of study. 

• Award Amount: Includes a stipend for accommodation, travel, and research costs. 

• How to Apply: Submit an application via the Mitacs website. 

E. Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)

With an emphasis on sustainable development, SEED provides a number of perks, such as living allowances, travel expenses, and tuition. The SEED program aims to reduce poverty by supporting students from ASEAN countries, including India, to undertake short-term studies or research in Canada. 

• Eligibility: Students from ASEAN member states studying in fields related to sustainable development. 

• Award Amount: Covers tuition, airfare, living expenses, and health insurance. 

• How to Apply: Canadian institutions apply on behalf of eligible candidates. 

2. University-Specific Scholarships

Along with the government, Canadian universities are also seen proving different scholarships to deserving international students. 

A. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto)

For overseas students with outstanding academic and leadership records, this grant is a lifeline. 

• Eligibility: Secondary school students nominated by their school. 

• Award Amount: Full coverage of tuition, books, residence, and incidental fees for four years. 

• How to Apply: Students must be nominated and apply to the University of Toronto. 

B. York University International Student Scholarships

For undergraduate students who wish to study in Toronto, York University provides a variety of foreign scholarships. 

• Eligibility: High-achieving students with strong leadership qualities. 

• Award Amount: Ranges from CAD 20,000 to CAD 35,000 annually for undergraduate programs. 

• How to Apply: Application required alongside the admission form. 

C. University of British Columbia (UBC) Scholarships

The Donald A. Wehrung foreign Student Award and the International Leader of Tomorrow Award are two of the scholarships that UBC provides to foreign students. 

• Eligibility: Undergraduate students demonstrating financial need and academic excellence. 

• Award Amount: Covers tuition and living expenses based on financial need. 

• How to Apply: Submit a separate application for the scholarship while applying for admission. 

D. Carleton University Entrance Scholarships

Carleton University offers generous scholarships to international students based on their admission average. 

• Eligibility: Students with an admission average of 80% or higher. 

• Award Amount: Ranges from CAD 4,000 to CAD 16,000 over four years. 

• How to Apply: A separate application is not necessary; students are immediately considered upon acceptance. 

3. Provincial Scholarships

Aside from national scholarships, there are also Provincial Scholarships which international students can apply for. These scholarships are offered by individual provinces to international students coming to study there. 

A. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

OGS supports graduate students at Ontario institutions and recognizes academic performance. 

• Eligibility: Students with at least an A-minus average in their last two years of study. 

• Award Amount: CAD 5,000 per session, up to CAD 15,000 annually. 

• How to Apply: Apply through the graduate studies office of the respective university. 

B. Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarships

This scholarship is for students pursuing research-based master’s or doctoral degrees in Alberta. 

• Eligibility: Research fields such as ICT, nanotechnology, and genomics. 

• Award Amount: CAD 26,000 annually for doctoral students and CAD 17,000 for master’s students. 

• How to Apply: Applications are processed through Alberta universities. 

C. British Columbia Graduate Scholarship (BCGS)

The BCGS program supports graduate students in British Columbia. 

• Eligibility: Graduate students pursuing full-time research programs. 

• Award Amount: Varies by institution but generally includes significant financial support. 

• How to Apply: Contact the respective university for application procedures. 

4. Private and Organizational Schr4olarships

There are private organizations and NGOs that do their fair share to help ease the financial burden that international students face when pursuing their study abroad. 

A. Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Fellowships

This initiative strengthens ties between India and Canada by offering various scholarships and fellowships. 

• Eligibility: Indian students enrolled in Indian universities seeking research opportunities in Canada. 

• Award Amount: Includes travel, living expenses, and research grants. 

• How to Apply: Applications are submitted online via the institute’s portal. 

B. Rotary Foundation Global Grants

Rotary offers scholarships for graduate-level coursework or research in fields like peace studies, disease prevention, and education. 

• Eligibility: Graduate students enrolled in Canadian universities. 

• Award Amount: Covers tuition, accommodation, and other expenses up to USD 30,000. 

• How to Apply: Contact a local Rotary club to initiate the application process. 

C. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships

The Inlaks Foundation supports exceptional Indian students pursuing full-time postgraduate programs abroad, including in Canada. 

• Eligibility: Indian citizens with a first-class degree and admission to a leading institution. 

• Award Amount: Up to USD 100,000 to cover tuition, living expenses, and travel. 

• How to Apply: Applications must be submitted directly to the foundation. 

5. College-Specific Scholarships

There are several colleges like Humber and Douglas who offer scholarships to Indian students coming to study at their campus.  

A. Humber College International Entrance Scholarships

This program is designed for students enrolling in undergraduate programs at Humber College. 

• Eligibility: Students with excellent academic records and community involvement. 

• Award Amount: CAD 3,000 to CAD 5,000. 

• How to Apply: Scholarship applications are submitted post-admission. 

B. Douglas College International Student Scholarships

Douglas College offers scholarships for undergraduate students with outstanding academic performance. 

• Eligibility: International students enrolled in undergraduate programs. 

• Award Amount: Up to CAD 7,000 annually. 

• How to Apply: Applications are submitted online through the college portal. 

Tips for a Strong Scholarship Application 

1. Start Early: There are tight deadlines for scholarship applications. Start your preparations and research far in advance.  
2. Customize Your Essays: Emphasize your accomplishments and make sure they support the goals of the scholarship.  
3. Obtain Solid References: Your application may be strengthened by letters of recommendation from instructors or employers.  
4. Fulfill All Requirements: Make sure your application has all the required files, including test results and transcripts. 

Conclusion 

A desire worth pursuing is to pursue higher Study in Canada, and scholarships can help make that dream come true. The range of alternatives available to students includes both private and university-specific scholarships as well as government-funded initiatives. It’s critical to plan your academic future by comprehending the eligibility requirements, application procedure, and advantages of these scholarships. 

Next, choose scholarships that fit your objectives, create a compelling application, and open the doors to a top-notch education in Canada!