Canada is a great country to study in, but it comes with a cost. Data show that international student’s tuition fees in Canada range from $20,000 to $50,000, making it imperative that a student get scholarships to support their studies – unless the student is from a wealthy home.
Most scholarships are academic/merit-based, need-based, or sometimes dependent on a student’s field of study. And while some cover tuition only, there are financial aids that cover medical insurance, accommodation, and textbooks, among others. This article will explore how to get scholarships in Canada for international students.
What is a scholarship?
A scholarship is a sum of the money availed to students to support their education. Besides, scholarship is the most sought-after financial aid by domestic and international students. Unlike grants, scholarships do not require expressing your need for financial aid.
In Canada, scholarships are awarded to domestic (Canadian) and international students based on merit, academic qualification, the student demographics, among other measures.
After meeting the conditions and obligations of a scholarship, the awarding committee often applies the scholarship to your student account with the university or college.
Eligibility to apply for a scholarship in Canada
Virtually all universities and colleges in Canada allow domestic and international students to apply for scholarships. Moreover, applying for and getting a scholarship in Canada is easy. Awardees of scholarships are commonly decided upon based on merit.
In addition, merit-based scholarships mandate that you have a higher entrance average, specific skills, qualifications, etc.
The minimum entrance average to get a scholarship in several universities and colleges in Canada ranges from 75% to 100%. Hence, students with lower entrance averages may not be considered or are awarded a lower scholarship than those with higher entrance averages.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to dedicate a little effort to benefit from one of many Canadian scholarships.
Schools that offer scholarships in Canada
Many universities and colleges in Canada make provisions for financial aid, including scholarships for international students. Below is a list of some universities and colleges in Canada that avails scholarships to international students.
20 Scholarships for International students in Canada
Depending on your educational institution, you may qualify for one of the following scholarships for international students.
Ayn Rand Scholarship
BC Excellence Scholarships
Irving K Barber Transfer Scholarship
Weatherby Entrance Scholarship
Black Foundation of Community Networks Scholarships
CNC Executive Study Abroad Scholarship
Irving K. Barber One World International Scholarship
UWinnipeg’s Special Entrance Scholarships
Salem Abd-El-Aziz International Student Scholarship in Chemistry
Anne Gorveatte Memorial Scholarship
RUC Natural Sciences & Mathematics Scholarship
St Stephen’s University Entrance Scholarship
RUC Natural Sciences & Mathematics Scholarship
Wolters Worldview Scholarship
Gregory Michael Beaudoin Memorial Scholarship
SSU Servant Leadership Scholarship
John Walker Memorial Scholarship
Sunlight Foundation Music Scholarship
Kingswood Board of Trustees (BOT) Scholarship
Lakehead University graduate scholarships, among others.
How to get scholarships for international students in Canada
We found out that international students usually ask how to get a scholarship in Canada. Therefore, we decided to provide some information to help you secure a scholarship as an international student in Canada.
It is not new that post-secondary institutions in Canada charge international students more money for their studies. However, you cannot escape paying these fees as long as you are an international student in Canada.
When you are considered for a scholarship for international students in Canada, you can save funds to some extent or 100% via fully funded scholarships. Some international student scholarships require you to apply and fulfill specific obligations like providing a recommendation letter, composing an essay, etc. That said, entrance scholarships for international students do not usually require an application.
International students often need to meet a specified entrance/admissions average and generally have superb academic achievement.
How to increase your chances of getting a scholarship
Consider only Canadian colleges and universities that offer scholarships
Search for the scholarship that most suits your financial need
Prepare certain documents often required to apply for a scholarship in Canada
Apply for an eligible scholarship(s)
#1 Consider only Canadian colleges and universities that offer scholarships
As stated earlier, not all Canadian universities and colleges have scholarships for international students.
Thus, you need to check the university or college’s official website for the right information on the availability of international students scholarships.
You must complete all scholarship application procedures before their due dates.
Failure to submit your scholarship application form before the deadline can make you lose the opportunity, which requires you to reapply.
#2 Search for the scholarship that most suits your financial need
At this stage, you must browse the available scholarships on the university or college’s official website. Then, check for the scholarship amount that perfectly fits your financial need.
Also, it would be best if you worked towards meeting the minimum conditions and criteria of the scholarship.
On the website of many universities and colleges in Canada, you can navigate directly from the website’s homepage to the education institution’s financial aid webpage.
The financial aid webpage shows the list, sponsors, application requirements, procedures, and deadlines of each scholarship.
However, you only need an internet-enabled computer or mobile phone to access information on the scholarship and complete all processes.
#3 Prepare certain documents often required to apply for a scholarship in Canada
Canadian colleges and universities sometimes require their scholarship applicants to provide certain documents and credentials. You may also be requested to express yourself, your vision, etc., in an essay. Generally, here are the credentials and documents often required while applying to get a scholarship in Canada:
The scholarship application form has been filled out correctly and completely.
Scanned copy of your passport’s data page. Your passport must be valid.
Previous education certificates and transcripts of study.
Result of a valid English language proficiency test such as Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE), and so on.
Essays. You may need to compose a concise essay on a topic, which will be provided to you by the awarding committee.
Letter(s) of recommendation from specific individuals like academicians, pastors, etc.
Personal statement.
Birth certificate, among others.
You will need to send the above documents and credentials to a specific email as provided by the post-secondary institution or awarding body. They mostly need to be sent electronically in PDF or doc format.
#4 Apply for an eligible scholarship(s)
You need to visit the awarding body, university, or college’s official website to get the direct link to apply for the scholarship. Similarly, you need to enquire if the post-secondary institution will allow you to apply for more than one scholarship. Finally, in rare cases, you may need to fill out an online or offline scholarship application form to express your interest in scholarships that require an application.
Conclusively, following the simple steps for getting a scholarship for international students in Canada can make you worthy of being an awardee. Furthermore, this will enable you to receive education funds at ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What average do you need to get a scholarship in Canada?
Depending on your university or college, your entrance average (%) must be at least 75% or 85% to qualify for a scholarship.
Is it easy to get a scholarship in Canada?
Yes, getting a scholarship in Canada is pretty easy if you can work towards satisfying the criterion before the stipulated due date.
How much do I need to pay to get a scholarship in Canada?
Scholarship applications in Canada are free. Thus, you aren’t required to pay any money to get a scholarship in Canada.
How do I apply for a scholarship in Canada?
Scholarships in Canada require you to apply online via the awarding body or the post-secondary institution’s official website.
What type of students are awarded scholarships in Canada?
Generally, scholarships are available to all international students regardless of their country of origin.
How much is a scholarship in Canada?
It varies on the amount provided by the sponsor or post-secondary institution to support education.
5 comments
I would love to study in Canada if I am given the opportunity to qualify for a scholarly funded admission into any of listed schools.
How I wish to be chosen one day
Ohhhhh
I would really love to be opportune to have this