Scholarships & Financial Aid for International Students in Canada
One of the most common questions international students ask when considering studying abroad is this:
““Are scholarships or financial aid available?””
For students interested in Canada, the answer is yes—but it’s important to understand how funding works. Canadian financial support for international students is usually a combination of scholarships, university-based awards, and part-time work opportunities, rather than large full-ride financial aid packages that some students expect from U.S. universities.
Understanding the different types of funding available can help students plan realistically and make informed decisions.
Government Scholarships
Canada does offer some government-funded scholarships, but these are generally limited in number and highly competitive. Many are also targeted at graduate students, researchers, or students from specific countries or regions. Graduate students should check out EduCanada’s list of government scholarships to determine their eligibility for these scholarships.
Examples include:
Government-sponsored international scholarship programs
Research-based funding for graduate students
Country-specific scholarship partnerships
For undergraduate students, government scholarships are relatively rare, and students should not rely on these as their primary funding source.
Instead, most international students receive funding through universities themselves.
University-Based Scholarships
The most common source of funding for international students in Canada comes directly from the universities.
These scholarships may include:
Entrance scholarships based on academic achievement which are generally given upon admission, these are automatically awarded – no application necessary.
Competitive scholarships requiring a separate application; these scholarships are usually substantially larger than the merit-based scholarships. In addition to merit, students need to show leadership and community involvement. Some competitive scholarships that can cover over 50% of an international student’s tuition are the President’s International Distinction Scholarship at the University of Alberta and the Trent University’s Trent International Global Citizenship Scholarships and Awards.
Continuing & Graduating Scholarships give international students funding opportunities for subsequent years. These scholarships are generally open to both national and international students.
Some universities like MacEwan University automatically assess students for scholarships when they apply for admission, while others require students to submit additional scholarship applications or essays.
Scholarship amounts vary widely. They may range from a few thousand dollars to significant multi-year awards, depending on the institution and the student’s academic and extracurricular activity profile.
Students with strong grades, leadership experience, and community involvement often have the best chances of receiving these awards.
Merit-Based vs. Need-Based Aid
Another important difference students should understand is how Canadian funding differs from the U.S. system.
In the United States, many universities offer need-based financial aid, where funding is determined by a family’s financial circumstances.
In Canada, however, most funding for international students is merit-based. Some of the best merit based scholarships are found at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Windsor.
This means scholarships are typically awarded based on:
Academic achievement
Leadership experience
Community involvement
Extracurricular accomplishments
Need-based financial aid for international students is much less common in Canada, but sometimes, students will notice that needs-based information is included in the application-based scholarship application. The University of Alberta offers a separate needs-based scholarship, the Cora Martinson International Scholarship.
Students should still plan to fund a significant portion of their education through family resources, supplemented by scholarships and part-time work.
Work Opportunities for Students
Another way students help fund their studies in Canada is either through part-time work while studying or including a paid internship or co-op work experience program to their degree.
International students with a valid study permit are typically allowed to:
Work part-time during academic terms
Work full-time during scheduled breaks
Obtain a co-op work permit if they engage in a co-op or internship program
Many students find part-time jobs on or near campus, which can help cover personal expenses such as transportation, books, and daily living costs.
The universities that are tops in providing Co-op Work Experience programs are No. 1, the University of Waterlooand No. 2, the University of Alberta.
While student employment can be helpful, it is important to remember that part-time work is not intended to pay full tuition costs.
Planning Your Funding Strategy
When planning to study in Canada, students should think about funding as a combination of resources, including:
Family financial support
University scholarships
Smaller external awards
Part-time work while studying
Students who research universities carefully and apply early often have more opportunities to receive entrance scholarships and other forms of support.
Final Thoughts
Canada offers excellent universities and strong career opportunities for international students, but funding works differently than many students expect.
Rather than relying on a single large financial aid package, most students succeed by combining scholarships, family resources, and work opportunities to support their education.
With careful planning and the right university choice, studying in Canada can be both academically rewarding and financially manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pakistani students get financial aid in Canada?
Yes, you can. Financial aid might be in the way of a scholarship, bursary, emergency loans or needs-based work incentives offered by the university.
Can I get a full-ride scholarship?
Yes, but not very often. The University of Toronto is one of only a few universities that give fully funded scholarships to undergraduate students. Several universities, mainly the University of Alberta and Trent University cover anywhere from 65% to 100% of tuition depending on program taken.
How do I get a scholarship?
The first step is to apply for admission. For merit-based scholarships, you will be automatically considered for it based on your admission offer. There are also application-based scholarships that require an application often due well before the application deadline.
Can I work in Canada while studying?
Yes, international students can work part-time (as per government set hours), full time during holidays and also as part of a paid internship or co-op work experience program.
If you would like guidance on choosing Canadian universities and finding scholarships, you can contact Go 2 Canada Education Services for support and advice.