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Canada scholarship; Study cheap with Canada Scholarships

If your dream is to study for free in Canada or at least study for less, the Canada scholarship will make your dream come true. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about scholarships in Canada from A to Z and help you learn how to get a scholarship from Canadian universities.

What is a Canada scholarship?

Scholarships are financial aids given to students to help reduce the financial burden of tuition fees. Canadian scholarships do not require repayment and are usually awarded based on factors like academic merit, strong academic performance, high grades, and achievements in academics, arts, and sports.

Types of Scholarships in Canada

To utilize the Canada scholarship, you first need to recognize the types of scholarships:

Merit-Based Scholarships

These types of scholarships are based on the student’s academic merit and are provided by government sources, private companies, or universities. This type of scholarship is also referred to as a fellowship. To receive this Canada scholarship, applicants must meet academic qualifications such as a high GPA, publications, and sometimes a suitable English language score or GRE test score.

Grants and Bursaries

These are related to situations where a student is in financial need and receives help from a source. In these cases, the student’s academic qualifications are not taken into account. These types of financial aids are less often considered for international students.

Loans for Canadian Students

Student loans are also available for foreign students, just like for Canadian citizens. This means that they must repay these loans at the same interest rates as Canadian citizens. Foreign students wishing to benefit from student loans must apply through private banks in Canada.

Teaching Assistants (TA)

Working as a teaching assistant or instructor is one way for master’s and PhD students to secure funding. In this role, they help professors with the teaching and learning processes, and in exchange, they receive compensation. To apply for this type of funding, you need to have high scores on tests like TOEFL or IELTS or their equivalents.

 

Research Assistantships (RAs)

Master’s and often doctoral students can also apply for funding through participation in research activities that are typically not related to their thesis. These roles usually involve 15 to 20 hours a week, and students are selected by a specific department or faculty for these activities.

Scholarship Providers in Canada

Scholarships in Canada are offered by the Canadian government, non-governmental organizations, and universities to both domestic and international students. Here’s an overview of each organization and their scholarships:

Government Scholarships in Canada

Most Canadian government scholarships are aimed at domestic students. These scholarships include:

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

Government-funded scholarships for international students intending to pursue graduate studies in natural sciences, social sciences, and health research.

Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program

Funding for Canadian students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs at a Canadian university.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program

The Canadian government provides funding for international PhD students intending to pursue studies in social sciences and humanities, natural sciences, engineering, and health sciences. This scholarship is awarded for three years, providing CAD 50,000 per year to students.

IDRC Research Awards

Scholarships from the Canadian government for students from developing countries who wish to conduct research at the master’s or doctoral level at a recognized Canadian university.

NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships

This scholarship is for students with excellent academic credentials who plan to study natural sciences or engineering at one of Canada’s reputable universities. It is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Organization of American States (OAS) Academic Scholarship Program

This Canadian government scholarship is offered by the Organization of American States (OAS) to students who are members of this organization and its countries (including selected countries in Latin America and the Caribbean) and intend to continue their graduate studies at a recognized university in Canada.

Anne Vallee Ecological Fund

This scholarship is aimed at international students pursuing a PhD who wish to study animal research at one of the esteemed Canadian universities in Quebec or British Columbia.

Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships

The Trudeau Foundation offers several scholarships and fellowships to international doctoral students studying at selected universities and institutions in Canada.

Carleton University Awards for International Students

Carleton University’s scholarship in Canada covers all graduate students and is automatically awarded to submitted applications.

Concordia University International Undergraduate Awards

Awards and scholarships for international undergraduate students studying at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

Dalhousie University Scholarships

Scholarships for current and future domestic and international students at all levels studying at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

McGill University Scholarships and Student Aid

The scholarship program in Canada specifically for McGill University students who are enrolled in graduate and post-doctoral studies.

Queen’s University International Scholarships

A number of scholarships at Queen’s University in Ontario are available for international students as well as students from India, Pakistan, and the USA.

UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award

The University of British Columbia offers this scholarship based on academic merit to undergraduate students. Applicants must demonstrate leadership skills and a strong academic record.

University of Alberta International Scholarships

The University of Alberta provides a range of scholarships for international students pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies.

University of Calgary International Scholarships

The University of Calgary has a variety of scholarships for its international students, ranging from $500 to $60,000 CAD.

University of Waterloo International Funding

Various funding options are available for international students at the University of Waterloo pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees.

Simon Fraser University Financial Aid and Awards

A large number of scholarships and other financial aid are offered to both domestic and international students studying at Simon Fraser University.

Western University International Admission Scholarships

Western University’s scholarships for international students who are accepted into the university.

York University International Student Program

York University offers several scholarships to undergraduate students.

University of Manitoba

A scholarship for studying at the University of Manitoba in Canada, awarded to international students in undergraduate and graduate programs.

University of Toronto Ontario Graduate Scholarship

The University of Toronto offers this scholarship to both domestic and international students who are studying at the graduate level.

The University of Toronto in Canada has established a scholarship called the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship in memory of those who lost their lives in the PS752 Ukrainian Airlines plane crash in January 2020. The first of this type of scholarship was awarded to Iranian students in May 2021. The eligibility criteria for this scholarship are as follows:

You must be a citizen of Iran.

You should be accepted into the University of Toronto for undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral studies, or you should currently be a student there.

You need to be studying Iranian Studies. You can apply to study Iranian Studies from any field.

This scholarship has been awarded to Iranian students since 2021 and will continue in the following years. The amount and number of scholarships vary.

Eligibility criteria for studying in Canada

To apply for and receive various scholarships for studying in Canada, you need to meet specific criteria at different education levels, which we will outline below.

Eligibility criteria for high school scholarship in Canada

International students studying at the high school level in Canada must pay tuition and are not eligible for scholarships.

Read more: Study in Canadian schools

Receiving a scholarship for colleges in Canada with a diploma is limited to $1,000 to $5,000, provided as a tuition discount. Required conditions:

Achieving excellent grades in the last two years of high school

Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent

Having a record of extracurricular activities

Demonstrating leadership skills (if applicable)

The opportunity to receive scholarships at the undergraduate level in Canada is very limited. Typically, scholarships at this level are awarded based on academic merit.

Required conditions:

A GPA above 18 in the last two years of high school

Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent

Achieving top academic or athletic rankings (if applicable)

Receiving a scholarship for a master’s program in Canada is possible, but it’s mostly for research-based courses, and most universities don’t provide scholarships for coursework-based programs.

Requirements:

A minimum GPA of 17 or higher (it’s possible to receive a scholarship with a lower GPA if the resume and research background are strong)

A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent scores in most disciplines

Having published scientific articles in recognized foreign and domestic journals

Having a patent or published book (if applicable)

Read more: Master studies in Canada

For a PhD in Canada, scholarships are usually available. The amount of the scholarship in Canada for a PhD depends on various factors such as the university’s budget, the budget allocated by the supervisor for the project, the funds they have, and also the level of the student’s ability.

Requirements:

A minimum GPA of 17 or higher (it’s possible to receive a scholarship with a lower GPA if the resume and research background are strong)

A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent scores in most disciplines

Providing a GRE score above 300 even if it’s not part of the requirements for the scholarship

Having published scientific articles in recognized foreign and domestic journals

Having a patent or published book (if applicable)

PhD studies in Canada

Should I apply for a scholarship in Canada or will I be automatically evaluated?

In some universities or programs, you need to submit a separate application for a scholarship and upload the relevant documents. The way to search for these types of scholarships in Canada is very important, and even more important is how to gather the documents for the application.

At RainCity, we refer to scholarships as “automatic” and “manual.” Stay with us to become more familiar with this definition.

