Many students dream of a chance to study abroad. Even if their native countries offer great opportunities, few of them can compare to the ones offered by top educational institutions in the world. Canada is a country known for its excellent education system, that is why many young people hope to get their undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. degrees there. But of course, it can be tough as education is expensive, especially if one comes from a country where the dollar costs a lot.
That’s why fully funded scholarships for international students in Canada are actively explored. It is financial help with studies that can defer lots of costs, and it’s crucial for international students, particularly those from developing countries, as many of them simply cannot afford to attend their chosen uni without aid. In this article, learn everything you will need to apply for such grants to make your dream education closer!
Getting a Scholarship in Canada: How to Start?
Every student who wants to be studying abroad is bound to ask themselves, “How to get a scholarship in Canada?” Clearly, there are millions of native Canadians who also want to apply to the university, and scholarship funding for international students is limited. It doesn’t mean that chances are small, though. If you have valuable information and choose smartly, chances are, you’ll get a Canadian scholarship.
- Do research on universities that offer Canadian scholarships for international students. If international students want to get financial aid, it’s best to make sure that they are personally interested in the uni they are applying in. Higher education is worth little if one hates their specialty, so don’t pick all places at once no matter what’s being taught there. Pick something that suits you and where you could be a truly great fit.
- Contact your chosen uni to get evaluation criteria. Sure, many universities present such information on their sites and it’s also possible to find it on other platforms, but better be safe than sorry. Make a personal inquiry, be polite and succinct, and find out about funding opportunities personally so you could ensure that they’re 100% accurate and current.
- Ask about the application process. Every Canadian educational establishment is likely to follow an individual set of rules. Do you have to write an essay or pass the exam to qualify? The earlier you get an answer, the more time there’s to prepare.
- Clarify all available additional opportunities. If you can’t be fully funded, what are other options? Are there any other chances to get another grant?
Knowledge is ultimate power, so if you have it, you’re already one step closer to victory.
Types of International Scholarships in Canada
There are many scholarships in Canada for international students. Let’s view their types so you could figure out which one suits you most.
- Academic merit scholarship. This financial help is given to students, both undergraduate and graduate levels, who stand out through their academic excellence. Compare results with other students by checking the university’s past rates. If you’re in top 10% or 15%, your chances are good. This international scholarship tends to cover the price for your education partly or wholly up until you get your degree, so clarify everything and learn if you’ll be fully funded.
- Entrance scholarship. This aid comprises non-repayable financial awards provided to students who have something of the following: an impressive record of academic achievements and high exam scores, some outstanding leadership experience, published research works, and/or a considerable involvement in relevant extracurricular activities. Some are renewable and some are given once only; some are solely for Canadians but another type is for international students as well, so check a proposition your particular uni has made to avoid misunderstandings.
- Automatic consideration scholarships. This’s a great aid type as you don’t have to apply for it. As soon as your admission is received, you’ll be automatically considered for it based on how strong your application is.
- College and University Bursaries. Financial aid such as bursaries is for those whose life circumstances are tough. It can be anything, including the relatives’ death, underprivileged life conditions, and war experience. The problem is, in Canada, such non-repayable financial awards are not always available for international students, so even if you’re technically eligible, be attentive and check whether your educational establishment provides you with such an option.
Who Provides Scholarship for International Students in Canada?
Non-repayable financial awards are provided by a variety of organizations, and if you know about them, determining options will be much easier.
- First, there are Canadian government scholarships that are given to young non-Canadian scholars. Check the Government of Canada International Scholarships Program to see all details of what’s available.
- Provincial governments also participate in administering educational financial awards. For example, check Quebec government grants — they are provided for a specific range of areas and you might qualify for some of them.
- Not-for-profit organizations are another option you could pick if you want to study in Canada. Look at the International Council for Canadian Studies scholarships — you could be eligible for some.
- Private foundations scholarships are also an option. They tend to be very specific and support a specialized area of studies, so search for your options depending on what you’re interested in. Private sponsors are impressed with achievements in a study area they’re actively supporting, and if you have anything to show, looking for your organization is always worth a try.
You can order scholarship essay writing service at our platform.
