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Scholarships in Canada for International Students – Dates, Eligibility, How to Apply

Akhilesh Kumar May 8, 2021 67 0

Scholarships in Canada for International Students: Canada is one of the most sought-after destinations for international students. To study in Canada there are certain perks. Apart from gaining an education at some of the finest schools in the world, students are also provided with an opportunity to bring their family along with them, start earning even before they complete their studies with the help of work while study programs and even get a chance of availing Canadian Citizenship by becoming Canadian Permanent Resident.

Studying here might be one of the best life altering decision you’ll ever make, but unfortunately, it isn’t cheap. For those interested in studying in Canada but lack financial support, we’ve rounded up a list of scholarships for international students as well as Canadian students, provided by Canadian government, governments of their respective countries, individual Canadian universities, and other private organizations.

Scholarships offered by the Canadian Government

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships-

The Canadian Government offers Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship to the very best postdoctoral applicants. Recipients of this scholarship are primarily selected to contribute to country’s economic, social and research-based growth.

Eligibility

• Must have completed their degree requirements for a PhD, PhD-equivalent or health professional degree before the start of their award or between September 15, 2015 and September 30, 2019.
• In case a candidate is not able to fulfill all requirements for their degree at the time of application, they will have to submit a proof, no later than October 15, 2019.
• Some of the reasons of interruptions that can be considered valid are childrearing, illness, clinical training (residency) and allow up to 2 years of maximum extension of your eligibility window.

How to Apply?

• Check if you are eligible or not for the scholarship.
• Contact your desired host institution
• Create Canadian Common CV (Vanier-Banting academic template) and start a ResearchNet application
• Identify area of research, identify participants and three referees.

Things to keep in mind

• In case an applicant is not the citizen or permanent resident of Canada, he/she may only hold their Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship at a Canadian institution.
• In case an applicant is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, but has obtained his/ her PhD, PhD-equivalent or health professional degree from a foreign university may only hold their Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship at a Canadian institution.
• In case an applicant is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada and has obtained his/ her PhD, PhD-equivalent or health professional degree from a Canadian university are allowed to hold their Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship at either a Canadian institution or an institution outside of Canada.

Canada Graduate Scholarships- Master’s Program

The Canada Graduate Scholarships- Master’s Program is awarded to high caliber scholars pursuing eligible master’s programs in Canada. Highly qualified personnel is selected on the basis of their achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be a Canadian citizen or hold permanent residency of Canada
• He/ she must already be enrolled in or have applied to or is going to apply to an eligible graduate program at the master’s or doctoral level at a Canadian institution with a CGS M allocation.
• Program selected by the student will only be considered as an eligible graduate program if it has a significant research component. In case the Master’s program is only based on course work, it won’t be considered eligible.

How to Apply?

• Visit the research portal to complete and submit the application.
• Click on Create Applications to have a look at the funding programs available to you. Select the CGS M Program and click on Create.
• A complete application must include:
  1. Application form;
  2. Outline of the proposed research (including the bibliography and citations);
  3. All required undergraduate and graduate transcripts;
  4. CGS M Canadian Common CV (CCV);
  5. Two reference assessments.

Every application must adhere to the presentation guidelines mentioned on the portal. Once you are done with all sections, click on submit.

Things to keep in mind

• Applicants must ensure that they are submitting their application to an institution that has an allocation for the field of research they intend to pursue.
• Must prove his/ her academic excellence. He/she must have achieved a first-class average in each of the last two completed years of study (as determined by the host institution)
• Submit your application to an institution which is an eligible Canadian institution and already has an allocation for the field in which you would like to pursue your research.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program

The Canadian government offers Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships to attract highly qualified doctoral students to study in Canada at a participating university.

Eligibility

• Must have received a Vanier CGS quota.
• Must be pursuing a doctoral degree including joint undergraduate/graduate research program.
• The applicants should not have completed more than 20 months of doctoral studies as of May 1, 2018.

How to Apply?