Automatic scholarship

These scholarships in Canada don’t require a separate application. As long as you apply for your desired program, your file will also be automatically reviewed for these funds. So, just like an automatic car, keep your hands on the wheel and drive forward. Usually, you can find this statement for these types of scholarships on university websites:

Merit-based awards

As soon as you receive an offer of admission to UBC, you’ll automatically be considered for these merit-based awards. Consideration is based on your demonstrated academic achievement and your extracurricular involvement.

University of Toronto’s comments about scholarships for undergraduate studies

Eligible high school students are automatically considered for a variety of admission scholarships when they apply to the University. There are also admissions scholarships that require a separate application, and others that require you to complete an awards profile.

Note, however, that the value of scholarships is rarely sufficient to cover all costs the student will incur while attending University of Toronto.

Get acquainted with an example of this scholarship:

All admitted students, including international students, are automatically considered for admissions scholarships. However, these awards tend to be fairly competitive because of the large volume of excellent students who apply to the University of Toronto each year. Please note that the admission awards, which are certainly a great help, are not designed to cover the full cost of international tuition so it is best to have other funding plans as well.

The U of T Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is U of T’s most prestigious and competitive scholarship for international students. It covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years. The scholarship is tenable only at U of T.

For information on admission awards that may require an application, please refer to the awards sorter.

The University has comprehensive scholarship programs that recognize outstanding achievement at different levels of study. The University, its colleges, faculties and divisions award approximately 5,000 admission scholarships that total nearly $23 million and nearly 5,800 in-course awards each year.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Public Repository as part of Award Explorer! The Award Explorer is the University of Toronto’s new awards system – a centralized, searchable database from admissions to in-course and graduating awards. It supplements existing resources and aims to make it easier for you to explore awards at U of T.

Non-automatic scholarship, manual transmission

At some universities or programs, you need to send a separate application to apply for the scholarship and upload the relevant documents. How to search for these types of scholarships is very important, and even more crucial is how to gather the documents to proceed.

Some universities, like the University of Toronto, have created a separate page for searching scholarships, making it a bit easier.

How to get a scholarship in Canada?

Well, the answer to this question is obvious: you need to search and then apply!

But how do I search?

First, you need to do thorough and precise research. As always, the best place for research is Google. Search for your field and level of study, and examine the Google results one by one.

For instance, to search for funding for a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, type this phrase in Google:

“Scholarship for Master of Mechanical Engineering in Canada”

With this method, you can see all the universities that provide your results on Google, and now it’s time to review each one of them.

You need to visit the university’s website and the mechanical engineering department and see what options are available for you. Check whether you need to apply for the scholarship separately or if your file will be reviewed automatically. (Automatic scholarship or manual transmission scholarship)

In addition to searching on Google, we will introduce other resources for searching for scholarships in Canada.

Reliable websites for searching for Canadian scholarships

How do I apply for a Canadian scholarship?

Applying for automatic and non-automatic scholarships is somewhat different. In the following, we will explain how to apply for each category of these scholarships.

Applying for automatic scholarships in Canada

As we mentioned earlier, for automatic scholarships, there’s no need for a separate application; when you apply for your desired study program, your scholarship application is also automatically reviewed at the same time. However, note that there are differences in the application process depending on the level of education and the type of program:

If you’re applying for a bachelor’s or a course-based master’s program (which doesn’t require a thesis or a supervisor), from the outset, once you choose the university, program, and gather the necessary documents, create an account in the Apply section of the university’s website and send your information and documents online to the university. Then, if you meet the academic qualifications, your request for a scholarship in Canada will be automatically reviewed at the same time. There’s detailed and complete information on how to apply on the Canada application page.

