Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience, and students around the world compete for the opportunity to attend college or university in the international destinations of their choice. For students looking to study abroad for the entirety of their undergraduate degree programs, the United States and the United Kingdom are two of the top destinations due to the number of high-powered universities located there.
However, these two countries aren’t the only places where top-ranked schools pull in students from around the world. A growing number of students are choosing to study in Canada, and there are some great reasons to study there. Canada is one of the safest, most peaceful countries on Earth, and it offers world-class education with a stronger social safety net and a stronger commitment to social justice than the U.S. and the U.K. It can also cost less than the alternatives.
But studying abroad is expensive for any student, and it’s no wonder that so many students are looking to cut the price with scholarships. Overall, Canada offers fewer scholarship opportunities for international students than the U.S. or the U.K., but there are many good scholarships that can help students like you to get a leg up on your plans to study abroad in Canada.
In this article, we’ll take a look at a few of the best scholarships to apply for if you are thinking of studying abroad in Canada. But first, a word of caution: Due to pandemic restrictions, studying abroad has been strictly limited. Many of these opportunities have limitations due to the pandemic and may not be fully available until after borders reopen. Be sure to check with any sponsoring organization or the school you want to apply to before making any plans.

Here are a few of the best scholarship opportunities for students looking to study abroad in Canada:
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is offered through the University of Toronto to international students whose academic record of excellence and creativity marks them as leaders within their school. Recipients of this scholarship will receive four years of funding to cover tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support. This is one of the most comprehensive and generous Canadian scholarships for international students.
York University International Student Scholarship
The York University International Student Scholarship program is aimed at international students attending York University who have a record of academic excellence. The scholarship is highly prized because it offers a generous amount of funding to its recipients, topping out over four years at $60,000–$100,000.
University of British Columbia Scholarships for International Students
The University of British Columbia Scholarships for International Students are intended to recognize the outstanding academic achievements of international students attending the university. UBC sets aside $10 million annually to provide scholarships and financial assistance to undergraduate students from around the world, making this one of the best-funded scholarship programs for students from around the world attending a Canadian university.
Carleton Prestige Scholarships
Carleton University provides Prestige scholarships to undergraduate students from around the world whose admission scores average 90% or better. Exceptional international students can qualify for generous financial support from one of several Prestige scholarships. Among them, the Chancellor’s Scholarship, the Richard Lewar Entrance Scholarship, the Carleton University Scholarship of Excellence, and the Carleton University SHAD Scholarship provide an annual support of $20,000–$30,000. The Riordon Scholarship and the Collins Prestige Scholarship cover full tuition fees for all four of a student’s undergraduate years. Many prestige scholarships are open to any student, but specific Carleton University Entrance Scholarships for International Students are targeted directly to international students.
Calgary International Entrance Scholarships
The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship is designed to recognize the achievements of an international student who has recently begun studies at the university. Students who have demonstrated outstanding academic accomplishments can qualify for up to $60,000 over four undergraduate years.
Winnipeg President’s Scholarships for World Leaders
The Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leaders is designed to provide support for international students who are entering the university and beginning their studies for the first time. Awards range from $3,500–$5,000.
Humber College International Entrance Scholarships
This renewable scholarship offers either partial or full tuition payment, depending on the award, and is available for new international students who begin their first classes in September or January each academic year.
If you are planning to apply for an international scholarship, it is essential that you make a good impression in your application essay, but never more so than if English isn’t your first language. Many students don’t want to leave such an important piece of writing to chance and will use the help of professional writing services like Smart Writing Service to create an engrossing and effective application essay. In many cases, you are competing against hundreds of other applicants, and you need all the help you can get. A custom essay from an online expert with years of experience writing similar papers can help you see new and more effective ways to present yourself so you can make the best possible impression to the people who will be judging you and awarding scholarships.
No matter how you achieve your scholarship, you will want to make the most of your Canadian education. Proving that you are an excellent student who is going places is the first step in making the best use of your time in one of Canada’s best universities.
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