Applying for a Canadian scholarship as an international student.
By Eman Katem
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) helps graduate students fund their studies in a participating Canadian post-secondary institution. The award is valued at $10,000 and $15,000 depending on the number of terms in a study program.
The process of applying for studies abroad can be very overwhelming—and expensive!
To help you we put together the following list of Canadian scholarships available to international students interested in studying in Canada.
The Canadian government and many post-secondary institutions offer international students possibilities for obtaining scholarship awards, grants, or bursaries to finance their education.
Unlike a loan, money received from a scholarship program does not need to be repaid.
If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, it is important to understand the application process and abide by the deadline specified by the granting institution or organization.
The eligibility requirements and application package often differs from one scholarship to the next. For example, some scholarships may require a personal essay and/or request references from past teachers or employers. Other scholarships may be primarily offered based on academic performance, extracurricular achievements, or other creative skills.
It is important to note that the deadlines and eligibility requirements listed here are subject to change and it is recommended that you contact the organization and institution for updated information and deadlines.
The CanadaVisa Study Hub $500 Scholarship Contest
The CanadaVisa Scholarship Contest gives members of the CanadaVisa Study Hub the opportunity to win $500. Every month a new member is randomly selected as the winner. The contest is designed to support current international students and post-graduate workers in Canada.
The contest is offered in the Study Hub, an online portal that offers a wide range of tools and resources to international students looking to make the most of their time in Canada as international students and graduates.
Eligibility requirements:
- Be a member of the CanadaVisa Study Hub
- Have a valid study permit and/or post-graduation work permit
- Provide proof of enrolment at a Canadian post-secondary institution
Deadline: No specified deadline
Global Affairs International Scholarship Opportunities for Non-Canadians
In its commitment to participate in international research partnerships, Canada partners with organizations worldwide to support the promotion of international education through research opportunities in Canadian post-secondary institutions. The value of scholarships offered by Global Affairs Canada varies depending on the duration and level of study. Generally, scholarships range from $7,200 to 14,700.
Eligibility requirements:
To apply for various scholarships, fellowships, and awards offered through Global Affairs Canada, it is important to consult the criteria for each scholarship separately. Also, many scholarships require an application to be submitted from the destination institution. Therefore, it is important to prepare all the necessary documents and coordinate with the destination school.
Currently, there are government scholarships offered in the form of short-term exchange programs, online study scholarships and research projects.
Popular scholarships:
Canada-ASEAN Scholarships, Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP), Canada-CARICOM Leadership Scholarships Program, Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program and Canada-Chile Leadership Exchange Scholarship
Deadline: Varies based on program and opens intermittently throughout the year.
Upcoming deadline for short-term exchange programs is 11:59 p.m. EDT, April 17, 2018.
Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Program (CGS M)
The CGS M scholarship program 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.
The award is worth $17,000 for up to 12 months.
Annually, the program helps up to 2,000 students enrolled in eligible Canadian academic institutions.
Eligibility requirements:
To apply for the CGS M, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
- be enrolled in, have applied for, or will apply for full-time admission to an eligible graduate program at the master’s or doctoral level at a Canadian institution with a CGS M allocation
- not be a past recipient of CGS M (some exceptions apply); 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).
It is important to consult the dedicated CGS M webpage for further details about the program eligibility requirements.
Deadline: December 1; submitted through the dedicated Research Portal.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) helps graduate students fund their studies in a participating Canadian post-secondary institution. The award is valued at $10,000 and $15,000 depending on the number of terms in a study program.
The scholarship program is funded by Ontario’s provincial government and the school where the student will attend. A potential recipient is evaluated based on academic standing, research skills, and volunteer/ leadership experience.
Ontario spends approximately $30 million every year to support the OGS program.
Eligibility requirements:
To be considered for the scholarship, you must:
- be enrolled in a graduate program at the master’s or doctoral level;
- be registered in full-time studies for 2 or more terms (21 to 52 weeks in total) for the academic of application;
- be on a valid study permit; and
- attend a participating Ontario school.
Deadline: Varies based on the department/program at the post-secondary institution of study.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) program is valued at $50,000 per year for three years of doctoral studies at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
The Vanier CGS was introduced by the Canadian government in 2008 to attract world-class talent to Canada and help establish Canada as a prime research and higher education locale.
The government selects up to 167 new Vanier CGS recipients every year.
Eligibility requirements:
Vanier scholars are chosen based on leadership skills and academic excellence at a graduate level.
In most cases, to be considered as a Vanier scholar, you must:
- be enrolled in a PhD-level program at a Canadian university;
- meet evaluation criteria for academic excellence, research potential, and leadership; and
- receive a nomination from the destination Canadian post-secondary institution of choice.
Deadline: Currently closed for nominations. Results for last year’s nomination cycle will be announced early April 2018. For scholarship timeline, visit the government website.
Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS)
The Government of Ontario introduced the OTS program in 2010 to help bring the best performing international students to the province to complete their PhD studies.
