Scholarships in Canada

Studying in Canada with a scholarship

Canada attracts students from around the world, but studying there can be expensive for international students. A scholarship can reduce those costs, although applicants should look carefully at exactly what an award covers.

Some scholarships provide full or substantial funding, while others cover only part of the tuition fee or provide a one-time award. Canadian universities also offer entrance scholarships, merit awards, graduate assistantships and research funding alongside government-supported programmes. EduCanada, the Government of Canada’s official international education website, maintains a scholarship search service for international applicants.

One important point is that there is no single application system for all scholarships in Canada. Some awards require the student to apply directly. Others require a university nomination, and certain government exchange programmes are submitted by the Canadian institution on behalf of the student.

For this reason, applicants should read the official instructions for each opportunity rather than assuming that every Canadian scholarship follows the same process.

Understanding the cost of studying in Canada

Tuition varies considerably by university, programme and study level.

According to the Government of Canada’s EduCanada service, average university tuition for international students is currently around CAD 41,746 per year for undergraduate study and CAD 24,028 per year for graduate study. These are national averages, not fixed fees. Individual programmes may cost considerably more or less.

College and vocational diploma programmes can also vary widely in price. EduCanada currently gives an approximate range of CAD 16,000 to CAD 25,000 per year for many international college diploma programmes.

Applicants should therefore check the actual tuition published by their chosen institution rather than relying only on national averages.

A scholarship advertised as worth CAD 10,000, for example, could be very helpful but may still leave a significant tuition and living-cost balance.

Scholarships and university funding

Scholarship opportunities in Canada can come from several sources:

• Government of Canada programmes
• provincial or territorial programmes
• individual universities
• research councils and institutions
• foundations and external organisations
• graduate research or teaching funding

Government programmes can also be very specific. For example, the Study in Canada Scholarships programme supports eligible international students undertaking short-term study or research in Canada through institutional partnerships. In that programme, the Canadian institution submits the application rather than the student applying directly to the government.

This is why students should check whether a scholarship is intended for a full degree, a research visit, an exchange semester or another type of programme before preparing an application.

Many universities also manage their own awards. Some automatically consider applicants when they apply for admission, while others require a separate scholarship application.

Admission comes first for many opportunities

Being eligible for a scholarship does not necessarily mean that you are eligible for admission to the university.

Canadian colleges and universities establish their own admission requirements. These can include previous academic qualifications, minimum grades, prerequisite subjects and proof of English or French proficiency.

Applicants should first check:

1. whether their previous qualification is accepted
2. whether they meet the academic requirements for the programme
3. whether an English or French language test is required
4. whether they must obtain admission before applying for the scholarship
5. whether the scholarship has separate eligibility criteria

Language requirements are not identical across Canadian institutions. A university may accept IELTS, TOEFL or another recognised test, but minimum scores depend on the programme and institution.

Do not assume that a language score accepted by one university will automatically be accepted by another.

Study permits and proof of funds

Receiving university admission is separate from receiving permission to study in Canada.

Most international students need a Canadian study permit and must normally study at a Designated Learning Institution, commonly called a DLI. The study permit application requires a letter of acceptance from the institution. Most post-secondary applicants also need a Provincial Attestation Letter or Territorial Attestation Letter unless they fall within an exemption. Students studying in Quebec generally follow the Quebec Acceptance Certificate process.

Financial preparation is particularly important.

For study permit applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, a single applicant studying outside Quebec must currently demonstrate CAD 23,448 for one year of living expenses, excluding tuition and transportation. Applicants bringing family members need to demonstrate higher amounts.

This figure can change, so students should always check Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before submitting their visa documents.

A scholarship can be used as part of the evidence of financial support. However, if the scholarship covers only tuition, the student must still demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses and transportation.

Do not rely on part-time work to fund the application

Students sometimes plan to pay for most of their education by working after arriving in Canada. This should not be the foundation of a financial plan.

Canada requires study permit applicants to demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources without relying on employment in Canada.

Working during study may provide additional income for eligible students, but it should be treated as supplementary income rather than guaranteed scholarship funding.

Before accepting an offer, calculate:

• tuition after scholarship deductions
• accommodation
• food
• transportation
• health insurance
• books and equipment
• immigration costs
• airfare
• emergency expenses

A large scholarship amount does not automatically mean that your total cost of attendance will be low.

Be careful when choosing a programme

Students who are also considering working in Canada after graduation should investigate their programme before paying a deposit.

Graduating from a Canadian institution does not automatically make every student eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Eligibility depends on factors including the institution, programme and current immigration rules. Some programmes are also subject to field-of-study requirements.

Immigration policies can change during a student’s studies. Applicants should therefore confirm current rules directly with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada rather than choosing a programme solely because an agent says it will lead to a work permit.

What to check before applying for a Canadian scholarship

Before spending time on an application, confirm:

• whether your nationality is eligible
• the required study level
• whether you need university admission first
• whether nomination by a university is required
• the minimum academic requirement
• accepted language tests and scores
• whether the scholarship covers tuition fully or partially
• whether living expenses are included
• whether health insurance or airfare is included
• whether the award is renewable
• whether a separate scholarship application is required
• the scholarship deadline and university admission deadline

Pay particular attention to the difference between admission deadlines and scholarship deadlines. A scholarship may close months before the university stops accepting regular applications.

Application advice

Start with the official scholarship or university page and make a checklist based on its actual requirements.

Give yourself enough time to collect transcripts, certificates and recommendation letters. Graduate applicants may also need a statement of purpose, research proposal, CV or communication with a prospective supervisor.

Your personal statement should explain why the programme makes sense for your academic background and future plans rather than relying on generic claims about wanting to study abroad.

If a scholarship asks about leadership, research, community involvement or professional experience, use specific examples from your own background.

Before submitting, check names, dates and academic information carefully. Scholarship committees may review thousands of applications, and incomplete documents can weaken an otherwise strong application.

Avoid scholarship and admission scams

Students should be cautious about anyone promising guaranteed admission, guaranteed scholarships or guaranteed Canadian visas.

Government scholarships and legitimate university awards have official eligibility rules and selection procedures. No third party can guarantee that an applicant will receive one.

EduCanada is the Government of Canada’s official source for international students and includes tools for finding recognised institutions, study programmes, costs and scholarship opportunities.

When The Scholarship Circle lists an opportunity, use the information as a starting point and complete the final verification on the scholarship provider’s official website.

Final advice

Canada can offer excellent opportunities for international students, but applicants should consider the full cost of study rather than looking only at the scholarship amount.

Compare several universities, read each scholarship’s conditions carefully and understand what expenses remain after the award. Once you identify an opportunity that matches your qualifications, follow the official application instructions and begin preparing your documents early.

The scholarship listings below provide current opportunities connected with Canada. Always confirm deadlines, award amounts and eligibility requirements with the institution or scholarship provider before applying.

Last reviewed: September 10, 2026