Scholarships in Canada Series #2
For international students planning to pursue a full degree, diploma or other academic credential in Canada, one of the most important places to look for scholarships is often the institution itself.
Canadian universities and colleges may offer a range of scholarships, entrance awards and other forms of financial support for international students. Some awards are based primarily on academic achievement, while others may also consider leadership, extracurricular involvement, community contribution or financial need.
More importantly, not every scholarship requires a separate application.
Understanding the different types of institutional awards — and researching them early — can help students make more informed decisions when choosing where to study.
In Part 2 of Shaws Education’s Scholarships in Canada Series, we look at the main types of scholarships offered by Canadian post-secondary institutions and how international students can approach the search.
Why Look at Scholarships Offered Directly by Canadian Institutions?
As discussed in Part 1 of this series, many Government of Canada scholarship programs for international applicants are designed for specific groups, countries or short-term study and research opportunities.
Students planning to complete an entire undergraduate or graduate program in Canada should therefore also investigate scholarships offered directly by the universities and colleges they are considering.
According to EduCanada, funding for international students may be available through the Government of Canada, provinces and territories, and educational institutions. Many Canadian colleges and universities offer scholarships, and students are encouraged to contact institutions directly for information about available opportunities.
For prospective students, this means scholarship research should ideally begin at the same time as school and program research — not after an admission application has already been submitted.
1. Automatic Entrance Scholarships
Some of the easiest scholarships to overlook are awards that do not require a separate scholarship application.
At some Canadian institutions, eligible international students are automatically considered for certain entrance scholarships when they apply for admission by the required deadline.
These awards are often based on factors such as:
- Academic achievement
- Admission average
- Strength of the overall student profile
- Extracurricular involvement
- Community participation
The important point is that “automatic consideration” does not mean “automatic award.”
Students may automatically enter the scholarship selection process, but awards can still be highly competitive.
A Real Example: UBC Merit-Based Awards
The University of British Columbia (UBC), for example, automatically considers eligible international undergraduate applicants for certain merit-based awards when they apply by the admission deadline.
These include the International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) and the Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award.
For the 2026/27 academic year, UBC states that IMES awards are valued at CAD $10,000–$25,000 per year, with the award renewable for up to three additional years, subject to the applicable conditions.
This is a good example of why students should review the scholarship structure of each institution before applying: a strong application may be considered for admission and certain scholarships at the same time.
2. Application-Based Scholarships
Other scholarships require students to submit a separate application.
These opportunities may involve additional materials such as:
- Personal statements or essays
- Leadership experience
- Community involvement
- References or nominations
- Financial information
- Additional academic documentation
Deadlines for these scholarships may also be earlier than the regular admission deadline.
This is one of the most important details for international applicants to understand.
Waiting until after receiving an admission offer may mean that some major scholarship opportunities have already closed.
3. Merit-Based Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships recognize strong achievement.
While academic performance is often important, “merit” does not always mean grades alone.
Depending on the institution and award, selection may also consider:
- Leadership
- Volunteer experience
- Extracurricular activities
- Innovation or entrepreneurship
- Artistic or athletic achievement
- Contributions to school or community
- Other personal accomplishments
Students with strong academic records should therefore think about how their broader experiences strengthen their overall application profile.
4. Need-and-Merit-Based Awards
Some Canadian institutions also offer awards that combine academic achievement or leadership with demonstrated financial need.
These awards may involve a more detailed application process because students can be asked to provide information about their family’s financial circumstances.
UBC’s International Scholars Program is one example.
The program is intended for eligible international undergraduate students who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership and meaningful contributions to their communities, while also demonstrating significant financial need.
Unlike UBC’s automatic merit-based entrance awards, the International Scholars Program has its own application and nomination process.
This illustrates an important distinction:
Two scholarships at the same university may have completely different eligibility requirements and application procedures.
Students should never assume that applying for admission automatically puts them into consideration for every available award.
5. Program- and Faculty-Specific Awards
Scholarship opportunities may also exist within individual faculties, departments or academic programs.
