Fully funded scholarships in Canada

Fully funded scholarships in Canada are available through a combination of university awards, government-supported scholarship programs, institutional funding and research-based opportunities. However, “fully funded” does not describe every scholarship advertised for international students. Some awards cover tuition and residence, some provide partial financial support, and some are designed only for short-term exchange or research.

scholarships in Canada

This guide explains the main routes international students can use to search for substantial or fully funded scholarship support in Canada, how eligibility differs by study level, what documents are normally required, how current opportunities work, and how to verify whether an award actually covers the costs you need.

Important Notice: This guide was reviewed on 28 September 2026. Admission criteria, tuition fees, scholarship conditions, application periods, visa requirements and document rules can differ by university, program, nationality and intake. Verify final requirements with your chosen university and the relevant official authority before applying.

Last Reviewed: 28 September 2026

Table of Contents

What Is a Fully Funded Scholarship in Canada?
Types of Scholarship Funding in Canada
Current Scholarship Opportunities and Routes
Eligibility Requirements
What Funding Can Cover
Tuition and Study Costs
Living Costs, Accommodation and Health Insurance
Study Permit and Scholarship Holders
Required Documents
How to Apply
Common Mistakes and Preparation Tips
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Fully Funded Scholarship in Canada?

A fully funded scholarship generally means that the award provides funding for most or all of the major study costs specified in its official terms. Depending on the program, this can include tuition, accommodation or residence, living support, books, health insurance, travel or other eligible expenses.

The exact meaning is determined by the scholarship provider. A scholarship that covers full tuition but does not provide living support should not automatically be described as fully funded. Likewise, an award covering a short exchange period is different from funding for an entire degree.

For international applicants, this distinction is particularly important because Canadian university tuition and living costs vary considerably by program, institution and location.

Types of Scholarship Funding in Canada

International students can encounter several different funding models. Understanding them before applying helps you avoid treating every scholarship as equivalent.

Funding Type	Typical Purpose	What to Check
University entrance scholarship	Supports new students entering a degree program	Whether the award is renewable and what costs it covers
Need-and-merit scholarship	Combines academic achievement with demonstrated financial need	Financial documentation and academic criteria
Graduate research funding	Supports master's or doctoral research	Research fit, supervisor requirements and funding duration
Government-supported international scholarship	Supports selected international study, research or exchange activities	Country eligibility, study level, duration and application route
Exchange scholarship	Funds short-term study or research in Canada	Whether your home institution must nominate you

Key Information: EduCanada, the Government of Canada's official international education source, provides a scholarship search tool and lists scholarship opportunities for international applicants. Many Canadian universities also administer their own scholarships and financial awards.

Current Scholarship Opportunities and Routes

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto is one of the clearest examples of a Canadian undergraduate award with extensive coverage. The university states that the scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years.

The award is intended for international students entering first-entry undergraduate programs. Applicants must be nominated by their secondary school and must also apply for undergraduate admission to the University of Toronto.

For the September 2027 intake, the University of Toronto lists October 9, 2026 as the school nomination deadline, October 16, 2026 as the relevant admission application deadline and November 6, 2026 as the scholarship application and documentation deadline.

These dates are specific to the 2027 entry cycle and should not be reused for a future cycle without checking the university's updated scholarship page.

UBC International Scholars Program

The University of British Columbia's International Scholars Program is designed for international students entering undergraduate study who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership qualities, community involvement and significant financial need.

UBC states that applications for the September 2027 intake will open in early October 2026. Applicants should first review their academic program, admission requirements, nomination process and financial documentation requirements before preparing the scholarship application.

The program includes several award categories. The university determines which eligible award category applies rather than asking applicants to select a particular award themselves.

Study in Canada Scholarships

The Government of Canada's Study in Canada Scholarships program supports selected international students for short-term study or research in Canada. The program is not a general four-year degree scholarship and should therefore not be presented as equivalent to a full undergraduate or doctoral funding package.

For the 2026–2027 cycle, Global Affairs Canada announced that Canadian post-secondary institutions were responsible for applying and selecting eligible participants. The published program information lists a duration of four to six months and eligible support such as airfare, selected living expenses, health insurance and permit-related expenses.

The 2026–2027 institutional application deadline was March 31, 2026. Because that date has passed, applicants should check EduCanada for the next call rather than treating the 2026 deadline as an active deadline.

Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program

The Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program supports eligible students from Latin America and the Caribbean undertaking short-term study or research in Canada. It is administered through Canadian post-secondary institutions rather than functioning as a general direct-application scholarship for students worldwide.