• Contact your host institution.
• Create a Canadian Common CV (Vanier-Banting academic template) and initiate a ResearchNet application.
• Identify participants and referees.
• Provide all information related to your degree and submit the same wit necessary documents to the Vanier CGS program.

Things to keep in mind

• In case a candidate is pursuing a joint undergraduate/ graduate research program, they must note that only the PhD portion of a combined degree is eligible for funding.
• The applicants must prove his/ her academic excellence. They must have achieved a first-class average in each of the last two years (as determined by their respective institution)

IDRC Research Awards

The Canadian Government offers IDRC Research scholarship to Canadian and foreign residents pursuing or have completed their master’s or a doctoral degree at a recognized university. Selected candidates can undertake one-year paid program to do research and gain hands-on experience in research and program management.

Eligibility

• Pursuing or have completed their master’s or a doctoral degree from a recognized university.
• For a position at IDRC’s head office in Ottawa, the candidate must possess a valid work permit until December 31, 2018.
• For a position at Uruguay, candidate must be a citizen or resident of Uruguay and pursuing or have completed a master’s or doctoral degree from a recognized university. Work permit for Uruguay is mandatory.
• For a position at Kenya, candidate must be citizen or resident of Kenya and pursuing or have completed a master’s or doctoral degree from a recognized university. Valid work permit for Kenya is mandatory.

How to Apply?

• Visit this link to access the online application system. Submit your complete application.
• After reviewing, applications will be shortlisted. Shortlisted candidates have to provide the following documents.

1. Proof of citizenship or permanent residency
2. Official transcripts of the recently completed degree
3. Proof of confirmed registration in master’s or doctoral program
4. Curriculum vitae
5. References

Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships-Doctoral Program and NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships-Doctoral Program

The Canadian Government offers the NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship to Canadian students who have a degree in science and engineering or are pursuing their degree.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be the citizens of Canada.
• Must be pursuing a full time graduate studies and research studies at doctoral level in the fields of natural sciences and engineering supported by NSERC

How to Apply?

• Fill and submit Form 201 online.
• Both CGS and PGS candidates will have to fill the same application form. Top ranked applicants will be a CGS D, and the next tier of meritorious applicants will be offered a PGS D.
• Apply directly to the university or to NSERC on the basis of following.

Things to keep in mind

• Obtain a first-class average in each of the last two years of study.
• They must not hold, or have held, a scholarship or fellowship from SSHRC, NSERC or CIHR to undertake or complete a doctoral program.

Organization of American States (OAS) Academic Scholarship Program

The Organization of American States (OAS) conducts a multilateral scholarship program for citizens of OAS Member states. According to this program, a graduate student belonging to one OAS member state can avail scholarship to study at another OAS member state.

About 35 independent states of the America are part of this organization.

Eligibility

The applicant must:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of an OAS Member State.
• Have obtained a university degree before submitting the scholarship application to National Liaison Offices (ONE).
• Be in good physical and mental health to be able to complete the program in which they have enrolled in.
• Maintain his/ her GPA above the minimum standard stated by the university.

How to Apply?

• Fill in the application form and send the same to National Liaison Agency (ONE) which has been designated in their respective country for the OAS program.
• Some of the documents to be provided by the applicant include:

1. Copy of diploma for highest degree obtained
2. Transcripts for all academic degrees completed including latest transcript if the applicant is currently enrolled in a program of study.
3. Three (3) recommendation letter out of which, two should be from current or former professors using the OAS Recommendation Statement Form, and 1 from a current or previous employer using the Employer Recommendation Form.
4. Curriculum Vitae

Things to keep in mind

• Renewable of the scholarship will be dependent on the performance of the student in the first academic year and the confirmation of the institution to renew the scholarship for the second year.
• After completing the program of study under the OAS Scholarship, the candidate must reside in the sponsoring country for a period of at least 2 years.
• Scholarship will not be awarded to study medical sciences or learn new languages.

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

The Department of Foreign Affairs, Global Affairs Canada funds SEED scholarships to students of ASEAN member states to help them study in Canada.