If you’re applying for research-based master’s programs (which require a supervisor before applying) or for a Ph.D., the application process differs from the first scenario. Since the scholarships in these levels are mostly offered by the supervisor and through positions as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA), you need to find a supervisor for your future thesis before applying for your desired program and level. After getting approval from the supervisor, you should proceed to apply at that university. For this type of application, follow these steps:

1. Create a list of Canadian universities that offer your desired program and level of study.

Identify universities from your list that have your research-based master’s or Ph.D. program. Pay attention to the necessary admission requirements while preparing your list. Separate those universities where your qualifications, such as GPA, language scores, research experience, etc., align with the requirements of that university and program.

2. Prepare a list of university professors with relevant research areas.

After compiling your list of universities, it’s time to select professors for correspondence. On the department’s website for your desired program, look at the profiles of all faculty members in the Faculty Member section, and choose professors whose research areas and interests align with yours.

Even if there are professors whose research areas are not exactly like yours and they have worked in interdisciplinary fields, add them to your list as well.

3. Start contacting university professors in Canada.

Now that your list of professors has been finalized, you should begin communicating with them and sending emails. In your first email, try to impress the professor.

But how? Think about all the details. Don’t repeat the information from your resume in the email. Write a brief summary of your educational background, research history, and research interests, focusing on the positive and unique aspects of your resume. Keep it short and to the point. Make sure there are no grammatical errors.

Attach your resume along with the translated degree and transcripts from your bachelor’s and master’s degrees (if available).

4. After finding a professor and getting their approval, apply to the university.

You might email dozens of professors but receive no response or get negative replies. This is normal and nothing to worry about. Try to email as many professors as you can. Ultimately, if a professor responds and invites you for an interview to discuss further details, be sure to prepare in advance and practice possible questions and how to answer them.

In the interview, if the professor talks about the conditions for receiving a scholarship, try to speak convincingly and demonstrate that you are worthy of receiving that scholarship.

If the interview is successful, the professor will ask you to apply to the university. So, prepare all necessary documents for your desired program and submit the online application to the university.

In the online application, wherever the name of the supervisor is requested, enter the professor’s name from Canada, and wherever you are asked about your willingness to receive a scholarship in Canada, make sure to answer those questions positively and check the appropriate option.

5. Receive the university acceptance letter along with the scholarship letter.

After one to several months, you’ll receive your acceptance letter. Usually, the acceptance letters include your personal information, details about your program and university, and the name of your supervisor. If you’ve received any scholarships, the letter will also specify the exact details like the amount of the scholarship, the number of years you’ll receive it for, and the type of funding.

Scholarship information for Canada is either mentioned in the acceptance letter or sent in a separate letter. After you receive the acceptance, make sure to inform your supervisor.

6. Confirm your admission for the desired term at that university.

After receiving the acceptance, most universities require you to confirm your acceptance (Admit Offer).

To do this, log into your online portal and select the Confirm Offer or Yes option in the relevant section.

7. Send your educational documents to the university.

After receiving your acceptance and scholarship for Canada, all universities will ask you to send a paper file with the translated version of your degree and academic transcripts. The translations must be official, meaning they should have the seal of the judiciary and be placed in a sealed envelope from your university, which should then send them to the Canadian university.

On the PhD study page in Canada, there’s more complete information on how to contact professors in Canadian universities and how to apply for a PhD. The information there is also applicable for applying to research-based master’s programs.

Applying for non-automatic scholarships in Canada

For non-automatic (manual) scholarships, you need to apply separately for opportunities offered by government entities, NGOs, or some universities. This means that if you’re applying for a specific program and degree at a Canadian university, you also need to send a separate application for the desired scholarship opportunity at that university or other governmental or non-governmental entities.

In most cases, the condition for getting a Canadian scholarship for non-automatic scholarships is that you must be accepted into or currently studying at one of the Canadian universities. Therefore, if you haven’t yet been accepted or registered at a university, you usually won’t be able to apply for these types of scholarships.