Top 10 Universities with Best Scholarships for Foreign Students in Canada
Every student hopes for some international grants, but in the end, only a limited number of people get them. To increase your chances, you have to know for sure what you’d like to study. Let’s review the top ten Canadian universities with scholarships for students from abroad.
- University of Toronto. It offers a great Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program for students from abroad who hope to enter university in the upcoming year. This admission scholarship program covers diverse subjects, which is a bonus, and whether you get a grant depends on your academic excellence and leadership experience. Evaluation criteria include being non-Canadian, having a creative and original kind of thinking, being determined and committed to your studies, and characterized as a high achiever. You also have to be completing your final year of secondary school as of now. The only other option is if you have graduated after June 2018. As for timeline, deadline for 2019-2020 period is January 15, 2019. Similar dates will function in the next academic period, so be ready!
- University of Columbia. Scholarship for international students in Canada offered by this establishment is based on academic excellence and extracurricular involvement. In particular, there are International Major Entrance Scholarship and Outstanding International Student Award, and you’ll be eligible if you are completing your school studies at the moment and show great academic promise. It’s renewable during the course of your studies. January 15, 2019 is the deadline, so if you’re considering to enroll next year, pay attention to this date.
- University of Waterloo offers a variety of entrance scholarships for international students in Canada. Your application must score no less than 90% of the admission average, meaning that academic excellence is a must. Deadline is March 29, 2019, so if you’re in your last school year and are considering Canadian education only, apply now.
- University of Western Ontario also offers a range of options for international students in Canada. Eligibility depends on your admission average and school diploma. Deadline is March 15, 2019, so either apply now if you’re finishing high school or do that next year if you complete your secondary education then.
- University of Calgary is another option for non-Canadian undergraduate students, though the number of its awards is limited. If you excel in your academic studies, you have a chance to get it. Regular application deadline is March 1, so keep it in mind if you’re finishing your school soon.
- McGill University offers help for different kind of international undergraduates. The amount of grant is rather modest, though, so you won’t be fully funded. If you show great academic results and can pay the major part for your education yourself, this’s a good option. Deadline is usually January 21, so watch out for it.
- University of Montreal is an excellent choice that provides funding for international students in Canada. There’s an Exemption from Differential Tuition Fees award and other study aboad grants types, so if you have an impressive academic record, which is obligatory here, check all available options. Deadline depends on the form of grant.
- McMaster University offers two major types of non-repayable financial awards. It’s a highly respected educational establishment but eligibility criteria are severe. One of the awards is McMaster Honour Awards and it’s only for undergraduates who studied in Canadian school for at least a year. Hatch Scholarship is for many types of students, including international ones, but you must apply only for Bachelor of Technology, Computer Science, or Engineering degrees here and your admission rate has to be no less than 94%. March 29, 2019 is deadline for the former and April 1 is end-date for the latter.
- University of Manitoba in Canada is a fantastic option with some of the best grants for international students. They are provided to various kinds of students, including undergraduate and graduate ones. Two kinds of entrance grants in addition to a special bursary program mean that you have high chances to succeed. Eligibility criteria are not strict — admission rate should be no less than 85%. The problem is, the amount of the scholarship is low, so you definitely won’t be funded fully. This option is for those who require only some financial assistance and can pay the major part of the tuition themselves. Deadline is March 1, 2019.
- Carleton University also offers good options for international students who want to study in Canada. In particular, you can apply for its renewable entrance international grant, and the criteria of eligibility aren’t strict. Your average admission rate should be starting with 80%, which is very generous in comparison to the majority of other universities. Again, you wouldn’t be fully funded, but the amount they provide is quite good, with up to $4,000 paid yearly. The deadline is March 1, 2019, so keep this date in mind in the future if you’re planning to apply.
Canadian EduBirdie will be happy to help you with college admission essay writing.
As you can see, there are plenty of funding for international students in Canada to choose from. Be careful and attentive when searching for information; research meticulously and pay particular attention to deadlines. It’s true that few places offer full funding, but you can still find significant financial help if your application is accepted. So choose the university that would suit you most and enjoy your life in a new country!
