Scholarships in Canada at a glance
Quick read
- Most Canadian scholarships for Indian students are university entrance awards for bachelor's students, from a few thousand dollars to full four-year packages.
- Several are automatic: York University gives up to C$37,500 over four years to international applicants with a 90%+ average, with no separate form.
- The most generous awards, such as U of T's Lester B. Pearson and York's President's International Scholarship of Excellence (C$180,000), need nominations or separate applications.
- Master's students have fewer options; the Ontario Graduate Scholarship has a small number of places for study permit holders.
- Scholarship deadlines can be months before admission deadlines: York's PISE student application closes 27 January 2027, with the nominee form due 4 February 2027.
Canada's federal government does not run a general scholarship for Indian coursework students, so funding comes mainly from universities and provinces. Entrance scholarships are the most common: you are considered when you apply, and the amount depends on your admission average. Big leadership awards need a nomination from your school and a separate application.
Graduate students should look at department funding, research assistantships and provincial awards. Amounts below are in Canadian dollars and are taken from each provider's page for the 2026–27 or 2027–28 cycle.
Types of scholarships in Canada
- 01
Automatic entrance scholarships
Given on admission based on your marks. Some are one-off; others renew each year if you keep a set GPA.
- 02
Competitive leadership awards
Large packages that need nominations, essays and interviews, such as U of T's Pearson and York's PISE.
- 03
Provincial and graduate awards
Ontario Graduate Scholarships and department funding for master's and PhD students.
- 04
Research internships and Indian trusts
Mitacs Globalink funds summer research for Indian B.Tech students; Indian trusts support postgraduate study abroad.
All scholarships in one table
| Scholarship | Type | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) (opens in a new tab)Government of Ontario and Ontario universities | Government | Master's and PhD | C$5,000 a session: C$10,000 for two sessions or C$15,000 for three |
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (opens in a new tab)University of Toronto | University | Bachelor's | Tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence costs for four years |
| International Major Entrance Scholarship and Outstanding International Student Award (opens in a new tab)University of British Columbia | University | Bachelor's | C$10,000 to C$25,000; the major entrance award can be renewed for up to three more years |
| President's International Scholarship of Excellence (PISE) (opens in a new tab)York University | University | Bachelor's | C$180,000 (C$45,000 a year for four years) |
| York International Scholarship of Distinction and International Merit Award (opens in a new tab)York University | University | Bachelor's | Distinction: C$15,000 in year 1 and C$7,500 in years 2–4 (up to C$37,500). Merit: C$10,000 then C$5,000 a year (up to C$25,000) |
| Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (opens in a new tab)Mitacs | Foundation | Undergraduate research internship | Partial airfare, housing and living stipends and health cover for a 12-week summer research project |
| K.C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad (opens in a new tab)K.C. Mahindra Education Trust | Foundation | Master's and PhD | Interest-free loan scholarship of up to ₹10 lakh for the top three, and up to ₹5 lakh for others |
| J N Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship (opens in a new tab)J N Tata Endowment (Tata Trusts) | Foundation | Master's, PhD and postdoctoral | Loan scholarship; the amount is decided case by case after an interview |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship (opens in a new tab)Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation | Foundation | Master's | Full or part scholarships given as repayable, interest-free financial assistance (amount not fixed) |
| National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) (opens in a new tab)Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India | Government | Master's and PhD | Tuition, maintenance and other allowances, paid through Indian Missions abroad; amounts are in the scheme guidelines |
Values are as published by each provider on the date of our research. Most awards are competitive and limited in number, so none of them is guaranteed.
Government scholarships in Canada
- GovernmentMaster's and PhD
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
Government of Ontario and Ontario universities
- Value
- C$5,000 a session: C$10,000 for two sessions or C$15,000 for three
- Who can apply
- Graduate students at Ontario universities; a limited number of awards are open to study permit holders. Apply through your university.
- Deadline or window
- Set by each graduate unit; results are released in mid-July. Check your department's deadline
- GovernmentMaster's and PhD
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
- Value
- Tuition, maintenance and other allowances, paid through Indian Missions abroad; amounts are in the scheme guidelines
- Who can apply
- Low-income, meritorious students from the Scheduled Castes, De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, landless agricultural labourers and traditional artisans. 125 awards a year, 30% for women. Income, age and marks limits are in the scheme guidelines.
- Deadline or window
- Apply on the NOS portal (nosmsje.gov.in) when the yearly call opens; check the official page
Get a scholarship shortlist for your profileShare your marks, test scores and budget, and our counsellor will match you to Canada scholarships you can realistically win.
University scholarships in Canada
- UniversityBachelor's
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
- Value
- Tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence costs for four years
- Who can apply
- Outstanding international school leavers nominated by their school; about 37 awards a year.
- Deadline or window
- School nominations for September 2027 closed on 9 October 2026; plan early for 2028
- UniversityBachelor's
International Major Entrance Scholarship and Outstanding International Student Award
University of British Columbia
- Value
- C$10,000 to C$25,000; the major entrance award can be renewed for up to three more years
- Who can apply
- Strong international students entering a UBC bachelor's degree; considered automatically when you apply by the deadline.
- Deadline or window
- Automatic: apply by UBC's admissions deadline; awards are decided from mid-February to April. International Scholars Program: nomination-based, check the official page
- UniversityBachelor's
President's International Scholarship of Excellence (PISE)
- Value
- C$180,000 (C$45,000 a year for four years)
- Who can apply
- International high school applicants with academic excellence, volunteering, extracurricular commitment and leadership. Cannot be combined with York's entrance scholarships.
