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Top Canadian Scholarships for International Students

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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. 

Scholarship Name 

Eligibility  Award Amount  How to Apply 

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) 

Ph.D. students in health sciences, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities  CAD 50,000/year for three years 

Nominated by a Canadian university 

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships 

Open to both Canadian and international researchers  CAD 70,000/year for two years 

Apply in collaboration with a Canadian host institution 

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

Full-time master’s students in eligible fields  CAD 17,500 for one year  Apply via the Research Portal 
Mitacs Globalink Research Internship  Undergraduate students in their penultimate year of study  Includes stipend for travel, accommodation, and research 

Apply on the Mitacs website 

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

Students from ASEAN countries focusing on sustainable development  Covers tuition, living, and travel expenses  Apply through participating institutions 
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship  Secondary school students nominated by their school  Full coverage of tuition, books, residence, and incidental fees 

Nominated by school; apply to the University of Toronto 

York University International Student Scholarships 

High-achieving international students with leadership qualities  CAD 20,000 to CAD 35,000 annually  Application with admission form 

UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award 

Undergraduate students demonstrating financial need and academic excellence  Full coverage of tuition and living expenses 

Apply with admission to UBC 

Carleton University Entrance Scholarships  Students with an admission average of 80% or higher   CAD 4,000 to CAD 16,000 over four years 

Automatically considered upon admission 

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) 

Graduate students in Ontario with at least an A-minus average in the last two years  CAD 5,000/session; up to CAD 15,000 annually  Apply through the graduate studies office 

Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarships 

Research-based master’s or doctoral students in Alberta  CAD 26,000/year for Ph.D. and CAD 17,000 for Master’s 

Apply through Alberta universities 

British Columbia Graduate Scholarship (BCGS)  Graduate students in full-time research programs in British Columbia  Varies by institution 

Contact respective universities 

Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Fellowships 

Indian students seeking research opportunities in Canada  Covers travel, living expenses, and research grants 

Submit applications online via the institute’s portal 

Rotary Foundation Global Grants 

Graduate students enrolled in Canadian universities  Up to USD 30,000 for tuition, accommodation, and other expenses 

Apply via local Rotary club 

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships  

Indian citizens with a first-class degree and admission to a leading institution  Up to USD 100,000 to cover tuition, living expenses, and travel  Submit applications directly to the foundation 
Humber College International Entrance Scholarships  Undergraduate students with excellent academic and community records  CAD 3,000 to CAD 5,000 

Submit scholarship application post-admission 

Douglas College International Student Scholarships  Undergraduate students with outstanding academic performance  Up to CAD 7,000 annually 

Apply online through the college portal 

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! 

Canada Highlights a New Mark- Increases Work Hours for Students!

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Canada has made yet another advantageous move to allow international students to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week, up from the previous cap of 20 hours per week. This change will last forever and start happening this fall.

Going from 20 hours of off-campus work to 24 hours might not seem like a big change, but it means that students and companies can work together for three shifts instead of two. Because many shift-based jobs have a seven- or eight-hour rotation, companies may not want to hire and teach new people who can only work two shifts a week.

The increase to 24 hours of off-campus work per week tips the scales in favour of three shifts per week. This could make more businesses willing to hire student workers, which could mean more money for those workers to help pay their Canadian International Student tuition fees.

The choice to make this change was made after a lot of thought. Things like average shift lengths and research showing that long work hours hurt academic performance were considered. Researchers have found that working more hours while studying is linked to worse grades and more students dropping out.

Canada is dedicated to giving international students a balance between academic excellence and financial aid because they are aware of these risks.

Why the 24-Hour Work Limit is in Place?

Marc Miller says that the 24-hour work week, which is made up of three shifts of eight hours each, strikes a good balance that doesn’t have a big effect on academic success. This is in line with the main idea behind the foreign student program, which is that studying should come before work.

Miller knows that foreign students have trouble with money, but he stresses how important it is to look out for their financial well-being.

What Does This Mean for International Students Who are Already There?

Since this new law won’t go into action until the fall of 2024, people who are studying in Canada right now will have to follow the rules that are already in place for working as international students in Canada. Yes, up to 20 hours a week during school terms and full-time during breaks.

What does This Mean for People Who Want to Study Abroad in the Future?


This new rule means that people who want to Study in Canada can work up to 24 hours a week while they are in school. This may not seem important, but it will help you make more money to pay for your school. As an example, look at Ontario. For people in Ontario who make the minimum wage, this would add up to about $2,000 in extra pay over the school year.

How Does This Fit in With Other Places?

Different countries often have rules about how many hours foreign students can study during school breaks. In the US and Canada, studies have shown that kids did worse in school when they worked more than 28 hours a week.

A new rule for foreign students in Australia lets them work 48 hours every two weeks. In the US, students have to meet extra requirements before they can work off campus, and even if they do, they can only work 20 hours a week. While they are in school, foreign students in the UK can only work 20 hours a week.

Will International Students Still be Able to Work Full-Time During Breaks Now That They can only Work 24 Hours a Week?


If you are a foreign student during the school year, you can only work 24 hours a week. It is still possible for international students to work full-time during school breaks.

More Changes for International Students’

The changes to work hours off campus are just one part of a bigger plan to make the foreign student program better. Canada is working hard to make progress with partners in the provinces and territories, and changes have been made to off-campus work hours.

A framework for recognized institutions has also been put in place to reward post-secondary schools that go the extra mile to help foreign students.

Canada is showing that they want the foreign student program to succeed by making these changes. They are also taking strong steps to make the program better for everyone involved.

In Conclusion,

Canada making such big moves for international students is nothing short of impressive for everyone. For those who are willing to move to Canada to study- it is an out-and-bright opportunity.

Rao Consultants is a pioneer when it comes to studying in Canada. With over 2 decades of experience in the foreign education field, we have sent thousands of students who are successfully venturing their careers in their dream countries, especially in Canada.

Are you willing to find out more about what exactly is Canada willing to offer when it comes to foreign education?

Book your one-to-one consultation with our experts now!