Studying in Canada can be expensive, but there are high-value scholarships that many international students win every year. Below are 10 scholarships and funding opportunities worth watching — many with strong past award records and open to eligible applicants.
1) University of Saskatchewan International Dean’s Scholarship
Value: Up to $20,000 CAD per year (renewable)
Who it’s for: Incoming international undergraduate students with excellent academic records
Notes: Highly competitive but automatic consideration once you apply for admission (no separate application).
Apply: Through University of Saskatchewan admissions page – https://admissions.usask.ca/money/scholarships.php
2) University of Saskatchewan Graduate & Departmental Funding
Value: Up to $28,000+ CAD/year for Master’s; $40,000+ CAD/year for PhD (varies by program and supervisor funding)
Deadline: Varies by department (often Dec–Feb)
Notes: Graduate funding is often tied to supervisor/department offers and research assistantships.
Apply: Look under specific graduate programs here — https://grad.usask.ca/funding/index.php
3) University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships
Value: Up to $18,000–$24,000 CAD/year for Master’s; up to $30,000–$40,000+ CAD/year for PhD (varies)
Deadline: Varies by faculty (often Dec–Feb)
Apply: https://umanitoba.ca/graduate-studies/funding
4) University of Alberta Graduate Entrance Scholarships
Value: Up to $18,000–$30,000+ CAD (Master’s) and $18,000–$60,000+ CAD (PhD; combination of awards)
Deadline: Typically December for most programs
Apply: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/graduate-studies/fees-funding/scholarships-awards/index.html
5) Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
Value: $15,000 CAD per year (Master’s & PhD)
Deadline: Varies by institution (often Dec–Feb)
Notes: Funded by the Ontario government but administered by individual universities. Not automatic — requires application via school.
More info: https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/PRDR019245.html
6) McGill University Merit Scholarships
Value: Varies by faculty — often $10,000–$20,000+ CAD per year
Deadline: Varies (often Dec–Feb for graduate programs)
Notes: McGill doesn’t have one single “Weston Fellowship” with fixed amounts; funding is program/department specific.
Apply: https://www.mcgill.ca/gps/funding
7) McMaster University Graduate Scholarships
Value: Base awards often include tuition coverage + stipend ($10,000–$20,000+ CAD) depending on program
Deadline: Varies by program (typically late fall to winter)
Apply: https://gs.mcmaster.ca/current-students/scholarships/
8) University of Waterloo International Funding
Value: Varies; typical awards range from $1,000–$10,000+ CAD automatically or by application, with larger fellowships for graduate students
Deadline: Varies by faculty
Apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/postdoctoral-scholars/funding-opportunities
9) University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies Funding
Value: Range from $10,000–$40,000+ CAD depending on program and combination of awards
Deadline: Varies (often late fall/winter)
Notes: UofT funding often combines multiple awards (internal & external) — check the department.
Apply: https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/awards
10) Queen’s University School of Graduate Studies Funding
Value: Minimum $18,000 CAD per year for PhD + potential top-up awards
Deadline: Varies by program
Apply: https://www.queensu.ca/grad-postdoc/grad-studies/funding/packages
A few facts worth knowing
📌 Some scholarships (like the University of Saskatchewan International Dean’s Scholarship and many institutional awards) do not require a separate application — you are considered automatically when you apply for admission.
📌 Deadlines change every year. Most competitive awards fall between December and February, so prepare early.
📌 Graduate funding often depends on your supervisor or department — especially for research assistantships and fellowships.
📌 Internal school awards are often combined with external ones (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) for graduate students.
Tips to maximize your chances
✔ Apply early — some awards have limited budgets or first-come rules
✔ Prepare strong admission documents (SOP, CV, research statement)
✔ Contact potential supervisors (for graduate funding tied to research)
✔ Check departmental-specific awards — they often have the best funding
✔ Use scholarship databases (ScholarshipCanada, Yconic, EduCanada)
Helpful links
