Scholarships in Canada: Eligibility, Amount & Expenses Covered

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Mar 4, 2024 | 7 min read

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International students looking for scholarships in Canada can check the eligibility criteria and expenses covered along with fully-funded scholarships in Canada

Scholarships in Canada: Eligibility, Amount & Expenses Covered

International students in need of financial assistance can avail themselves of scholarships in Canada to pursue their higher studies. Most of the scholarships in Canada for international students in 2022 are government-sponsored, and some are offered by private as well as public institutions. The Canadian university scholarships are offered to deserving international students pursuing various undergraduate and graduate courses at the respective university.

One of the main concerns of international students is the high cost of attending Canadian colleges and universities. The cost of attendance depends on factors such as the location of the university, course type, course duration, housing type, etc. Several scholarship options are available for students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and PhD courses in Canada. These scholarships to study in Canada cover the tuition fees, flight costs, accommodation charges, etc of the meritorious international students.

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Top Scholarships for International Students in Canada

Several scholarships are available for international students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Some of the popular scholarships in Canada include:

Canadian scholarships are non-repayable financial awards offered to students based on their exceptional academic performance. There are scholarships granted by the Canadian government, non-governmental scholarships, and university-specific scholarships. International students in Canada are eligible for both merit-based and need-based scholarships that are either fully-funded or partially-funded.

Ontario Graduate Scholarships

Ontario's government and universities collaborate together to award Ontario Graduate Scholarships to outstanding students who are enrolled in graduate courses and wish to pursue Masters or Doctoral level studies. The scholarship is worth 15,000 CAD, and a total of 22 merit-based scholarships are offered to students. 

An international student applying for an Ontario Graduate Scholarship must have a valid study permit and a minimum of 80% marks (or A-average) in both years of full-time study before the scholarship will be awarded. This scholarship can be availed by Master's degree students for up to 2 years and by doctoral degree students for up to 4 years.

University of Alberta International Scholarships

Students enrolled in UG or PG programs at the University of Alberta can apply for these scholarships. Awarded on a merit and financial need basis, the international entrance leadership scholarship is worth 5,000 CAD. International students must have secured 80% marks in their UG degree to receive this scholarship.

Another scholarship under the University of Alberta is the international student scholarship, which is worth 9,000 CAD. Applicants must possess leadership qualities and excellent academic credentials to receive this scholarship.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

This scholarship is provided to students pursuing doctoral degrees or joint graduate research programs. The scholarship value is $50,000 per year for three years. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship Program selects scholarship recipients based on their academic achievements, leadership potential, and research potential. More than 20 Canadian universities participate in this scholarship program.

Carleton Prestige Scholarships

This scholarship is awarded to students entering Carleton University directly from high school with an admission average of 90% or higher. The scholarship value is up to $30,000 for the duration of the program and is renewable.

Carleton University also offers Carleton capital scholarships to 13 students every year. The amount received by students through this scholarship is $2,000 in the first year. Students must have an admission average of 90% and involvement in extracurricular activities to get selected for this award.

University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (UMGF)

This scholarship is awarded to graduate and research students. The value of the UMGF Master’s award is $28,000, and the amount of the University of Manitoba doctoral award is $72,000.

To be considered for this fellowship, applicants must have an admission GPA of at least 3.0. However, the GPA requirement can vary from one department to another. Hence, students must contact their respective departments for further information.

Canada Graduate Scholarships - Master’s Program

This master’s scholarship in Canada is awarded to meritorious students to help them develop research skills and assist in the training. It is a non-renewable scholarship, and the scholarship value is $17,500 for 12 months.

Candidates pursuing a master's or doctoral program are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Additionally, they must have great academic records. A total of 3,000 such scholarships are awarded every year.

NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship

This Ph.D. scholarship in Canada is provided to international students pursuing a doctoral degree in natural sciences or engineering. The scholarship amount is $21,000 per year for three years.

By receiving this support, doctoral students can concentrate on their studies and find the right mentors for their field. NSERC also welcomes applications from indigenous students who meet the requirements of the program.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

This PhD scholarship in Canada is awarded to outstanding doctoral candidates enrolled in a social sciences or humanities program at Canadian institutes. The value of this scholarship is $40,000, which covers tuition fees and living expenses. Approximately 20 scholarships are available every year.