For example, a university may have awards specifically for students entering areas such as:
- Business
- Engineering
- Science
- Agriculture
- Arts
- Technology
- Health-related programs
Graduate students may also find funding connected to research, teaching assistantships, supervisors, departments or specific research projects.
For this reason, students should look beyond the university’s main “International Student Scholarships” page.
The webpage for the specific faculty or program may contain additional funding opportunities.
6. Scholarships for Current International Students
Scholarship opportunities do not necessarily end after the first year.
Some Canadian institutions offer awards to international students who are already enrolled and have demonstrated strong academic achievement or other accomplishments during their studies.
UBC, for example, offers a range of awards for continuing international undergraduate students through faculties and external donors.
This means students should continue checking scholarship and award opportunities after arriving in Canada.
Strong academic performance during university can potentially open additional funding opportunities in later years.
Automatic vs. Separate Application: Know the Difference
When researching a scholarship, one of the first questions students should ask is:
Do I need to apply separately?
There are generally three possibilities:
Automatic consideration
You apply for admission and eligible applicants are automatically considered.
Separate scholarship application
You must complete an additional application by a specific deadline.
Nomination required
Your school, institution or another eligible organization may need to nominate you.
Missing this distinction can mean missing the scholarship entirely.
Don’t Choose a School Based on the Scholarship Amount Alone
A large scholarship can be attractive, but it should not be the only factor in choosing a Canadian institution.
Students should consider the complete financial and academic picture, including:
- Tuition after scholarship
- Whether the scholarship is one-time or renewable
- Renewal requirements
- Program length
- Estimated living costs
- Location
- Program quality and academic fit
- Admission requirements
- Career and academic goals
For example, a renewable scholarship may provide greater long-term value than a larger one-time entrance award.
Similarly, a lower-cost institution with a smaller scholarship may ultimately be more affordable than a higher-cost institution offering a larger award.
Start Your Scholarship Research Before You Apply
One of the best strategies for international students is to include scholarships as part of the school-selection process from the beginning.
When comparing institutions, create a simple scholarship checklist:
1. Does the institution offer scholarships to international students?
2. Am I automatically considered, or is a separate application required?
3. What are the eligibility requirements?
4. Is nomination required?
5. What is the scholarship deadline?
6. Is the award renewable?
7. What conditions must I meet to keep the scholarship?
8. What will my estimated tuition and living costs be after the scholarship?
This approach allows students to compare the real cost of studying, rather than comparing tuition fees or headline scholarship amounts alone.
Build Scholarships Into Your Canadian Education Strategy
Scholarship planning works best when it is integrated with the overall study plan.
At Shaws Education, we help international students explore Canadian universities, colleges and programs based on their academic background and future goals. As part of the school-selection and application process, students can also explore relevant institutional scholarship and entrance-award opportunities.
The objective is not simply to find the scholarship with the largest advertised value, but to identify a combination of program, institution, admission pathway and potential funding opportunities that makes sense for the individual student.
Planning to Study in Canada?
If you are considering Canadian universities or colleges, Shaws Education can help you compare programs, understand admission requirements and explore scholarship opportunities available through prospective institutions.
Contact Shaws Education to start building your Canadian education plan.
Official Resources
Scholarship availability, values, eligibility criteria and deadlines can change from year to year. Students should always verify current information directly with the institution before applying.
Recommended official resources include:
- EduCanada – Scholarships for International Applicants
- EduCanada – Study Costs for International Students in Canada
- EduCanada – Search for Scholarships
- Individual Canadian university and college scholarship and financial-aid pages
Example referenced in this article:
- University of British Columbia – Scholarships and Awards for International Students
- University of British Columbia – International Scholars Program
This article is intended for general educational information. Scholarship availability and eligibility are determined by individual institutions and scholarship providers. Shaws Education does not guarantee admission, scholarship eligibility or funding.
Scholarships in Canada Series
This is Part 2 of Shaws Education’s Scholarships in Canada Series.
Part 1:
Scholarships for International Students in Canada: What You Need to Know
Coming next – Part 3:
How to Find and Apply for Scholarships in Canada: A Guide for International Students
In Part 3, we’ll look at how to search for suitable scholarships, organize deadlines, prepare supporting documents and avoid common application mistakes.