Canada is a beautiful country in North America that ranks amongst the top countries to pursue higher education. The country offers an exciting student life and several spots students can explore. Receiving a degree from a renowned university in Canada has its share of perks; moving to a different country altogether is another milestone the student must overcome. However, regardless of all these challenges, one major challenge is arranging finances to pay these prestigious universities' fees. But what if we told you that some fully funded scholarships in Canada release your stress a little, as financial constraints won’t be a hurdle anymore? Let's dig in and know all the fully funded scholarships in Canada available for students.
Types of Scholarships in Canada for International Students
As we know, Canada is a great place for students to get the most acceptable education. One must also be aware of the tuition and cost of living from the beginning, so as a concern, below is a list of the various types of fully funded scholarships in Canada:
1. University Scholarships
2. Financial Scholarships
3. Government-funded scholarships
4. Merit Scholarships
5. Privately Funded Scholarships
Moving to a different country and pursuing an education is a dream for many of us, but not everybody can fulfill it. Studying in Canada can be a little expensive. However, some institutions offer fully funded scholarships in Canada, which cover your tuition fee and even more! If you are unsure about the hype behind scholarships, then this guide on what scholarships are will surely help you!
Which Are The Best Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada?
Now, let's get to the juicy part of this blog. We will cover various things about the best fully funded scholarships in Canada, including their eligibility and scholarship amount! Scholarships are just one of the many reasons to study in Canada; here are a few more top reasons to study in Canada. Without further ado, here are the best full ride scholarships Canada!
1. Ontario Graduate Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: CA$ 10,000 for two years of studies consecutively.
Eligibility Criteria: You need to:
1. Score a minimum of 80% in each of the last two full-time academic years.
Deadline for Applying: March 15, 2024 at 5 PM
Who is this for?: Postgraduate students
Ontario Graduate Scholarship was established in 1975 to encourage excellence in graduate studies at Ontario universities. OGS awards over 3,000 scholarships annually to students in all disciplines. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) is for students pursuing graduate studies at the master's and doctoral levels, and the financial coverage varies, typically CA$10,000 per scholarship, making it one of the best fully funded master's scholarships in Canada! Planning to do your Master’s in Canada? Well, go for it without wondering about the finances.
2. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: CA$ 50,000 per year for three years during your doctoral studies.
Eligibility Criteria: You need to:
1. Be nominated by only one university in Canada, which must have received a Vanier CGS quota
2. Be pursuing your first Doctoral degree.
Deadline for Applying: It would be near November 2024
Who is this for?: Postgraduate students
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) were launched in 2008 by the Government of Canada. The program is designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students to Canadian universities. This fully funded PhD in Canada is specifically for doctoral students pursuing studies in Canada. These government-sponsored full ride scholarships Canada cover up to CA$ 50,000 per year. This fully funded scholarship is a great option for those planning to accomplish their doctoral studies in Canada.
3. Pierre Eliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: CA$ 40,000 stipend and up to CA$ 20,000 for research and travel allowance per year for three years.
Eligibility Criteria: International students looking for doctoral degrees in Canada.
Deadline for Applying: Likely in December 2024
Who is this for?: Doctoral students
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship was established in 2001, one year after the death of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the 15th Prime Minister of Canada. The scholarship supports outstanding humanities and social sciences doctoral students committed to public policy and social issues. It is for MPhil/Ph.D. students pursuing doctoral studies, covering up to CA$ 40,000 as a stipend. They even provide 20,000 for travel and research purposes, making it one of the best fully funded scholarships for international students in Canada.
4. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
Scholarship Amount: CA$ 70,000 per year
Eligibility Criteria: You must:
1. Be an international citizen
2. You must also have a PhD in environmental or health professional.
Deadline for Applying: September 30, 2024
Who is this for?: Post-doctorate students
This fully funded scholarship in Canada is visible for PhD candidates for both Canadians and non-Canadians. It was initiated to attract the most talented for research-based growth and leadership potential in return for helping and spurring the economic growth of the country. International applicants can only hold the Banting Postdoctoral fellowship in Canadian institutes, and Canadian citizens and permanent residents can hold the scholarships in as well as out of Canadian borders, making it one of the best fully funded scholarships for international students in Canada.
5. UdeM Exemption Scholarships
Scholarship Amount: Varies from subject to subject
Eligibility Criteria: You must:
1. Be a compulsory study permit holder
2. Must be an applicant enlisted full-time in a study program.
Deadline for Applying: February 1, 2024
Who is this for?: Undergraduate, masters, and PhD students
International students can benefit from the UdeM Exemption Scholarship. This fully funded scholarship in Canada provided by the University of Montreal helps the talented to attend the best francophone research universities in the country. It is one of the best, most pursued, fully funded scholarships in the country; candidates with an offer letter and enrolled full-time for an undergraduate or postgraduate program can benefit from this particular scholarship, making it one of the best full ride scholarships in Canada. The financial coverage may vary as per the program opted. This is another fully funded scholarship for international students in Canada, which tops the list.
6. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships
Scholarship Amount: This scholarship covers your tuition fees, books, incidental fees, and full residence support.