Under, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships a three-year leadership is provided to train meritorious doctoral students in their research skills.

Calgary International Entrance Scholarships

This scholarship is awarded to academically outstanding international students enrolled in undergraduate studies at the University of Calgary. The scholarship is valued at $15,000 for the duration of the undergraduate course.

These are renewable scholarships provided to applicants who score a GPA of 2.6 or more over a minimum of 24 units in the previous academic years. A total of two such scholarships are offered each year.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

This fellowship is awarded to deserving postdoctoral students who can contribute to the country's economic, social, and research-based growth. The fellowship values at $70,000 per year for 2 years.

Foreign students who obtained a Ph.D. degree from a Canadian university are eligible to apply for this fully-funded Ph.D. scholarship. Both international and domestic students are awarded about 70 fellowships each year.

Eligibility Criteria for Applying to Scholarships in Canada

International students studying in Canada are eligible for both need-based and merit-based scholarships for study. The main criterion for applying to most of the Canada scholarships 2022 is a good academic record. It also depends on the subject and the level of education. International students are required to be on a valid study permit to avail of a scholarship. Most of the scholarships in Canada are merit-based, but some scholarships are also provided based on extracurricular activities and volunteer work. The eligibility criteria and closing dates vary for different scholarships in Canada. The general criteria for most scholarships are listed below:

  • Good academic record
  • Extracurricular activities and volunteering
  • Valid study permit
  • Leadership skills
  • Proof of enrollment at a Canadian post-secondary educational institution

Expenses Covered by the Scholarships in Canada

The cost of living in a foreign country is high, in addition to the tuition fees and personal expenses. Both need-based and merit-based scholarships are available for international students pursuing higher education in Canada. A full scholarship in Canada covers the entire tuition fees in addition to the living expenses of the student. Fully funded scholarships in Canada will cover tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support in addition to the 2-way flight charges of international students. The basic expenses covered by most of the scholarship in Canada 2022 are:

  • Tuition Fees
  • Full/ Part of living expenses every month
  • Economy class flight ticket charges (to and from home country)
  • Cost of books
  • Incidental expenses
  • Accommodation charges

Fully-Funded Scholarships in Canada

Canada also offers fully-funded scholarships to exceptionally outstanding students. These scholarships cover the complete tuition fees and also provide other benefits. Some of the fully-funded scholarships in Canada are listed below: 

  • University Canada West Scholarship 2022
  • Biggest Scholarships in Canada
  • Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program
  • Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program
  • Organization of American States (OAS) Academic Scholarship Program
  • Anne Vallee Ecological Fund
  • Canada Memorial Scholarship
  • Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship
  • Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships

Read More: Fully-Funded Scholarships in Canada

Scholarships in Canada for Pursuing MBA

Students who will be pursuing an MBA program in Canada can avail themselves of various scholarships. Some of the popular MBA scholarships in Canada are listed as follows:

  • Haskayne School of Business Scholarships
  • Ivey MBA Scholarships 
  • Alberta MBA Scholarships
  • Sauder School of Business Scholarship
  • Rotman School of Management Scholarships
  • Schulich School of Business Scholarships
  • Entrance Scholarships
  • Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program 
  • Scotiabank Scholarships in International Business
  • Robert Krembil Scholarship of Merit
  • Tanna H. Schulich MBA Entrance Scholarship
  • Seymour Schulich MBA Entrance Scholarship
  • Forte Fellows Program 

Cheapest Universities in Canada

In addition to applying for scholarships, international students can reduce their financial burden by attending affordable universities in Canada. Following are some of the low-cost universities in Canada:

  • Brandon University
  • University of Guelph
  • Memorial University of Newfoundland
  • Canadian Mennonite University
  • University of St. Boniface
  • McGill University
  • Humber College
  • University of Calgary
  • University of Northern British Columbia
  • Centennial College

Read More: Cheapest Universities in Canada

Conclusion

Canada has limited scholarship options as compared to other top countries such as the UK, US, and Australia for international students from different parts of the world. The reason for this being the affordable education offered in Canadian universities. International students can afford the low tuition costs and also the low living costs in Canada. Scholarships in Canada are available for academically strong international students. Some scholarships are also provided based on extracurricular activities and volunteer work. International students are therefore advised to apply for multiple scholarships at a time as that increases the chances of availing of a scholarship for pursuing their studies.

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