- Deadline or window
- Student application by 27 January 2027; nominee form by 4 February 2027
- UniversityBachelor's
York International Scholarship of Distinction and International Merit Award
- Value
- Distinction: C$15,000 in year 1 and C$7,500 in years 2–4 (up to C$37,500). Merit: C$10,000 then C$5,000 a year (up to C$25,000)
- Who can apply
- International high school applicants with a 90%+ average (Distinction) or 80–89.9% (Merit).
- Deadline or window
- No separate application; awarded on your admission average
Trusts and foundations (including Indian trusts)
- FoundationUndergraduate research internship
Mitacs Globalink Research Internship
Mitacs
- Value
- Partial airfare, housing and living stipends and health cover for a 12-week summer research project
- Who can apply
- Indian B.E. or B.Tech students at listed institutions with at least 70%. A useful step towards a Canadian master's.
- Deadline or window
- The summer 2027 call has closed; check the Mitacs page for the next call (student calls typically run about six weeks)
- FoundationMaster's and PhD
K.C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad
K.C. Mahindra Education Trust
- Value
- Interest-free loan scholarship of up to ₹10 lakh for the top three, and up to ₹5 lakh for others
- Who can apply
- Indian citizens with a first-class degree (or equivalent diploma) from a recognised university, starting a postgraduate programme at an overseas university. Final-year students can apply with proof of a first class before the end of June. At least 50 awards a year.
- Deadline or window
- The 2026 round closed on 30 April 2026; the next round usually opens early in the year
- FoundationMaster's, PhD and postdoctoral
J N Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
J N Tata Endowment (Tata Trusts)
- Value
- Loan scholarship; the amount is decided case by case after an interview
- Who can apply
- Indians who have completed their undergraduate studies at a recognised Indian university, going abroad for higher studies. Selection is on merit only.
- Deadline or window
- The 2026–27 form window ran from 5 January to 29 March 2026; expect a similar window in early 2027
- FoundationMaster's
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation
- Value
- Full or part scholarships given as repayable, interest-free financial assistance (amount not fixed)
- Who can apply
- Merit-based, for Indian students of academic excellence going on to postgraduate study in India or abroad. Check the official page for fields and other conditions.
- Deadline or window
- Applications are closed for now; check the official page for the next call
Scholarship calendar for 2027 entry
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| October to November 2026 | Pearson nominations closed 9 October 2026 for September 2027. Check other early scholarship deadlines on each university's page. |
| December 2026 to January 2027 | University applications for September 2027, which also count for automatic entrance scholarships such as UBC's. Check UBC's admissions deadline. |
| January to February 2027 | York PISE applications (27 January) and nominee forms (4 February). Graduate funding applications at many universities. |
| January to April 2027 | Indian trusts open: J N Tata, Narotam Sekhsaria and K.C. Mahindra. |
| March to May 2027 | Most entrance scholarship results are announced; compare offers on total cost, not just the award. |
Eligibility and documents
What selectors usually look for
- High Class 12 marks for entrance awards: 80% upwards for most, 90% or more for the bigger ones.
- Applying by the scholarship deadline, which can be earlier than the admission deadline.
- Leadership, volunteering and extracurricular achievements for competitive awards.
- For graduate awards: strong grades, research interests and references.
- Full-time study on a study permit.
Documents to keep ready
- Class 10, 11 and 12 mark sheets, and predicted marks if final ones are not out
- Bachelor's transcripts for graduate awards
- English test score report
- Scholarship essays or personal profile
- School nomination or reference letters
- Certificates for leadership, sport, arts or volunteering
- Passport copy
How to apply, step by step
- Shortlist universities and note each one's scholarship deadline, not just its admission deadline.
- Ask your school about nominations for leadership awards well before October.
- Apply for admission early; automatic awards are based on the marks in your application.
- Write essays for competitive awards about specific achievements and your plans.
- Send transcripts and documents by the university's document deadline.
- Accept the award in writing and check renewal conditions such as GPA and course load.
Want help with your scholarship essay?Our counsellor will review your statement and references so they match your course application.
Tips to improve your chances
- 01
Mark the scholarship deadline first
In Canada the scholarship date often comes two months before the admission date. Missing it means you are not considered.
- 02
Talk to your school early
Pearson and similar awards need your school to nominate you. Ask your principal by the start of Class 12.
- 03
Compare renewable awards
A smaller award renewed for four years can be worth more than a bigger one-off payment.
- 04
Show real leadership
Selectors look for impact: a club you grew, a community project you ran, results you can describe with numbers.
- 05
Budget for the study permit
Scholarships reduce tuition, but you still need to show living funds (C$23,448 outside Quebec) for the permit.
Scholarships in Canada: FAQs
Are there fully funded scholarships in Canada for Indian students?
Yes, but very few: U of T's Lester B. Pearson covers tuition, books and residence for four years, and York's PISE pays C$45,000 a year for four years. Most awards are partial.
Can master's students get scholarships in Canada?
Yes, through department funding, research or teaching assistantships and awards such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, which has limited places for international students.
Do I need a separate application for entrance scholarships?
Often not. Many, such as York's merit awards and UBC's entrance awards, are automatic. Leadership awards always need a separate application.
Do colleges offer scholarships?
Some colleges offer small entrance awards or bursaries. Values are usually lower than at universities.
Does a scholarship count as proof of funds?
Yes. Include the award letter with your study permit application; it reduces the amount you need to show from other sources.
When should I start preparing?
Twelve to fifteen months before your intake, so you can meet nomination and scholarship deadlines in October and November.
Sources
- University of Toronto: Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- UBC: scholarships and awards for international students (opens in a new tab)
- UBC: dates and deadlines (opens in a new tab)
- York University: scholarships for international students (opens in a new tab)
- University of Toronto: Ontario Graduate Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: proof of financial support (opens in a new tab)
Researched on 26 Oct 2026. Scholarship values, eligibility and deadlines change every year; always confirm on the official page before you apply.