Canada’s varied culture and excellent educational system attract thousands of students who wish to study there each year. Nonetheless, many people may be discouraged from following their aspirations due to the high cost of living and tuition. Getting a scholarship can greatly reduce your financial load if you intend to study in Canada. With the help of scholarships, your study expenses in Canada might be lowered by around CAD 5,000 (INR 310,270) to CAD 10,000 (INR 620,540) for international students.

Why Study in Canada? 

Canada is well known for its top-notch educational system, diverse population, and active student body. International students choose to study in Canada because of its many programs and research possibilities offered by its institutions and colleges. Even with the benefits, studying in Canada can be expensive. Scholarships are a great method to lower the cost of and increase access to education.

Types of Scholarships for International Students in Canada

Government-funded Scholarships: The Canadian government offers these scholarships in order to assist international students. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship and the Canada Graduate Scholarship are two examples.

Non-Government Scholarships: International students can apply for scholarships from a number of foundations, firms, and organizations. The Trudeau Foundation Scholarships and the Anne Vallee Ecological Fund are two examples.

University-specific Scholarships: Several Canadian colleges provide their own scholarships in an effort to draw in and assist foreign students. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships at the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia’s International Leader of Tomorrow Award are two examples.

Canada’s Top Government Scholarships 

The Canadian government provides a range of international scholarship programs aimed at lowering the cost of education for foreign students studying in Canada. With the help of these scholarships, you can keep a decent lifestyle while you study, manage your finances, and lessen the need for student loans. To further smooth the transfer and support your life in Canada, these programs frequently include resources for travel and other sorts of assistance. By utilizing these chances, you’ll be able to put less emphasis on money issues and more on your studies.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

  • Awarded to both national and international postgraduates to attract top-tier intellectual talents.
  • Recipients receive CAD 70,000 (INR 4,343,760) annually for 2 years.

IDRC Research Awards

  • Open to students from developing countries.
  • A stipend is provided throughout the duration of the course.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program

  • Offered to students pursuing master’s degrees in Science, Engineering, Humanities, and more.
  • Provides CAD 50,000 (INR 3,102,690) annually for three years.

Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute

  • Fellowships available for graduate and postgraduate Indian students at reputed universities.
  • Eligible students can enroll in courses or complete part of their studies at any Canadian university affiliated with SICI.

Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

  • Available to students from Commonwealth nations, offering various grants annually.
  • The benefits of this scholarship vary each year.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program

  • Grants provided to students enrolled in Ontario public universities.
  • Scholarships range from CAD 5,000 (INR 310,270) to CAD 15,000 (INR 930,810).

Ontario Trillium Scholarship

  • Awarded to international PhD students.
  • Provides up to CAD 40,000 (INR 2,482,150) over 4 years.

Canada-ASEAN SEED

  • Administered by Global Affairs Canada for students pursuing higher studies.
  • Covers visa/study/work permit fees, airfare, health insurance, living expenses, ground transportation, books, and supplies.

Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship 

  • Offers financial assistance to students studying in Quebec (currently paused).
  • Grants up to CAD 40,000 (INR 2,482,150).

National Research Council of Canada (NRCC)

  • Provides research grants to students pursuing master’s or PhD degrees.
  • The amount and duration of the grants depend on the level of study.

While studying in Canada, these scholarship programs assist overseas students in managing their money, lowering their dependency on student loans, and maintaining a respectable standard of living. Additionally, they frequently cover living and travel expenses, which helps students concentrate on their studies.

Canada’s Non-Government Scholarships 

In Canada, non-governmental scholarships are given out by powerful people or non-profit groups to entice overseas students to pursue higher education. These scholarships offer chances for academic achievement as well as financial support. The following are some of the best scholarships that are offered for study in Canada:

Anne Vallee Ecological Fund 

  • The Anne Vallée Ecological Fund (AVEF) provides two scholarships worth CAD 1,500 (INR 93,080) each.
  • These scholarships support students engaged in animal research at the master’s or doctoral level at universities in Québec or British Columbia.

Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship 

  • Offers a prize of CAD 2,000 (INR 124,110) to undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a Canadian university.
  • Applicants must submit an essay to be considered for this scholarship.

Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships

  • Provides 15 international scholarships for doctoral-level students.
  • Each scholarship ranges from CAD 20,000 (INR 1,241,070) to CAD 40,000 (INR 2,482,150) per year for three years, including a travel allowance.

These non-government scholarships provide significant financial aid to enable overseas students studying in Canada. They cover a range of costs and present chances for both professional and academic development.

University scholarships in Canada

Canadian colleges give excellent international students scholarships to study in Canada. With a primary focus on merit, these scholarships hope to draw exceptional students from all across the world. If you’re a strong student, you might want to apply for the following scholarships:

University of Toronto Ontario Graduate Scholarship 

  • Offers CAD 10,000 (INR 620,540) to CAD 15,000 (INR 930,810) annually.
  • Available for doctoral and master’s level students at the University of Toronto.

University of Waterloo International Funding 

  • Provides scholarships ranging from CAD 2,500 (INR 155,130) to CAD 50,000 (INR 3,102,690) per year.
  • Open to international students studying at the University of Waterloo.

Calgary University International Scholarships

  • Offers scholarships ranging from CAD 500 (INR 31,020) to CAD 60,000 (INR 3,723,230).
  • Available for international students pursuing studies at the University of Calgary.

Alberta University International Scholarships

  • Provides several scholarship opportunities for international graduate and postgraduate students.
  • Aimed at supporting academic excellence at the University of Alberta.

UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award

  • Offers scholarships ranging from CAD 1,500 (INR 93,080) to CAD 50,000 (INR 3,102,690).
  • Available for international students studying at the University of British Columbia.

Queen’s University International Scholarships

  • Provides financial aid options, including bank loans, to international students at Queen’s University.

McGill University Scholarships and Student Aid 

  • Offers scholarships ranging from CAD 3,000 (INR 186,160) to CAD 12,000 (INR 744,640) annually.
  • Available to students enrolled at McGill University.

Dalhousie University Scholarships

  • Merit-based scholarships awarded to students at Dalhousie University.

Western University Scholarship

  • Provides scholarships based on academic excellence.

These awards, which span a range of academic fields and study levels, are intended to draw in the best international talent and assist students seeking postsecondary education in Canada.

Ways to Apply for Scholarships in Canada 

  • Research: Begin by researching the various scholarships available for international students in Canada. Look for scholarships that match your academic achievements, field of study, and personal background.
  • Prepare Your Documents: Gather all necessary documents, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and proof of English or French language proficiency.
  • Meet the Deadlines: Ensure you are aware of the application deadlines for each scholarship. Late applications are usually not considered.
  • Apply: Submit your application before the deadline, ensuring all required documents are included and properly formatted.

Conclusion 

International students can choose from a wide range of outstanding scholarships offered by Canada, including the Trudeau Scholarships and university-specific honors like the UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award. In addition to offering financial assistance, these scholarships identify and draw outstanding talent, creating a lively learning atmosphere that encourages students from all over the world to pursue their academic goals in Canada.