For the 2026–2027 cycle, Global Affairs Canada listed a four-to-six-month duration and support that can include airfare, selected living expenses, health insurance and eligible permit-related costs. The institutional deadline for that cycle was March 31, 2026.

Graduate Research Funding

For master's and doctoral applicants, funding is often structured differently from undergraduate scholarships. Universities may combine scholarships, research funding, teaching or research assistantships and supervisor-supported funding.

Applicants should therefore search both the university's graduate funding pages and the funding opportunities associated with the department or research group. A graduate offer should be evaluated by reading the complete funding package rather than relying only on the phrase “scholarship.”

Important Note About Vanier CGS

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is frequently mentioned in older scholarship articles. However, the official Vanier website states that it is no longer accepting applications and directs applicants to the new Canada Graduate Research Scholarship–Doctoral program. Therefore, Vanier CGS should not be presented as an open scholarship for new applicants.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility depends on the specific scholarship. There is no single Canadian “fully funded scholarship” eligibility standard covering every university and study level.

Academic Record

Many competitive scholarships require a strong academic record. Some programs publish minimum academic requirements, while others use competitive selection without guaranteeing an award to everyone who meets the minimum.

Study Level

Check whether the award is available for undergraduate, master's, doctoral, postdoctoral, exchange or short-term research applicants. A scholarship designed for a first-entry undergraduate applicant cannot normally be transferred to a master's application.

Leadership and Extracurricular Profile

Some major undergraduate awards consider leadership, community participation, initiative and extracurricular achievements alongside grades. The evidence should be specific and verifiable rather than a general list of activities.

Financial Need

Need-based awards can require information about family income, expenses and assets. UBC's International Scholars Program, for example, states that its assessment includes financial information.

Nationality and Country Restrictions

Government-supported international scholarship programs may be restricted to specific countries or regions. Always check the nationality list for the particular call before preparing an application.

Admission Requirements

Scholarship eligibility does not replace university admission requirements. Applicants may still need the academic qualifications, language evidence, prerequisites and other documents required by the chosen program.

For a related scholarship-planning example, readers can also review the MEXT Scholarship Japan eligibility guide on MY TRKHAN.

What Funding Can Cover

The phrase “fully funded” should always be checked against the official award terms. Possible funding components include:

Tuition or tuition-related academic fees
Residence or accommodation
Living allowance or selected living expenses
Books and educational materials
Health insurance or eligible health coverage
Airfare or travel support
Study permit or other eligible administrative costs
Research expenses or academic support for selected graduate awards

Not every scholarship includes every item. Some awards pay the university directly, some provide a stipend, and some reimburse specific expenses under defined conditions.

Tuition and Study Costs

Canada does not have one national international tuition rate. Tuition varies by province, institution, program and level of study.

Statistics Canada reported national weighted-average tuition for international students at publicly funded Canadian degree-granting institutions of CAD 42,062 for undergraduate study and CAD 24,693 for graduate study for 2026/2027. The 2026/2027 data are preliminary.

The official national data also show substantial differences between fields. For example, the graduate averages published for 2026/2027 include approximately CAD 18,160 for humanities, CAD 20,174 for social and behavioural sciences and legal studies, CAD 29,412 for business, management and public administration, CAD 48,222 for regular MBA programs and CAD 95,691 for executive MBA programs.

These are national weighted averages, not guaranteed fees for a particular university. They also come from Statistics Canada's data for publicly funded degree-granting institutions; they should not be interpreted as a universal private-university tuition schedule.

Study Level / Field	2026/2027 National Weighted Average	Data Context
International undergraduate — all fields	CAD 42,062	Publicly funded Canadian degree-granting institutions
International graduate — all fields	CAD 24,693	Publicly funded Canadian degree-granting institutions
Graduate — Humanities	CAD 18,160	National weighted average
Graduate — Social and behavioural sciences, and legal studies	CAD 20,174	National weighted average
Graduate — Business, management and public administration	CAD 29,412	National weighted average
Graduate — Regular MBA	CAD 48,222	National weighted average

Statistics Canada publishes separate international undergraduate and graduate tuition tables by field. Because these figures are updated annually and the latest undergraduate table is preliminary for 2026/2027, applicants should use the official Statistics Canada table and their university's own fee schedule when calculating a real application budget.

Living Costs, Accommodation and Health Insurance

Scholarship applicants should budget for expenses beyond tuition even when applying for a major award. EduCanada currently provides indicative monthly estimates that vary according to city and lifestyle.