Note: You are an ASEAN member state if you are a citizen of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)), Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam).

These scholarships are results of agreements between colleges, technical or vocational institutions and universities.

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a citizen of an ASEAN member state.
• Must be enrolled in a fulltime post-secondary institution
• Must choose a field of study or research that can further help in contributing to the implementation of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

How to Apply?

Students need not apply for the scholarship as the Canadian institution must apply on behalf of the candidates.

However, the applicant must:

• Make their interest known and request for information related to the application form.
• Ensure that he/ she is eligible for the scholarship program.
• Provide all necessary documents to the institution and assist throughout the application process.
• Note if there is an existing collaboration or student exchange agreement between the two institutes in question.
• It is advised to submit the Visa application as early as possible. Applicant will then have to apply for student permit in case of course work and a work permit in case of research work.
• Once your Canadian courses have been identified, initiate the process for the transfer of credits to your home institution.

Here is a list of documents to be provided by the institution to successfully apply on behalf of the candidate.

Among these documents, candidates will have to submit a Letter of Intent.

In this letter, the applicant will have to explain how his/ her studies/research in Canada will help contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in his/ her home country. And how he/ she plans to tackle the problem if poverty and development gap in the ASEAN region.

Things to keep in mind:

• Selected college, undergraduate and graduate students are awarded CAD 8,700 (Master’s and PhD) for a minimum of four months or one academic term of study or research;
• For graduate students (Master’s and PhD) for a period of five to six months of study and research, CAD 11,200 will be provided.
• Undergraduate and college students for a period of eight months or two academic terms will be awarded CAD 14,400.
• Students who already have Canadian citizenship or have applied for Canadian permanent residency will not be considered eligible
• In case a student is part of some other scholarship program, he/ she is not eligible.

Canada-CARICOM Leadership Scholarships Program

Canada-CARICOM Leadership Scholarships Program offers scholarships to students from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for short-term exchange opportunities for study or research, in Canada, at the college, undergraduate and graduate levels.

These scholarships are results of agreements between colleges, technical or vocational institutions and universities.

Note: You may apply if you are a citizen of one of the following CARICOM Countries: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos.

Eligibility

The applicant must:

• Be a citizen of one of the CARICOM countries.
• Be enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in an eligible country.

How to Apply?

Students need not apply for the scholarship as the Canadian institution must apply on behalf of the candidates.

However, the applicant must:

• Make their interest known and request for information related to the application form.
• Ensure that he/ she is eligible for the scholarship program.
• Provide all necessary documents to the institution and assist throughout the application process.
• Note if there is an existing collaboration or student exchange agreement between the two institutes in question.
• It is advised to submit the Visa application as early as possible. Applicant will then have to apply for student permit in case of course work and a work permit in case of research work.
• Once your Canadian courses have been identified, initiate the process for the transfer of credits to your home institution.

Here is a list of documents to be provided by the institution to successfully apply on behalf of the candidate.

Among these documents, candidates will have to submit a Letter of Intent.

In this letter, the applicant will have to explain in maximum one page, the nature of his/ her research or studies. He /s he will have to explain the rationale for study in Canada and why he/ she has selected a particular institute. Further the letter must indicate how the proposed program of study or research is likely to help the candidate build his future career.

Things to keep in mind

• CAD 7,200 will be awarded to college, undergraduate or graduate (Master’s and PhD) students for a minimum of four months or one academic term of study or research;
• CAD 9,700 will be provided for graduate students (Master’s and PhD) for a period of five or six months of study or research; or
• CAD 14,700 will be given for undergraduate and college students for a period of eight months or two academic terms of study or research.
• Students who already have Canadian citizenship or have applied for Canadian permanent residency will not be considered eligible.
• In case a student is part of some other scholarship program, he/ she is not eligible.

Canada-Chile Leadership Exchange Scholarship

Under Canada-Chile Leadership Exchange Scholarship program, students from Chile are provided with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research, in Canada, at the college, undergraduate and graduate levels.

