Canadian universities and colleges provide a wide range of scholarships to meritorious international students to help them fund their studies. Apart from this, many scholarships, grants and bursaries are also offered by the Canadian government, and public and private establishments. Before you apply to any of these scholarships, do check the eligibility and criteria, along with the closing date.
The primary criterion for most scholarships is a good academic score, however, it also depends on factors such as your chosen institution, subject and level. In some scholarships, factors like extracurricular activities, and volunteering can also be used to advantage.
The amount of money available and the type of award varies between various institutions. Getting a scholarship is competitive and so, it is important that you apply well ahead of time. We recommend you start with the procedure about 8-12 months before the preferred intake begins.
Here’s an overview of some of the popular scholarships you can apply to as a Srilankan student:
University | Scholarship | Information |
Lakehead University | International Entrance Scholarships | Offers over CAD 11 million annually in scholarships, bursaries, and awards for undergraduate students, with scholarship values ranging from CAD 4,000 to CAD 30,000. |
Ryerson University | International Secondary School Merit Scholarship | Recognizes first-year undergraduate students' academic achievements with a scholarship worth CAD 5,000. |
University of Windsor | Entrance Awards | Offers scholarships for undergraduate students worth CAD 1,000 to CAD 16,000, recognizing various attributes like academic excellence and good citizenship. |
University of Alberta | Various Scholarships | Provides millions in scholarships annually to international students, with scholarships for undergraduate students potentially worth over CAD 29,000. |
The University of Winnipeg | President's Scholarship for World Leaders | Available to both undergraduate and graduate students, with scholarships ranging from CAD 3,500 to CAD 5,000. |
Brock University | Brock Scholars Awards | Offers scholarships worth over CAD 4,000 to CAD 16,000, aiming to support students in achieving a post-secondary education. |
King’s University College | Entrance Scholarships | Provides generous unlimited and guaranteed scholarships for all international high school students, ranging from CAD 1,500 to CAD 3,500. |
Acadia University | Undergraduate Program Scholarships | Offers scholarships ranging from CAD 500 to CAD 60,000 for its undergraduate programs. |
Queen’s University Canada | Undergraduate Program Scholarships | Scholarships range from CAD 2,000 to CAD 6,000 for its undergraduate programs. |
University of Waterloo | Undergraduate Scholarships | Offers scholarships for undergraduate programs up to CAD 10,000. |
Crandall University | Various Scholarships | Provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships, awards, and bursaries, with scholarships of up to CAD 2,000 annually for undergraduate programs. |
University of New Brunswick | Undergraduate Scholarships | Offers scholarships for undergraduate programs up to CAD 10,000. |
Trent University | International Scholarships and Awards | Offers a limited number of scholarships and awards for undergraduate studies, with scholarships of up to CAD 20,000. |
Wilfrid Laurier University | Various Scholarships and Awards | Offers competitive scholarships and awards based on criteria like involvement and academic achievement, with scholarships of up to CAD 5,000. |
University of Saskatchewan | Competitive Entrance Awards | Includes scholarships and bursaries between CAD 500 - and CAD 32,000. Specific awards like the International Excellence Awards (CAD 10,000) and IB Excellence Awards (CAD 20,000) are available. |
Fraser Valley University | Entrance Scholarships | Announces new entrance scholarships including the International Excellence Entrance Scholarships (CAD 10,000 per applicant), International Regional Entrance Scholarships (CAD 5,000 per applicant), and BC High School Entrance Scholarships (CAD 5,000 per applicant). |
*This is an indicative list, please speak with your counsellor for details and the best available options suited to your profile
We advise you to start your scholarship process as soon as possible. For more details on scholarships, you can get in touch with our international education experts at IDP. They will help you with the end-to-end admission process.
Ques 1: How can I find scholarships to study in Canada?
Ans: You can check the official websites of Canadian universities you're interested in, as they list scholarships for international students. Also, check government and private scholarships that support international education in Canada.
Ques 2: Do I need a certain GPA to qualify for scholarships in Canada?
Ans: Yes, most scholarships have GPA requirements. The specific GPA needed can vary widely depending on the scholarship; some might require a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher, while others may be more or less stringent.
Ques 3: Can international students get full scholarships to study in Canada?
Ans: Yes, there are full scholarships available for international students to study in Canada. These scholarships mostly cover tuition, living expenses, and sometimes travel costs.
Ques 4: When should I apply for scholarships to study in Canada?
Ans: We suggest you should start researching and applying for scholarships at least a year before your intended start date. Keep checking the application deadlines, which can vary from scholarship to scholarship and may not align with university application deadlines.
Ques 5: Are there scholarships available for graduate students in Canada?
Ans: Yes, there are numerous scholarships available for international students pursuing graduate degrees in Canada, including master's and PhD programs. These can be offered by universities, private foundations, and government agencies.