Eligibility Criteria: You need to:
1. Demonstrate leadership qualities
2. Display originality and creative undergraduate skills
3. You will also need to show your intentions on why you want to study at the University of Toronto.
Deadline for Applying: January 15, 2024
Who is this for?: All students
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is among one of the best fully funded scholarships in Canada for international students! Offered by the University of Toronto, this scholarship covers many of the costs related to studying in a different country, like tuition fees, residence support, and more! One thing to note is that this scholarship is only applicable to Bachelor students who are going to study at the University of Toronto, making it one of the best full ride scholarships Canada.
7. Google PhD Fellowship Program
Scholarship Amount: Full tuition fees
Eligibility Criteria: You must:
1. Be enrolled in the PhD programme and continue to attend
2. Finish graduate-level coursework before applying to the PhD programme.
Deadline for Applying: May 8, 2024
Who is this for?: Doctoral students
Next on our list of fully funded scholarships in Canada is one offered by Google for PhD students! Google PhD Fellowship Program is an opportunity for students who want to pursue a PhD in Computer Sciences in Canada. Google's scholarship covers the entire tuition fee for your course at any of the universities in Canada, making it one of the best full ride scholarships Canada.
8. Leakey Foundation Research Grants
Scholarship Amount: CA $40,299
Eligibility Criteria: The Leakey Foundation Research Grants are open to:
1. Established scientists and advanced doctoral students
2. Another criterion is that aspiring applicants must speak fluent English.
Deadline for Applying: July 15, 2024
Who is this for?: Doctoral students
Made for scientists and advanced doctoral students, Leakey Foundation Research Grants is among the best full ride scholarships Canada! This scholarship is specifically aimed at PhD and postdoctoral students, where they are awarded CA$ 40,299, which helps cover their entire tuition fees, making it one of the best fully funded scholarships in Canada.
9. President's International Scholarship of Excellence
Scholarship Amount: CA$ 45,000 to cover tuition fees
Eligibility Criteria: You must:
1. Score at least 88 in TOEFL, 6.5 in IELTS, or 60 in PTE.
2. You also need to apply to York University directly from high school no more than two years after passing out
Deadline for Applying: February 1, 2024
Who is this for?: Undergraduate students
Offered by York University, the President's International Scholarship of Excellence is the next full ride scholarship Canada on our list! This scholarship is only applicable to students who want to pursue a Bachelor's degree for four years in Canada. This merit-based scholarship offers CA$ 45,000 to 20 international students, which covers their tuition fees, making it one of the best fully funded scholarships for international students in Canada.
10. UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award
Scholarship Amount: CA$ 35,000
Eligibility Criteria: You must:
1. Show your financial need and the inability to pursue your studies at UBC.
2. You will also need a strong academic record and display leadership qualities.
Deadline for Applying: January 15, 2024
Who is this for?: Undergraduate students
Last but not least is the International Leader of Tomorrow Award (ILOT) offered by the University of British Columbia, which is a need-based scholarship offered to students who want to pursue an undergraduate degree at UBC! This scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, and other study-related costs in Canada, which makes it one of the best full ride scholarships Canada. Looking for student housing near all your preferred universities? Don't worry; Amber is here to help you find the perfect student home in Canada
Canadian Universities Offering Fully Funded Scholarships
Do you want to study in universities offering fully funded courses in Canada? Let us tell you there are many top universities offering fully funded scholarships in Canada that students can consider while opting to study in Canada. Some of the best universities are listed below:
1. University of British Columbia
Being ranked one of the best public universities in Canada, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is well known for its diverse range of programs. The university is known to provide one of the best fully funded scholarships in Canada—the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award, which is awarded to international students pursuing undergraduate studies at the university.
2. University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is known to offer a range of fully funded scholarships in Canada, especially to international students. To be selected for this scholarship, the student must possess exceptional skills and abilities. One prominent example of a scholarship provided by the university is the President’s International Distinction Scholarship.
3. University of Toronto
The university is known to provide the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, which provides an amazing opportunity for international students to make their dream of studying at the University of Toronto come true. This fully funded scholarship in Canada includes tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support throughout the years of your studies.
4. University of Manitoba
The institution primarily provides 1600 first-year students with entrance scholarships every year. One of the primary examples of a fully funded scholarship in Canada provided by the University of Manitoba includes the McCall MacBain Scholarship, which covers the full tuition fees and also provides them with a stipend of CA$ 2,000 per month.
5. University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo offers a wide range of fully funded scholarships in Canada for undergraduate and graduate programs. One of the best fully funded scholarships in Canada offered at the University of Waterloo is the President’s Scholarship of Distinction, which provides students with CA$ 10,000 per year for up to four years of their undergraduate tenure. Other scholarships are available for Master’s and Doctoral students.
The top universities in Canada offer excellent quality education and also encourage scholarship programs for international students in Canada. Students who fit the eligibility criteria can easily benefit from the granted scholarship. These fully funded scholarships in Canada for undergraduates, postgraduates, and doctoral candidates cover tuition and sometimes significant living expenses. Many think getting a scholarship is difficult, and many other things are untrue; you can read about the common international scholarship myths! Fly away and explore this beautiful country along with some high-quality education.