Expense	EduCanada Indicative Estimate	What Changes the Cost
Housing and accommodation	CAD 500–2,000 per month	City, residence type and whether housing is shared
Food and groceries	CAD 240–480 per month	Meal plan, cooking habits and location
Utilities and cable	CAD 100+ per month	Housing arrangement and included services
Internet	CAD 50–100 per month	Provider, plan and whether it is shared
Phone	CAD 60+ per month	Plan, device and data requirements
Health insurance	CAD 75–120 per month	Province, institution and student coverage rules

EduCanada separately advises international students to investigate health coverage with their institution because eligibility and insurance arrangements differ by province and territory. Some students may receive provincial coverage after meeting applicable conditions, while others must use a university or private insurance plan.

Accommodation may include campus residence, private rental housing or homestay arrangements. The right choice depends on the university, city, budget and availability, so applicants should review the housing information supplied by their institution before travelling.

EduCanada also states that international students should budget at least CAD 23,000 per year for living costs when planning study in Canada, with higher amounts possible when family members accompany the student.

Study Permit and Scholarship Holders

A scholarship does not automatically remove the need to comply with Canadian immigration requirements. Most international students need a study permit to study at a designated learning institution.

For study permit applications outside Quebec, applicants generally need to demonstrate financial support for themselves and accompanying family members. The financial requirement is separate from tuition and transportation and is updated periodically by IRCC.

Canada's current study-permit framework also uses provincial or territorial attestation requirements in many cases. There are important exemptions, including degree-granting master's and doctoral programs at public designated learning institutions starting January 1, 2026. Quebec generally uses the Quebec Acceptance Certificate process instead of a PAL/TAL where applicable.

Study-Permit Route	Main Document / Requirement to Check	Important Point
Study outside Quebec	PAL/TAL unless an exemption applies	Check the current IRCC exemption list
Study in Quebec	CAQ in applicable cases	Quebec uses its own acceptance process
Public DLI master's or doctoral degree beginning January 1, 2026	PAL/TAL exemption may apply	Confirm that the institution and program meet the exemption conditions
Global Affairs Canada scholarship recipient	Relevant scholarship documentation	IRCC lists an exemption from the PAL/TAL requirement for qualifying recipients

As of 28 September 2026, IRCC lists the study permit application fee at CAD 150. Applicants should check the official fee page immediately before submission because immigration fees and requirements can change.

Eligible international students may also be permitted to work off campus during regular academic sessions, subject to the conditions of their study permit. IRCC currently states that eligible students can work up to 24 hours per week during regular school terms and may work unlimited hours during scheduled breaks that qualify under the rules.

Required Documents

The exact document list depends on the scholarship and university. A strong preparation file commonly includes:

Valid passport or identity document
Academic transcripts
Degree, diploma or school completion evidence
Curriculum vitae or résumé where requested
Academic or professional references
Statement of purpose, personal statement or scholarship essay
Research proposal for relevant graduate opportunities
Proof of extracurricular, leadership or community activities where relevant
Proof of financial circumstances for need-based awards
English or French language evidence where required
Admission application materials required by the university
Additional forms specified by the scholarship provider

Do not send the same generic statement to every scholarship. The strongest application documents normally connect the applicant's academic preparation, intended program, documented achievements and future academic or professional objectives to the specific award.

For another example of scholarship application preparation, see the Open Doors Scholarship eligibility guide on MY TRKHAN.

How to Apply

Step 1: Choose the Study Level

Decide whether you are targeting undergraduate, master's, doctoral, exchange or research funding. This immediately removes many scholarships that are not relevant to your academic level.

Step 2: Search Official Scholarship Databases

Use the Government of Canada's EduCanada scholarship search tool first. Then review the official scholarship and funding pages of universities that offer your intended program.

Step 3: Separate Full Funding From Partial Funding

Create a simple comparison for each award: tuition coverage, residence, living support, travel, insurance, duration and renewal conditions. This prevents a large tuition award from being mistaken for a complete funding package.

Step 4: Check Admission Requirements

Read the program's academic prerequisites, language requirements, portfolio or research requirements and application deadlines. Some scholarships require admission applications before the scholarship application can be completed.

Step 5: Prepare the Evidence

Prepare transcripts, references, essays, financial documents and other supporting material early. Documents that require official signatures, translations or institutional verification can take additional time.

