Tips for International Students on How to Find Postgraduate Scholarships in Canada

1. Explore opportunities through your home country 

You may be eligible for financial aid and scholarships through partnerships with your school of choice and one of their partner countries. For example, the University of Saskatchewan has funding partnerships with countries like China, Colombia, and Mexico. Learn more here.  It’s also worthwhile to explore opportunities within your home country for scholarships awarded to citizens who are studying abroad. Check your country’s government website for international students or your national scholarship matching tools for more information.  

2. Check out your university or school’s financial aid resources 

Explore Your School’s Online Resources The certificate or graduate program you are interested in often has a page with information about admission awards, merit awards, or fully-funded scholarship opportunities for international students, including government-funded awards. 
 Book an Appointment at Your Financial Aid Office If you’re feeling lost and overwhelmed, try booking a free appointment with your school’s financial aid and award advisors. They can help by: 

• Giving you advice about your application 

• Recommending what awards to apply for 

• Providing referrals to financial assistance programs 

• Informing you about resources for scholarships and awards 
   

3. Refer to government resources 

Explore Federal Government Resources 

You can find a list of funding opportunities offered to international students through the Government of Canada’s Education Funding page. However, this is not a complete list of what’s out there! Keep scrolling for a comprehensive list of scholarships for international students.   

Look at provincial government resources Some provinces offer province-specific scholarships and awards. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship, for example, is a merit-based program that you can apply to alongside each school’s graduate program you apply for. 

Unfortunately, not all provinces offer postgraduate scholarship opportunities for international students and will refer you to federal programs or scholarships through your postgraduate institution.  

Here are the provinces that do offer international student postgraduate financial aid opportunities: 

• British Columbia Scholarships and Special Programs 

• Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship 

• Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Program** 

• **NOTE: You must have a valid and approved study permit at the designated deadline for your school’s international student graduate unit to be eligible. This study permit deadline can differ from graduate unit and school to school, so be sure to check with your financial aid office. For example, here are the different study permit deadlines for OGS for the University of Toronto.  

• Quebec’s Financial Assistance for International Students 

• Specifically, check out Quebec’s merit-based scholarships. 

4. Use scholarship matching tools/websites 

Scholarship matching sites and databases can be a great resource for finding funding as a postgraduate international student. Helpful resources include: 

• Scholarships Canada 
  Operating since 1997, this database is a great place to find scholarships, awards, and bursaries.  
   

• ScholarTree 
  This site helps students find scholarships for their studies by streamlining the process for potential applicants. 
   

• Student Awards 
  A matching tool for students that filters opportunities by province, school, award value, difficulty, level of study, and more.  

On top of the Government of Canada’s International scholarship opportunities for non-Canadians page, you can also use their scholarship search tool to find funding opportunities specific for international students.  

The featured scholarships available for postgraduate international students include: 

• Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) - for students 

• Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program 

• Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program 

• Study in Canada Scholarships 

• Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships 

• Organization of American States Academic Scholarship Program 

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships 

Other government scholarship programs that international students are eligible for include those offered by: 

• Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation 

• Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Scholarships 

• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council  

The following universities offer postgraduate scholarships for international students. Check out each of their international awards pages to see what funding opportunities you’re eligible for.  

• University of Toronto 

• University of British Columbia 

• McGill University 

• McMaster University 

• University of Waterloo 

• Queen's University 

• University of Calgary 

• University of Alberta 

• University of Manitoba 

• Dalhousie University 

• Université de Montréal 

• Université Laval 

If you’re planning to pursue further studies through a certificate or degree at a college or trades school, reach out to their Financial Aid office or website for more information about scholarships for international students.  

1. Plan in advance 

One of the biggest tips is to start early! This includes researching in advance, allowing for ample time for the collection of necessary documents, and creating a good foundation for your resume. Which leads us to our next point… 

2. Have a well-rounded background 

If you’re thinking about further studies after your first post-secondary degree and are interested in scholarships, it is worthwhile to spend time making sure you have a well-rounded background. This includes: 

• A good GPA 

• Extracurriculars and volunteering 

• Internships 

• Any research opportunities or opportunities that contribute to your faculty or career field of interest.  

Remember, this list isn’t exhaustive. Don’t stretch yourself thin; quality is more important than quantity, and what you engage in should reflect your interests, passions, and strengths.  

3. Apply for small scholarships 

Larger scholarships can be pretty competitive. One effective strategy is to apply for several smaller funding opportunities. While it may seem like a small amount of money, winning many small scholarships can give you a boost!  

4. Only apply for scholarships you’re eligible for 

Make the most of your time and energy by only applying for scholarships where you are an eligibility match. Be sure to include and reference your eligibility information directly in your personal essay. 

Found some great scholarships but not sure where to go from here? Here are some best practices for applying for scholarships:  

1. Take advantage of school resources. 

It’s worth mentioning again that your financial aid advisors and officers are there for a reason! Bring the eligibility criteria and application information for the scholarships you’re interested in and be open to hearing their suggestions and tips on how to perfect your scholarship application. 

2. Make sure you understand scholarship criteria and qualifications 

Read the application carefully and make sure you have all of the criteria, documents, and qualifications necessary for a valid application. Most scholarship applications require the following pieces: 

• Personal statement/essay 

• Proof of academic achievements, awards, etc. 

• Proof of income (if it is a needs-based scholarship) 

• Proof of enrolment in your college, university, or school 
   

3. Reach out to the source of your scholarship  

Email the source of scholarship, such as the foundation or university, and ask them for tips and/or resources for creating a successful application. They may be able to give you a valuable perspective you could have missed.  

4. Know your deadlines 

Check and double check the deadlines for the scholarships you’re interested in and make sure you mark down the important dates in your calendar. Plan accordingly so you’re not rushing to finish your application.  

5. Gather necessary paperwork  

Now that you know your deadlines, give lots of time to gather the paperwork you need, including transcripts and recommendation letters. Depending on your postsecondary institution and the form of transcript the scholarship requires, transcript processing can take anywhere from 3 hours to 2 weeks, so be prepared! 

6. Double check your application for errors 

Check your grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. Make sure the application is free of errors and easy to read. Get someone else to read over your application, whether that’s a friend or someone at your school’s writing centre.  

Applying for scholarships can take some time and energy, but it’s worth the investment. We hope you’ve left feeling prepared and on your way to securing financial support for your studies.  

Looking for more advice and guidance on your scholarship application? Connect with one of IDP Canada’s education counsellors, they’re here to help. Book a free call here.  

If you’re looking for more tips about life as an international student in Canada, be sure to follow IDP Education Canada on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.