These scholarships are results of agreements between colleges, technical or vocational institutions and universities.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be the citizens of Chile
• Be enrolled in a full time course in post- secondary institution in Chile.

How to Apply?

Students need not apply for the scholarship as the Canadian institution must apply on behalf of the candidates.

However, the applicant must:

• Make their interest known and request for information related to the application form.
• Ensure that he/ she is eligible for the scholarship program.
• Provide all necessary documents to the institution and assist throughout the application process.
• Note if there is an existing collaboration or student exchange agreement between the two institutes in question.
• It is advised to submit the Visa application as early as possible. Applicant will then have to apply for student permit in case of course work and a work permit in case of research work.
• Once your Canadian courses have been identified, initiate the process for the transfer of credits to your home institution.

Here is a list of documents to be provided by the institution to successfully apply on behalf of the candidate.

Among these documents, candidates will have to submit a Letter of Intent.

In this letter, the applicant will have to explain in maximum one page, the nature of his/ her research or studies. He /s he will have to explain the rationale for study in Canada and why he/ she has selected a particular institute. Further the letter must indicate how the proposed program of study or research is likely to help the candidate build his future career.

Things to keep in mind

• CAD 7,200 will be awarded to college, undergraduate or graduate students (Master’s and PhD) for a minimum of four months or one academic term of study or research; or
• CAD 9,700 will be given for graduate students (Master’s and PhD) for a period of five to six months of study or research.
• Students who already have Canadian citizenship or have applied for Canadian permanent residency will not be considered eligible.
• In case a student is part of some other scholarship program, he/ she is not eligible.

Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) Scholarship

Under the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP), scholarships are provided to students from Latin America and the Caribbean with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research, in Canada, at the college, undergraduate and graduate levels.

These scholarships are results of agreements between colleges, technical or vocational institutions and universities.

Note: You may be eligible for Emerging Leaders in the Americas Programs Scholarship if you are a citizen of either of the following.

• Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos;
• Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama;
• North America: Mexico; or
• South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be the citizens of one of the following areas: Citizens of Caribbean, Central America, South America, North America.
• Be enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in an eligible country.

How to Apply?

Students need not apply for the scholarship as the Canadian institution must apply on behalf of the candidates.

However, the applicant must:

• Make their interest known and request for information related to the application form.
• Ensure that he/ she is eligible for the scholarship program.
• Provide all necessary documents to the institution and assist throughout the application process.
• Note if there is an existing collaboration or student exchange agreement between the two institutes in question.
• It is advised to submit the Visa application as early as possible. Applicant will then have to apply for student permit in case of course work and a work permit in case of research work.
• Once your Canadian courses have been identified, initiate the process for the transfer of credits to your home institution.

Here is a list of documents to be provided by the institution to successfully apply on behalf of the candidate.

Among these documents, candidates will have to submit a Letter of Intent.

In this letter, the applicant will have to explain in maximum one page, the nature of his/ her research or studies. He /s he will have to explain the rationale for study in Canada and why he/ she has selected a particular institute. Further the letter must indicate how the proposed program of study or research is likely to help the candidate build his future career.

Things to keep in mind

• CAD 7,200 will be awarded to college, undergraduate or graduate (Master’s and PhD) students for a minimum of four months or one academic term of study or research;
• CAD 9,700 will be provided for graduate students (Master’s and PhD) for a period of five or six months of study or research; or
• Students who already have Canadian citizenship or have applied for Canadian permanent residency will not be considered eligible.
• In case a student is part of some other scholarship program, he/ she is not eligible.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Federal Government runs FAFSA, a financial aid to help U.S students and non U.S students with valid Social security number, pay for their educational expenses at an eligible college or career school. Financial aid is provided in the form of grants, loans and work-study.

Under FAFSA, students can be provided financial aid from the U.S. federal government, the state where you live, the college you attend, or a nonprofit or private organization.