One of the differences between applying for non-automatic scholarships and automatic ones is that you don’t need to correspond with a professor in advance to get their approval for your application. Instead, once you identify the scholarship opportunity you’re interested in, you enter its website and gather the necessary documents according to the guidelines. Then, create an account, fill in the required information, and upload your documents to submit your online application.

Some scholarship opportunities in Canada do not require an application fee and are free of charge.

Important tips for getting a Canadian scholarship

Make sure to carefully search for and explore all opportunities available at universities and government and non-governmental institutions.

Take deadlines seriously and submit the best possible application before the deadline.

Try to make yourself stand out from others.

Study and follow the application instructions meticulously.

Write a very strong cover letter.

Be realistic.

Documents required for a Canadian scholarship

To obtain a Canadian scholarship, you need to submit documents that vary based on the type of scholarship, the organization providing the scholarship, the level of study, and the field of study.

University acceptance letter or related documents regarding enrollment and study at a Canadian university (for non-automatic scholarships).

A scanned translation of your bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates and transcripts (if available), along with a Persian copy.

Language proficiency transcript.

Submitting a scanned transcript or, if necessary, sending it from an accepted testing center is acceptable.

Resume (CV).

Statement of Purpose or, in some places, Motivation Letter.

Two or three recommendation letters from professors or employers.

Submitting recommendation letters may be done online or on paper, depending on the scholarship’s requirements.

Writing Sample.

This usually includes essays, sections of your thesis, or research projects you’ve previously completed. Some universities or scholarship-providing organizations set a maximum page limit for this, so you should submit your writing sample according to their guidelines. This document is only requested for some types of scholarships.

Portfolio.

Some scholarship organizations in Canada for fields like architecture, art, and related disciplines require a portfolio. A portfolio is a summary of projects and works done in that specific field, presented visually with explanations in a file. Usually, each organization has its own specific guidelines for preparing the portfolio.

One or more published research papers in reputable journals.

If possible, upload your English articles related to your research area with your Canadian supervisor to the application and send them to the university. If you cannot send complete articles, just send the abstract of each.

Research Proposal

Some universities require a proposal for scholarship acceptance. The proposal is a document of about 3,000 to 4,000 words where you need to explain the topic and methodology of your future dissertation research.

Scan of a valid passport

What does full-funded scholarship in Canada mean?

Full-funded means financial support provided by universities, governmental, or non-governmental organizations in Canada to both domestic and international students, covering all their tuition and living expenses.

There is a higher chance of receiving a full-funded scholarship at the doctoral level compared to other educational levels.

An example of a full-funded scholarship in Canada

The image below shows part of the full-funded letter from one of the clients of RainCity, who has been accepted into a PhD program in Mathematics at Concordia University. The total scholarship amount exceeds 100,000 Canadian dollars, which completely covers tuition and living expenses for four years. Therefore, this scholarship makes studying free for the student:

How much is the scholarship in Canada?

The answer to this question is very relative. Colleges and universities may offer only a few hundred or a few thousand dollars solely in the form of tuition discounts. They may also provide partial funding that covers tuition and part of living expenses. Lucky individuals with a strong academic resume may receive a full scholarship that covers all tuition and living expenses in Canada.

Consider the examples below:

Example of scholarship conditions at Canadian colleges

Humber College offers a $2,000 (two thousand dollars) tuition discount to ten applicants each term under the following conditions:

GPA higher than 17 out of 20

IELTS over 6.5 or equivalent TOEFL and Duolingo scores

Example of bachelor’s degree scholarship conditions in Canada

McGill University offers 60 scholarship opportunities ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 at the undergraduate level. To qualify for these scholarships, you need to meet the specific requirements of this university.

Example of scholarship conditions for master’s and doctoral programs in Canada

Students at the University of Waterloo received an average scholarship of $28,000 at the master’s level and $37,000 at the doctoral level.

Scholarship search tools at some universities can help you estimate the amount of scholarship you might receive. For example, try the tool available on the University of Waterloo’s website.

 

What fields does Canada offer scholarships for?