Step 6: Submit Through the Correct Route

Some scholarships accept direct applications, while others require school nomination, university nomination or application through a Canadian institution. Follow the route specified by the official scholarship page.

Step 7: Keep Immigration Planning Separate

After receiving an admission or scholarship decision, review the study permit requirements separately. Scholarship approval does not by itself guarantee study permit approval.

Common Mistakes and Preparation Tips

Calling Every Large Scholarship “Fully Funded”

Always read the award coverage. Tuition-only, partial tuition, stipend-based and short-term exchange scholarships have different financial implications.

Using Old Deadlines

Scholarship deadlines change. A date from an older cycle should never be copied into a new application without checking the current official announcement.

Ignoring Nomination Requirements

Some major awards require a school, university or other institution to nominate the applicant. If nomination is required, contacting the nominating institution early is essential.

Submitting a Generic Personal Statement

A scholarship essay should answer the actual questions asked by the provider. Explain your preparation, evidence, goals and reasons for applying rather than filling the essay with broad statements about studying abroad.

Ignoring Financial Documentation

Need-based awards can require detailed financial information. Prepare accurate records and do not exaggerate financial circumstances.

Relying on Scholarship Money for Immigration Proof Without Checking the Rules

Scholarship funding may affect the way you document your finances, but the relevant IRCC requirements still apply. Use the official immigration guidance for the specific application.

Paying Unofficial Agents for a Scholarship

Be particularly cautious when a person claims they can guarantee a Canadian scholarship or admission in exchange for a fee. Use the official university or government scholarship page to confirm whether an agent is part of the legitimate application process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada

1. Are fully funded scholarships available in Canada for international students?

Yes. International students can find scholarships and funding opportunities through Canadian universities and government-supported programs. However, coverage varies, so each award must be checked individually.

2. Which Canadian scholarship covers tuition and residence for undergraduate students?

The University of Toronto's Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is an example of an undergraduate award that covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years, subject to the program's eligibility and selection requirements.

3. Can master's students get fully funded scholarships in Canada?

Yes, funding can be available through university scholarships, research funding, assistantships and other awards. The availability and amount depend on the university, department, research area and funding package.

4. Is the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship still open?

No. The official Vanier website states that the program is no longer accepting applications and directs applicants to the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship–Doctoral program for the new harmonized doctoral scholarship framework.

5. Does a scholarship automatically cover the Canadian study permit requirement?

No. Scholarship funding and immigration requirements are separate. Applicants must follow the current IRCC study permit rules and provide the required documentation for their individual situation.

6. How much tuition do international students pay in Canada?

For 2026/2027, Statistics Canada's national weighted averages for publicly funded degree-granting institutions are CAD 42,062 for international undergraduate students and CAD 24,693 for international graduate students. Actual fees can differ substantially by university and program.

7. Can international students work while studying in Canada?

Eligible international students can generally work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular academic sessions and may work unlimited hours during qualifying scheduled breaks, provided they meet the applicable study permit conditions.

8. Is Study in Canada Scholarships a full degree scholarship?

No. The 2026–2027 Study in Canada Scholarships call supported short-term study or research rather than a general multi-year degree scholarship. Future calls should be checked separately because program terms can change.

9. Do Canadian scholarships require IELTS?

There is no universal IELTS rule for all Canadian scholarships. Language requirements normally depend on the university and academic program, and some institutions may accept different forms of language evidence or grant exemptions under their own rules.

10. Where should I search for Canadian scholarships?

Start with EduCanada's official scholarship search tool, then check the scholarship and funding pages of the universities and departments offering your intended program.

Official Sources / Official Resources

Final Thoughts

Finding a fully funded scholarship in Canada requires more than searching for a list of awards. The important step is matching your study level, academic profile, nationality, financial circumstances and intended program with the exact conditions of an official funding opportunity.

For undergraduate applicants, major university awards such as the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship and UBC's International Scholars Program provide examples of substantial institutional funding. For graduate applicants, research funding and university-based awards can be more important than a single nationwide scholarship. Government-supported programs may also provide valuable funding for eligible short-term study and research.

Before submitting an application, verify the award coverage, eligibility, nomination procedure, deadline, admission requirements and immigration requirements directly with the responsible university or government authority.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Scholarship availability, eligibility requirements, funding coverage, tuition fees, application periods, admission rules and Canadian immigration requirements may change. MY TRKHAN does not guarantee admission, scholarship selection, visa approval or funding. Applicants should verify all important details through the official scholarship provider, university and relevant Canadian government authority before applying.