Eligibility

The applicant must:

• Be a U.S Citizen/ U.S National or non US citizens with a valid Social Security Number
• Be qualified enough to apply for college or career school education.
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a eligible degree or certificate program as a regular student
• Be registered with selective service if they are a male and between the age of 18 and 25 years.
• Have a valid SSN i.e Social security number.
• Maintain a satisfactory performance at the college or career school you are enrolled in.
• Not hold any other federal student grant under their name.
• Not have defaulted any other federal student loans.

Note: Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau can be exempted from having SSN.

How to apply?

Interested and eligible students must fill out the FAFSA form. There are three ways to apply for the scholarship.

• Online- Visit the official website of FAFSA and then click on apply online.
• Offline- Download FAFSA Application form. Print out FAFSA PDF and mail the same for further processing.
• Request print out- You can call the at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 334-523-2691 (TTY for the deaf or hard of hearing 1-800-730-8913) for a printout of FAFSA PDF, fill out the form and mail it for further processing.

Filling out the FAFSA form

Filling out the application form is a simple and easy process. The application consists of various questions to determine whether you are a dependent or independent student for applying for federal student aid.

In case you are a dependent student, you will have to provide your parents information along you’re your own information.

Further, the FAFSA Application form will require you to fill out information such as:

• Your Social Security number
• Your parents’ Social Security numbers if you are a dependent student
• Your driver’s license number if you have one
• Your Alien Registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen and more

Creating an FSA ID

Create an FSA ID, username and password that will further help you when you fill the application form online.

One can get their FSA ID while completing their FSA form, however, starting the form with your FSA ID will lessen the chances of errors as most of the information will automatically be filled in by logging in through the FSA username and password.

While creating your FSA ID, carefully enter your name and Social Security number. Make sure that they are exactly as they appear on your Social Security card.

Scholarships for International Students by their Respected Governments

Scholarships for Indian students from Government of India

National Overseas Scholarship

Scholarships for Chinese Students from Government of China

China Scholarship Council (CSC) runs a Joint Scholarship Program in partnership with various universities in Canada. University of Calgary, McGill University are few of the partners of

Scholarships for students from Saudi Arab

The King Abdullah Scholarship Program

Scholarships for South Korean students from the Government of South Korea

GKS Study Abroad Scholarship Program

Scholarships by Canadian Universities

University of Alberta

Scholarships for students from China

May Quon Undergraduate Scholarship

University of Alberta China BC Curriculum School Excellence Scholarship

University of Alberta China First Year Excellence Scholarship

Scholarships for students from India

University of Alberta – India First Year Excellence Scholarship

University of Alberta India Centenary Scholarship

Scholarships for students from USA

University of Alberta- USA Centenary Scholarship

University of Alberta – USA First Year Excellence Scholarship

Humber International Entrance Scholarships

York University International Student Scholarships

Carleton University Scholarships for American and International Students

Domestic Entrance Scholarships

Teaching Assistantship

Research Assistantship

Merit Scholarship

Donor- Funded Awards

University of Toronto

Admission Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

Faculty of Engineering Admission Scholarships

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program

U of T Engineering International Scholar Award

Admission Scholarships for Graduate Students

Edwin S.H. Leong Scholarship

University of British Columbia

International Major Entrance Scholarship

Outstanding International Student Award

International Leader of Tomorrow Award

Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award

Dalhousie University

General Entrance Award program for Prospective undergraduate students

In-course scholarship for current students

Aramark Leadership Awards for current students

W. Andrew MacKay Alumni Scholarships for current students

McGill University

Entrance Scholarships for Future Undergraduates

One Year Scholarships

Major Scholarships

University of Waterloo

President’s Scholarship of Distinction

President’s Scholarship

HeforShe Impact Scholarship

Entrance scholarships sponsored by alumni and donors

International Student Entrance Scholarships

Simon Fraser University

Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarships

H.Y. Louie and Lohn Entrance Award

Llyod Carr- Harris Entrance Scholarship

Ontario University

Ontario Trillium Scholarships Program

Scholarships from External/ Private Agencies

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship

Margaret McNamara Educational Grants/ Scholarship for Women from Developing Countries