Scholarships, grants and bursaries for Canadian students

By University Study
A shot of a student holding a backpack and their shoes

Scholarships, grants and bursaries are types of financial assistance that you don’t have to pay back. Scholarships are typically based on merit, while grants and bursaries usually take financial need into consideration as well. Some scholarships, grants and bursaries are also based on academic achievement, athletic skill, extra-curricular involvement, or special abilities.

The federal, provincial and territorial governments, individual schools, and some businesses and charitable foundations also give out scholarships, grants and bursaries. Check with your school to find out what you could be eligible for.

We, at Universities Canada, deliver more than 3,500 scholarships each year to young people interested in pursuing higher education. We also manage more than 130 scholarships and over $16 million in student awards which are available both for the general public and dependents of employees of certain organizations.

Additional resources to check out:

  • Yconic.com is an extensive, searchable database of scholarships, student awards, bursaries and grants. You’ll also find information about student loans, applications and budget planning.
  • Employment and Social Development Canada offers valuable information about savings plans, student loans, grants and scholarships.
  • Education and training offers extensive information on bursaries, grants, scholarships and employment opportunities available to students.
  • International scholarships has information on scholarships available to Canadians and non-Canadians studying in Canada and abroad.

Source: Services for Youth

Helpful websites for information about student loans:

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Compared to many countries, studying in Canada is very affordable. You will likely need between C$20,000 and C$30,000 annually to cover tuition. This range is an average only and will vary according to the institution and program in which you are enrolled. The costs for housing, food and other living expenses will depend on your location and your own needs, but C$15,000 annually is not an uncommon estimate.

Tuition

Tuition fees for international students vary across provinces and programs. The table below shows the weighted average tuition fees (in Canadian dollars) for full-time foreign students, by field of study.

Tuition fees by university can be found on the Universities Canada Website

University tuition fees (Canadian dollars) for full-time Canadian and international students in an arts and humanities program, 2023 – 2024 / Source: Statistics Canada

Do remember that the costs associated with attending university go beyond tuition fees. You must also budget for items such as books, living expenses and housing.

University of Saskatchewan-Students standing in front of campus buildingCitizenship and Immigration Canada mandates that you prove you have enough money to meet your financial needs while studying in Canada before you start. So it’s important to begin sorting out your finances – and looking into the possibility of obtaining a scholarship to help fund your education – early on.

Housing

Most universities offer on-campus residences for students, some of them specifically for scholars from abroad. But acceptance at a Canadian school does not automatically mean you can get a room in residence. Students must apply separately for on-campus housing, and its cost varies across institutions and will depend on whether or not you want a private room or a meal plan, for example.

Some international students choose to live off-campus in an apartment. Rent for a typical two-bedroom apartment in Canada averages $1,930 per month*, but varies depending on the city or neighbourhood and the type of accommodation. As a renter, you may also need to pay additional monthly costs for utilities such as electricity, home phone, Internet and cable television, as well as personal expenses and renter’s insurance. Some students share apartments or entire houses in order to reduce their housing costs, or they rent rooms in private houses, sometimes also paying for use of the kitchen. *Source: CMHC (Fall 2022)

Most universities can provide assistance with finding housing, both on and off campus, and answer questions through their housing office or student services.

Transportation

Depending on where you live, you may be able to walk or bike to campus. Many students, particularly those in larger cities, choose public transportation: buses, subways, commuter trains or ferries. One-way public transit fares typically cost a few dollars, and monthly passes range from about $80 to $150, although many transit providers offer student discounts.

Health insurance

All international students in Canada must have health insurance, and the medical coverage that’s available varies from province to province. Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan cover international students under their provincial health care plans, but coverage generally depends on the length of your stay.

Dalhousie University-two students on computers at a tableHowever, international students planning to study in Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island or Quebec must arrange for private health insurance.

You can find out more details about health coverage through the university websites and those of the provin­cial ministries of health.

Cost calculator

To help calculate your overall expenses and estimate the cost of living in Canada, try the education and living cost calculator for students at educanada.ca.

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One way that international students can help finance their studies in Canada is through scholarships, which are non-repayable financial awards. They tend to be granted to students with outstanding academic achievement, although some also recognize volunteer and work experience.

You must apply for some scholarships, but others are awarded automatically.

Scholarship funding for international students who wish to study in Canada is limited, highly competitive, and available mostly at the postgraduate level. Nevertheless, here are some tips and resources to help you explore this possibility.

Start at home

Students should first explore scholarships and other funding possibilities in their home country. Contact the depart­ment of education in your country of citizenship.

Contact your chosen university

Get in touch with the financial aid office of the university you wish to attend to ask for information about scholarships for international students and any application guidelines.

Research additional opportunities

Learn about scholarships administered by the Canadian government, provincial governments, private foundations, and not-for-profit organizations.

Here are some sugges­tions and resources to help you get started:

Government of Canada International Scholarships Program

Global Affairs Canada is responsible for the government’s participa­tion in major international scholarship programs. This website enables users to search for awards for study and research by country of origin.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Open to both Canadian and international PhD students studying at Canadian universities, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is worth $50,000 per year for three years.

Fonds de recheche du Quebec Scholarships and Grants 

The Quebec government offers scholarships and grants through its research funds FRQNT (nature et technologies), FRQS (santé) and FRQSC (société et culture) for doctoral studies, postdoctoral fellowships and short-term research or professional development.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral scholarships

Each year, the Trudeau Foundation rewards up to 15 outstanding doctoral candidates who are enrolled or about to be enrolled in a social sciences and humanities program. The annual value is up to $60,000 per scholar for up to four years.

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There are many scholarships available in Canada, and you may be pleasantly surprised by what is available.

For some students, scholarships are simply an “added bonus” for their university studies, but for other students and families, the funds can be the difference between continuing to university or leaving school for financial reasons. Being informed about what is available to you and how to apply can make a big difference for your postsecondary studies.

Scholarship truths

While grades and extracurricular activities are the basis for many scholarships decisions, there are numerous scholarship types that cater to a wide spectrum of students. For example, some scholarships are “regional” (applicants need to originate from a particular town or area) while others can be more select and designated for a specific applicant (someone with a disability or a certain cultural background).

Fact-finding

Who offers scholarships? Everyone from schools, companies and charities to governments or private individuals. Your starting point in a search for scholarships should begin at home with your parents. Ask whether the company or organization (even unions) in which your parents work offer any scholarships. Most companies that offer scholarships to employees or children of employees don’t advertise externally. Parents could check with the human resources department for any scholarship offerings.

Are you or any members of your family veterans or children of veterans? Veterans organizations give out a fair amount of scholarships. Maybe your parents belong to a lodge or a club that has a scholarship for members or children of members. You could also inquire whether your church, sports, service group or club has any special scholarships available.

Sometimes high schools offer awards or have specific scholarships associated with them. Generally speaking, the guidance office or the principal will have information on these programs.

Do I always need to apply?

Most scholarships require an application, but some are designed to be an automatic consideration, with no application necessary. A number of universities across the country, for example, provide automatic entrance scholarships for students with high school averages above 80 percent, and the amount available is often calculated on a sliding scale depending on your marks.

Know yourself

When applying for scholarships, it’s important to know what you have in the way of strengths. The majority of scholarships are still based on grades, but some administrators are starting to look for other attributes as well. To know what you can get from a scholarship, you have to first know what you have in the way of assets.

Do you:

Have you ever:

Anything that differentiates you from the other students applying for scholarships is important. Try sitting down with your family and brainstorm to develop a list. Something that seems routine to you might be extraordinary to someone else.

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