Canadian universities generally provide scholarships for most fields of study, which include:

Fields in science such as biology and all its subfields, chemistry, physics, computer science, and related fields

Health sciences

Engineering fields like mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, and other engineering disciplines

Humanities fields like geography, social sciences, language education, and other areas in this field.

Management, finance, and economics

Arts and architecture

Among the fields listed above, science and engineering disciplines usually have more scholarship opportunities than others. Below, we will mention the types of scholarships available for various fields at several Canadian universities.

University NameScholarship ProgramsTypes of Scholarships
McGill UniversityBachelor's Degree:Music & Medicine & Dentistry & and Health Sciences & LawEntrance Scholarships & Entrance Bursary Program
Master’s Degree: All FieldsDissertation Awards & Weston Fellowship
Doctorate: All FieldsDissertation & Convocation Awards & Tomlinson Doctoral Fellowships & Weston Fellowships
University of British ColumbiaBachelor's Degree: All fieldsInternational Major & Entrance Scholarship & Outstanding International Student Award & International Community Achievement Awards
Master’s and Doctorate: All fieldsAffiliated Fellowships Master’s Program & Affiliated Fellowships Doctoral Program & British Columbia Graduate Scholarship & International Tuition Award
McMaster UniversityBachelor's Degree:Programs in the Faculty of Science and Arts & Business & Engineering & Health Sciences & Humanities & Sciences & Social SciencesMcMaster University Award of Excellence & Faculty-specific Achievement Award & sFaculty Administered Award
Bachelor's Degree:All FieldsInternational Renewable Entrance Awards & Provost Entrance Scholarship for International Students
Master’s and Doctorate: Programs in the Faculty of Science Richard Fuller Memorial Scholarships for Science & Molson C. Cain Graduate Award
Master’s and Doctorate:Programs in the Faculty of Science and Health SciencesThe Lorne F. Lambier & Q.C. Scholarship
University of OttawaBachelor's Degree: All fields in the Faculty of Arts & Faculty of Engineering & and Faculty of Science Faulty of Arts Dean’s Merit ScholarshipFaculty of Engineering Dean’s Merit Scholarship & Faculty of Science Undergraduate Research Scholarship
Master’s and Doctorate: All fieldsSpecial Merit Scholarship & International Doctoral Scholarship

Which are the best universities in Canada for scholarships?

Generally, top-tier public universities in Canada receive more funding for supporting outstanding students due to their significance. In contrast, private universities, smaller universities, or those with lower rankings get less funding from the Canadian government and private organizations and offer comparatively fewer scholarships.

 
University NameNational RankGlobal Rank
University of Toronto 1 26
McGill University 2 27
University of British Columbia 3 46
University of Montreal 4 111
University of Alberta 5 126
McMaster University 6 140
University of Waterloo 7 149
Western University 8 170
University of Ottawa 9 230
University of Calgary 10 235

How likely is it to get a scholarship in Canada?

Well, the reality is that the odds of receiving a scholarship in Canada look pretty good on paper. Take a look at this screenshot taken from the University of British Columbia’s website:

This university offers over thirty million dollars a year in scholarships. Scholars from over 105 nationalities benefit from these scholarships. But the truth is, these scholarships are competitive, and you need to have a really strong academic record to secure one of them.

What are the chances of getting a scholarship in Canada without a publication?

If you’re applying for graduate programs like a research-based master’s or PhD in Canada, the fact is that having publications and research experience is one of the main factors for getting a scholarship in Canada. So, if you haven’t published any papers in reputable journals, your chances of getting a scholarship decrease.

Of course, getting a scholarship without a publication is not impossible, and based on our experience at RainCity, we’ve managed to help some applicants secure scholarships in Canada even without publications. But this is only possible if your application is strong in other areas, such as having language scores above the university’s minimum requirement, a high GPA in previous studies, relevant work experience, professional skills related to your field of study, and any other factors that could make your application stand out against other competitors.

