Canada is a popular destination for international students and it’s not hard to see why. Two languages are spoken in the country, the people are warm and friendly, the environment is adaptable, and some provinces even offer international students free health insurance. What’s more, Canada is home to some of the top-ranking universities and research institutions in the world, with a transparent and accessible student visa application process for international students. Though studying in Canada is more cost-effective than in the US and Australia, not every international student can fully afford the fees on their own. If you are one such student, below we’ve compiled a list of scholarships and requirements. But before that, here are some tips on how to gain scholarships to Canadian universities.
Tips on how to gain scholarships into Canadian universities
Canadian scholarships are competitive and the application process can be daunting too. Below are some tips that can increase your chances of getting a scholarship and also help you through the application process.
- Plan ahead
Planning considerably boosts your chances of getting a scholarship. One of the things that qualify you for many Canadian scholarships is your resume. To plan ahead is to take on internships, research opportunities, and other extracurricular activities like volunteering in relevant areas.
- Start early
Starting late is one of the chief reasons why students don’t get scholarships. Some students wait until they’re at that point where they’re desperate for money before even thinking of a scholarship. If you know you’re going to need a scholarship even remotely, start searching and putting together the requirements early.
- Read the rules thoroughly
Without reading the rules of a scholarship thoroughly, chances are you’ll miss some important requirements. If you come across a scholarship and you don’t understand any part of the requirements, find a number or email on the page and reach out to them. Don’t be afraid of asking questions.
- Write, rewrite and proofread
This can’t be emphasized enough. Canada is an English-speaking country and they typically require proof of proficiency in the English language. When you write your scholarship application essay, do your best to show your mastery of the English language. Don’t just write and submit. Rewrite and proofread, then look for a friend or a teacher who’s a native English speaker to look through it. Note that not all scholarship committees ask for essays. But those that do want to know you not just academically but personally.
- Believe you’ll get it
If you pursue a scholarship without believing in your chances, then you might not go the extra mile it requires to actually get it. You may find yourself doing just enough to convince yourself that you tried. Scholarship committees don’t start out knowing who they’ll give a scholarship. Fancy your chances and put your back into it.
Some Canadian scholarships and their requirements
Here is a list of Canadian scholarships for you to look through and apply.
- Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Program (CGSM)
Worth $17,000 for up to 12 months, this scholarship is open to international students on permanent residence status to support their research in the fields of health, natural sciences and/or engineering, and social sciences and/or humanities.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be a permanent resident of Canada.
- Must be enrolled in, have applied for, or will apply for full-time admission to an eligible graduate program at the masters or doctoral level at a Canadian institution with a CGS M allocation.
- Must not be a past recipient of CGS M and have achieved a first-class average, as determined by the host institution, in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent).
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship program is valued at $50,000 per year for three years of doctoral studies at a Canadian post-secondary institution. Every year, the government selects up to 167 new Vanier CGS recipients.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be enrolled in a PhD-level program at a Canadian university.
- Must meet evaluation criteria for academic excellence, research potential, and leadership.
- Must receive a nomination from the destination Canadian post-secondary institution of choice.
Algonquin College Undergraduate Scholarship for International Students
This scholarship is meant to reward first-year, first-term post-secondary international students who have above average grades and English language proficiency.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be an international student.
- Must be paying full international student fees and not receiving any other scholarships or bursaries.
- Must be accepted into your program for the upcoming academic semester and have completed all conditions.
- Must submit a completed International Student Scholarship application package including a completed scholarship application form, 500-word personal statement, copy of Academic Transcripts, and Copy of IELTS or TOEFL scores if you are not from an English speaking country.