OTS awards are $40,000 each year and are automatically renewable every three years following the first year. It is important that a recipient maintains good academic standing and continue to meet eligibility requirement for the OTS.
Eligibility requirements:
To qualify for the OTS, you must:
- hold a valid Canadian study permit;
- intend to pursue full-time graduate studies at the doctoral level in a degree-granting program;
- have exceptional research experience and potential combined with an outstanding university academic record; and
- be present and registered full-time in the PhD program at the post-secondary institution by the start date of the award and for the program’s complete duration.
International students benefit from the OTS in various eligible Ontario universities.
School-specific scholarship awards
Canadian universities and colleges may offer unique entrance scholarships to international students. The awards and/or fellowships are mostly merit-based and have specific criteria based on academic standing and study program duration.
Some key awards include:
- Humber College International Entrance Scholarships worth between $1,000 and $1,500.
- University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships ranging from $14,000 to $18,000 (depending on Master’s or PhD-level).
- University of Calgary Graduate Awards of $1,000 to $40,000 across various fields of study.
- UBC Graduate Global Leadership Fellowships to citizens of developing countries valued at $18,200 per year for a total of four years in doctoral studies at the University of British Columbia.
- Dalhousie University Scholarships of up to $40,000 offered to international students pursuing the university.
Source: 2018 CanadaStudyNews All Rights Reserved
Financial Aid Options for International Students at Canadian Universities.
by Abigail Byle
Canadian universities are seeing ever-increasing numbers of international students, but these students often face challenges, such as high tuition and fees. Most of the universities in Canada are publicly funded, which helps to keep tuition fees lower than in some other countries, while still offering a high-quality education. Unfortunately, however, most financial aid options at universities in Canada are primarily intended for Canadian students. International students may have limited resources available to them and will be expected by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to finance their studies in Canada on their own.
Understanding what costs you should expect will help to guide your financial plan as a whole. Check out the following resources to help you plan for your study abroad expenses:
- University of Toronto’s Student Financial Planner: This tool allows you to estimate education costs according to your specific degree program and status. Although other universities will have different tuition fees, education costs across Canada for public universities do not vary too widely, so the University of Toronto planner is a useful tool even for studying elsewhere.
- International Centre for Students at the University of Manitoba’s Guide to Expenses: This resource is for international students, specifically, and provides a handy breakdown of the costs you can expect to pay while studying.
With a financial plan in mind, you can begin to investigate funding opportunities.
How to Start Your Financial Aid Search
A good place for international students to begin to look for funding is in their home countries, such as an education department or ministry, as there will likely be financial aid programs available for students studying abroad. Once you have explored options in your home country, you can visit the Government of Canada International Scholarships and International Council for Canadian Studies websites to get an overview of the financial aid landscape in Canada. Finally, once you have submitted your applications, you should start exploring financial aid opportunities at the universities to which you have applied directly.
Types of Financial Aid Available
Some types of financial assistance available include scholarships, bursaries, awards, grants, fellowships, and loans. Below are descriptions of the financial aid options available to you as an international student.
Scholarships and Bursaries
Scholarships and bursaries are forms of monetary support that are available to international students to help them finance their education. Neither source requires repayment and they often take into account work and volunteer experience, which may be a benefit to any international students with more extensive professional experience. After selecting the university you are planning to attend, or at least finalizing the top choices, visit the financial aid website to search for scholarships, bursaries, and any other funding for which you might be eligible.
These are the distinctions between bursaries and scholarships:
- Bursaries are offered to students with financial needs, so there is usually an application required and you may also need to submit a need assessment of some sort to verify your finances.
- Scholarships are offered to students on the basis of academic excellence, athletics, volunteer experience, and also by specific research areas, especially for graduate students. Many scholarships require an application, especially for high-value awards, but some will be automatically offered to eligible students, such as entrance scholarships.
Entrance Scholarships
Entrance scholarships are a good resource for academically strong students. If financing is a concern, it is worthwhile to find out if any schools in which you are interested offer entrance scholarships and if you are eligible. Remember that there may be deadlines for specific awards, so be sure to apply for the awards or for admission to your degree program as early in the year as possible.
A number of universities, such as Carleton University, the University of Manitoba, and the University of Alberta, have international student entrance scholarships available to help offset any additional tuition fees. These scholarships are often automatic, based on the eligibility criteria, which is usually a minimum GPA requirement and requires students to be registered full-time.
Student Loans
If traditional financial aid options, such as scholarships and bursaries, are not a possibility, international students are also able to access traditional student loans, which have similar interest rates and repayment schedules for both international and Canadian students. Because most provincial student aid programs are restricted to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, international students will likely need to borrow from a private lending institution or a bank.
If you want to explore loans, a good place to start is the Canada Student Loan program. While this resource is available to Canadians primarily, some protected status persons, such as refugees, are also eligible.
Final Tips
A wonderful education is available at over 100 public universities across Canada, in addition to private universities. International students may have to research their financial aid options if they are not able to pay for their education on their own, but there are many resources available.
Source: WES.org
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