Conditions for receiving a scholarship in Canada without a publication

To get a scholarship in Canada without a publication, you should meet the following conditions:

A GPA of 18 or higher

An IELTS score of 7 or higher (equivalent scores to IELTS are also accepted)

No academic gaps

Good and relevant work experience

Teaching experience

Having academic honors like top academic rankings or being an outstanding student in class or university

Holding relevant professional certifications related to your field of study

Ways to increase your chances of getting a scholarship in Canada

To increase your chances of getting a scholarship in Canada, you can improve certain factors in your resume. Among the important factors for receiving a scholarship, your GPA cannot be changed, so if you have an average GPA, there’s no way to boost it. Instead, by enhancing other factors like your language score, publishing papers, writing a professional motivation letter, or obtaining relevant specialized certificates, you can increase your chances of getting a scholarship.

Getting a language score higher than the university’s minimum requirement: If you’re applying for a program that requires an IELTS score of 6.5 or the equivalent, to stand out from your competitors and boost your scholarship chances, we recommend aiming for an IELTS score of 7 or higher. So, keep this in mind and dedicate more time to preparing for the language test to achieve a higher score.

Publishing a paper: If getting a scholarship in Canada is important to you, make sure to submit your application with a strong profile. If you don’t have published papers in reputable foreign journals, definitely work on this and publish at least one or two ISI papers in respected foreign journals before submitting your application for the university scholarship or Canadian government scholarship.

Writing a strong motivation letter: The motivation letter is one of the critical documents for gaining admission and receiving scholarships from Canadian universities. The more professionally you write your motivation letter, clearly justifying your academic goals and properly aligning your research area with the university’s research fields, the higher your chances of receiving a scholarship in Canada will be.

Obtaining specialized certificates: Although providing specialized certificates related to your field of study is not mandatory for receiving a scholarship in Canada, completing specialized courses and obtaining certificates can enhance your chances of getting the scholarship.

What is the required language certificate for obtaining a scholarship in Canada?

In non-engineering fields, all Canadian universities require an English language certificate with a score of over 6.5 in the IELTS exam and a score above 90 in the TOEFL exam for scholarship applications. However, in engineering programs, some universities will consider your application with a lower IELTS score.

If you don’t have a language score, you can reach out to professors, but we really don’t recommend doing that. Basically, you’re kind of hurting your chances without wrapping things up. Of course, in special cases where your academic profile is very strong and you believe that a potential supervisor will take a special interest in you, you can apply and let the professor know that you will obtain your language certificate soon.

At RainCity, we’ve handled countless cases, and in some instances, we have seen that when professors are very impressed with your resume, they don’t pay much attention to your language score. Just remember that after getting the professor’s approval, you also need the department’s approval. So in these situations, ask the professor to also support you with the department so that they provide you with enough time to submit your certificate.

The best time to apply for a Canadian scholarship

The sooner you start applying for a scholarship in Canada, the better. However, you should navigate according to the university’s website and the information available on it. For starting studies in the September term, most universities accept scholarship applications between September and December of the previous year. Some even extend to February and March.

Likewise, for starting studies in the January term, universities accept scholarship applications between April and July of the previous year.

If you’re outside Canada and haven’t received admission from a university yet, you generally need to apply for a scholarship in Canada 8 to 12 months before the start of the academic term.

How much does it cost to apply for a scholarship in Canada?

To get a scholarship in Canada, most of the time you don’t need to pay any fees. At most universities, when you apply, you are automatically considered for a scholarship based on your academic background and resume.

So, you only pay one fee, which is the application fee for the university, and you don’t need a separate fee to apply for the scholarship. The application fee at most Canadian universities is between $100 and $150.

However, at some other universities or private centers and research institutes that offer scholarships to students every year, you need to submit a separate application to receive any type of scholarship. In this case, you fill out a separate application. Even in this situation, universities and other scholarship providers operate in two ways: you can submit your application either with an application fee or without paying the application fee to the desired center.

