Top Canadian Universities Offering Scholarships in 2025

Many students dream of studying in Canada, but the cost of tuition and living expenses can feel too high. Luckily, there are many schools in Canada that offers scholarships both full and partial in 2025. These scholarships can make it much easier for international students to study in one of the best education systems in the world.

In this guide, we’ll look at Canadian universities that give financial support, explain the difference between full and partial scholarships, and share helpful tips on how to apply successfully.

Why Scholarships in Canada Matter in 2025

Studying abroad is expensive. Tuition, housing, and everyday costs can add up quickly. Scholarships make education more affordable and give talented students from around the world a fair chance.

In 2025, Canada continues to attract thousands of international students. To keep education accessible, many universities are offering more scholarships than ever before. Some are based on academic achievement, others on financial need or community involvement.

Scholarships also help universities attract the best students, which improves their international rankings and reputation. So, scholarships benefit both students and the schools that award them.

Types of Scholarships: Full and Partial

Before we explore the list of schools, it’s important to understand two main types of scholarships:

Full Scholarships: These usually cover everything : tuition fees, housing, health insurance, and sometimes even books and travel costs.
Partial Scholarships: These cover only part of the expenses, such as a portion of tuition fees or a one-time award.

Full scholarships are harder to get because they are limited and very competitive. Partial scholarships are more common and can still reduce costs significantly.

1. University of British Columbia (UBC)

UBC is one of the most generous schools in Canada. It offers several scholarships for international students such as:

Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award: A one-time entrance award worth up to CAD 25,000.
International Leader of Tomorrow Award: A need-based scholarship that can cover up to full tuition depending on financial need.

UBC invests millions of dollars every year to support talented international students. Applicants are automatically considered for many scholarships during the admission process.

Tip: Submit your application early, include complete documents, and maintain strong grades and extracurricular achievements.

2. University of Toronto

The University of Toronto offers a wide range of scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship: This is one of Canada’s most famous full scholarships. It covers tuition, books, residence, and other expenses for four years.
President’s Scholars of Excellence and U of T Scholars Program: These partial scholarships reward students with excellent academic records.

You are automatically considered for most entrance awards when you apply for admission.

Top-Canadian-Universities-Offering-Scholarships-in-2025

3. University of Waterloo

Waterloo is known for its focus on innovation and research. It offers:

International Student Entrance Scholarships worth up to CAD 40,000.
Faculty-specific awards, especially in Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics.

Some scholarships are automatic, while others require a separate application and essays.

Tip: Strong grades in science and math programs increase your chance of receiving funding.

4. Université de Montréal (UdeM)

This university offers a tuition fee exemption scholarship that reduces or removes the extra tuition fees international students usually pay. The exact amount depends on your academic performance.

If you keep good grades, the scholarship can continue throughout your studies, making UdeM one of the most affordable top schools for international students.

5. University of Calgary

Calgary provides several entrance awards for international students, including:

International Entrance Scholarships valued between CAD 10,000 and 20,000.
Graduate scholarships and research assistantships that can cover most or all costs for master’s and PhD students.

The awards recognize academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement.

6. York University

York offers both full and partial scholarships for international students.

President’s International Scholarship of Excellence: A renewable scholarship worth up to CAD 45,000 per year.
York University Automatic Entrance Awards: Partial awards based on high school grades.

Students with strong academic results and leadership experience have a higher chance of being selected.

7. McGill University

McGill is one of Canada’s most respected universities. It offers several scholarships, including:

McCall MacBain Scholarship: A fully funded program for master’s and PhD students covering tuition, living expenses, and mentorship.
Entrance scholarships for undergraduates worth up to CAD 12,000.

McGill looks for academic excellence and strong community service.

8. Carleton University

Carleton offers entrance scholarships between CAD 4,000 and 16,000 for international students with high grades.

It also provides research and teaching assistantships for graduate students that can cover tuition and living costs.

9. University of Manitoba

This university provides International Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships and Graduate Fellowships. Awards can reach up to CAD 18,000 per year.

Manitoba also offers bursaries to students who demonstrate financial need, making it a great option for those looking for extra help.

10. Simon Fraser University (SFU)

SFU offers both entrance and continuing scholarships for outstanding international students. Awards range from CAD 5,000 to 20,000 and can be renewed yearly.

SFU focuses on rewarding consistent academic performance and leadership.

How to Improve Your Scholarship Chances

Winning a scholarship takes planning. Here are some practical tips:

Apply early – Don’t wait until the deadline. Applying early gives the admissions team more time to review your file.
Keep strong grades – Most scholarships are based on academic excellence.
Write a clear and honest personal statement – Explain your goals, achievements, and why you deserve the award.
Participate in community service or leadership roles – Many scholarships reward social impact, not just grades.
Get good recommendation letters – Ask teachers or mentors who know you well to write detailed letters.
Double-check your documents – Missing or incorrect paperwork can ruin your chances.
Apply to several schools – Don’t limit yourself to one university. Each school has its own funding options.

Full vs Partial Scholarships: What to Expect

Full scholarships are ideal, but they are very competitive. They often go to students with outstanding grades, leadership skills, or research potential.

Partial scholarships are more common. They might not cover everything, but they still help reduce costs. For many students, a combination of partial awards, part-time jobs, and budgeting makes studying in Canada affordable.

For example:

A student from India receiving a CAD 20,000 partial scholarship from UBC still needs to cover housing and food, but tuition is mostly handled.
A PhD student at McGill under the McCall MacBain program has all expenses covered and can focus fully on studies.

Where to Find Reliable Scholarship Information

Always rely on official and trustworthy sources when looking for scholarships:

University financial aid or awards web pages
The official Government of Canada “EduCanada” website
Scholarship databases such as ScholarshipsCanada and Yconic
Student forums and alumni groups for personal advice

Avoid websites that ask for payment to “guarantee” scholarships. Legitimate scholarships are always free to apply for.

Challenges Students Face

While scholarships are great opportunities, students should be aware of a few challenges:

High competition: Many students apply for the same awards.
Limited full scholarships: Only a few students get 100% funding.
Proof of funds: Even with partial awards, you still need to show financial proof for visa purposes.
Renewal requirements: Many scholarships need you to maintain a certain GPA to continue receiving them.

Being aware of these challenges helps you plan ahead and stay realistic.

There are many schools in Canada that offers scholarships both full and partial in 2025. From UBC and the University of Toronto to McGill, York, and Calgary, opportunities are open to students who work hard and apply early.

A scholarship can turn your dream of studying in Canada into reality. Start preparing now, focus on your grades, craft a strong personal statement, and explore multiple universities. Even a partial scholarship can open the door to world-class education and a bright future in Canada.