You know, a one-year education in Canada could be about the same cost, maybe even more, than a 5-year engineering degree in your home country. However, if you look into and apply for the scholarship in Canada for international students, bursaries, and grants available here, you probably could save a lot of money. So, I have decided to put together a list to help you, yes you, avoid paying a big amount for your education here. So, let’s jump right in and talk about the eight types of scholarships available in Canada.
Now, all the schools I’m going to talk about are designated learning institutions with PGWP-eligible programs. This means you don’t have to stress about the immigration aspect because you can apply for a study permit and have the opportunity to work in Canada after your graduation. I’ve also made sure that the scholarships I mention are accessible to a broad audience, so most of you should be able to apply.
Scholarship in Canada for International Students
Now, let’s look into the different scholarship types.
1. Merit Scholarships
This type of scholarship in Canada for international students is for foreign students with excellent academic achievements at their previous schools before applying to study in Canada. If your grades are impressive, this could be a great opportunity for you.
For example, the University of Toronto offers such an award to international students who not only have strong academic records but also show exceptional leadership skills. Each year, 37 students receive this merit-based scholarship, which can cover not just books, lodging, and incidental fees, but potentially the full tuition cost as well.
2. Financial or Need-Based Scholarships
Next up, we have financial or need-based scholarships. These scholarships, sometimes called bursaries, are for foreign students who come from low-income backgrounds. A lot of these awards are for Canadian residents, but there are some available for international students too. Take, for example, the University of British Columbia. They offer an award (which I won’t attempt to pronounce to avoid getting it wrong) to exceptional international undergraduate students from poor or conflict-ridden regions who have managed to excel academically despite facing hardships.
Your school might offer something similar, so it’s definitely worth checking with your school’s registrar or international student center to see if you qualify for any.
3. Entrance Scholarships
Let’s talk about the entrance scholarships. These are typically awarded to international students who are about to start their first year at a university or college. It’s easy to apply; you need to complete an application form from the school and include it in your school application package. For instance, Coast Mountain College in British Columbia gives out around 12 entrance awards worth $5,000 each to new international students starting in January 2023.
You need to meet the eligibility and application requirements, which involve making a video about how the scholarship will help you after you finish your program. You can find all the details on their website, and I’ve put a link in the description box below.
4. Program-Specific Scholarships
These are awarded to students who are part of specific programs or fields of study, like engineering, medicine, or social sciences. For example, Concordia University in Montreal offers various scholarships for undergraduates, including awards for exceptional students in any of their music programs. This university also provides scholarships for students interested in science, engineering, and technology.
Another case is Bow Valley College in Calgary, which offers scholarships to students in the Center for Entertainment Arts diploma programs, with amounts ranging from $3,000 to nearly $20,000. These scholarships are based on portfolio evaluations and are applied towards tuition in equal installments at the beginning of each program term.
5. Government Funded Scholarships
Typically, the Canadian institution receives funds from the government through a contribution agreement for all successful applicants. It’s then up to the institution to distribute these funds to the scholarship recipients. There are scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students, but be aware that some scholarships may have restrictions based on academic level, field of study, or country of origin.
I often advise students to use the Study in Canada website scholarship or the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program for information on how to apply and what the requirements are.
6. Scholarships Specific to Certain Countries or Nationalities
For instance, the University of British Columbia has teamed up with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to give full scholarships to students from sub-Saharan Africa. There’s also another scholarship aimed at students from ASEAN countries, which has a name that’s a bit of a mouthful, so I’ll skip over it. The value of scholarships can change depending on how long you’ll be studying and what level of study you’re at.
7. Website Scholarships
These are not your usual scholarships. Take the Student Life Network’s 99 scholarships as a prime example. They give you money based on what you love, not just your grades. They cover almost anything you can think of. Whether it’s your field of study like business, nursing, or journalism, hobbies you enjoy such as photography, movie-watching, gaming, or volunteering, or even other cool activities like traveling, pet care, or helping others. Each scholarship on this site is unique, but applying is always easy, so definitely give it a look.
8. Scholarships from Private Funding
This scholarship in Canada for international students for international students often gets their support from private organizations, companies, or individual donors. They tend to pay more attention to students from developing countries, minority groups, or those studying in certain research areas.
Let’s look at some examples of scholarships from non-government sources for international students in Canada. To start, there’s a scholarship for students engaged in animal research at the master’s or doctoral level at a recognized university in Quebec or British Columbia. Then, the University of Calgary offers the CIBC International Entrance Award, which is $10,000, provided by CIBC, a major bank in Canada.
Tips to Get a Scholarship in Canada
As we are coming to the end of this post, I want to share three tips for receiving a scholarship in Canada.
1. Be Organized
First up, be organized. Start by doing your homework since scholarships vary in what they’re looking for and how you apply. Once you have the details, set up a calendar with all the key dates and deadlines to make sure you apply without any stress. Try to submit your application a bit early. That way, if any issues pop up, you have time to sort them out.
Put a Bit of Yourself in Your Motivation Letter
Next, put a bit of yourself in your motivation letter. This letter sometimes called a personal statement, is a short piece where you talk about you. Be open about why you are applying and let your unique self shine through. This is super important, especially for scholarships with lots of international applicants.
Be an Involved Part of Your Community
Lastly, the third point is to be an involved part of your community and gather references. Look for individuals who can support you and your work by acting as your references.
These references should know what the scholarship asks for and be able to explain how you fulfill those criteria. If you consider assisting them, consider some bullet points with additional details to aid them in composing their letters.
Conclusion
Education in Canada isn’t inexpensive, but being aware of the scholarship in Canada for international students options can help reduce the expenses of your education.
Read Also:Â Canada Masters Scholarships for International Students