Scholarships in Canada for Iranians

Usually, all university scholarships in Canada available for international students also include Iranian students, unless a specific country is mentioned in the funding conditions and Iran is not on that list.

Government scholarships in Canada mostly cover domestic students, and some of these scholarships, like the Vanier Government Scholarship, are available for international students as well. Unfortunately, Iran is not on the list of countries eligible for this type of scholarship.

How does getting a scholarship in Canada affect living costs for students?

Receiving a scholarship in Canada significantly reduces living expenses for students. Some scholarships in Canada only cover tuition costs, but other scholarships, like the full scholarship in Canada, cover all expenses, including living costs.

Therefore, with a full scholarship in Canada, you won’t need to spend money on student living expenses. This scholarship covers not just tuition but also housing, food, transportation, and other related expenses like health insurance.

Reasons for rejection of scholarships in Canada.

Applying for scholarships in Canadian universities can be rejected for several reasons:

Not having a high GPA: Students applying for scholarships in Canada usually meet the minimum GPA required for admission to their chosen university. However, since competition for Canadian scholarships is fierce, just having the minimum GPA isn’t enough. Typically, students who successfully receive Canadian scholarships have GPAs that are higher than the minimum required for university admission.

For instance, most Canadian universities require a minimum GPA of 3.0 for entry into master’s and doctoral programs, but it’s better to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher to receive a scholarship.

Academic gap: If your education hasn’t been continuous and you, for example, didn’t start your master’s program right after finishing your bachelor’s degree, and there’s a gap between these two stages, your scholarship application may be rejected. Unless you can convincingly justify this academic gap.

Research area not aligned with Canadian professors’ research areas: When applying for a university scholarship, it’s crucial for your interests and research area to align with those of the professors at that university. Therefore, if you’ve previously conducted research in a field that isn’t related to the professors’ research areas, there’s a chance your application for a Canadian scholarship could be denied.

Applying late for the scholarship: If you want to receive a Canadian scholarship, you need to submit your application to the university or organization a few months before the application deadline. Due to the high number of applications and budget constraints, scholarships are usually distributed among qualified students who apply early. Scholarship applications submitted close to the deadline may be rejected.

Frequently asked questions

Is having a good entrance exam score important for getting a scholarship in Canada?

No, the entrance exam scores do not affect getting a scholarship in Canada. What matters is having a high GPA, a strong language score, and research experience for graduate studies.

The amount of scholarship available in Canada varies and can range from a thousand dollars to several tens of thousands of dollars. Scholarships can cover part of the tuition fees or all of the student’s tuition and living expenses. Our suggestion is to start your studies even if you receive the minimum scholarship at first, as many scholarship opportunities will arise later on.

Yes, it’s possible, but it only applies to domestic students in Canada. In medical and dental programs, entry capacity is very limited, so one shouldn’t count on getting a scholarship. The reality is that when someone gets admission in these fields without a scholarship, they consider themselves lucky. Like everything else in this world, when there’s limitation, and supply is low while demand is high, competition rises, and universities offer medical and dental scholarships to only a limited number of their domestic students.

Yes. Generally, large companies and organizations provide funding for research and development to universities, and professors distribute parts of these research projects to students based on the budget they have, offering a type of stipend in return. In addition to university scholarships, various government and non-government scholarships are available each year for students to apply for while studying at the university.

In general, scholarships are not available for English and French language courses in Canada.

Yes, a language certificate is one of the main documents required for obtaining a scholarship in Canada for international students, and the score varies depending on the scholarship conditions.

 

Get a language score higher than the university’s minimum requirement.

Publish reputable scientific papers like ISI. If you have a paper, try to write more and get them published in credible journals.

Write a strong and professional motivation letter for scholarship applications.

Obtain specialized certificates in your field of study.

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