Canada has been home to around 3,30,000 Indian students in 2023. It is one of the most affordable places to study abroad, but managing your fee requires considerable time and effort. Indian students of good merit are offered various scholarships at universities and colleges in Canada to help pay for their studies. The best solution for facing problems in paying the fees of your studies is to apply for scholarships for Indian students in Canada. The scholarship in Canada can be of three variations: university-funded, government-funded, and non-government-funded.
Popular Government-Funded Scholarship for Indian Students in Canada
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1. Vanier Graduate Scholarships
The Vanier Graduate Scholarship is named after Major-General Georges P. Vanier, Canada’s first francophone Governor General. This scholarship helps the Canadian institution to attract qualified doctoral students.
| Eligibility Criteria | Benefit | Number of Awards |
| 1. The scholarship is for doctoral students 2. You should have Indian citizenship 3. You should be nominated by only one Canadian institution, which must have received a Vanier CGS quota 4. You should not have already received a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC to undertake or complete a doctoral program | ₹41,70,682 is given annually for 3 years | 166 scholarships are awarded annually, and up to 500 scholarships are active anytime |
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Documentation Required
- ResearchNet application form
- CCV
- Personal leadership statement (maximum 2 pages for English applications)
- Special circumstances (maximum 1.0 page, optional)
- Research proposal (maximum of 2 pages for English applications; maximum of 2.5 pages for French applications)
- Research contributions (maximum one page)
- Two leadership letters of reference (maximum 2 pages)
- Project references (maximum 5 pages)
How to apply?
There are two ways in which applications can be submitted. Either way, the student informs the faculty of graduate studies at the chosen institution about his intent to apply for Vanier CGS, or the institution initiates the nomination process through contact with an interested candidate. Applications shall be drawn up by the student and submitted to the nominating institution by the internal deadline. The nominating institution shall carry out the internal selection of candidates. The deadline for the application is the 1st of November, and the result will be notified by 1st of April.
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Restriction
The scholarship applies only to areas of research for
- Health research
- Social sciences and humanities
- Natural sciences and/or engineering
Any Additional Information
- The selection criteria will be academic excellence, research potential and leadership.
2. Ontario Graduate Scholarship
Ontario Graduate Scholarship proposes to award scholarships to graduate students in the Ontario region of Canada. It is a merit-based scholarship funded by the Province of Ontario and the University of Toronto.
| Eligibility Criteria | Benefit | Number of Awards |
| 1. You must have a student study permit visa under a temporary resident visa 2. You should be registered or have an intention to register for a programme in the year 2024-2025 | ₹ 4,17,068 will be awarded in each academic session, which is applicable only for 1 year. So, if you have 3 academic sessions in 1 year, then ₹ 12,51,204 will be awarded depending on your program. | Maximum 5 |
Documents Required
- 10+2 mark sheet
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- Previous awards/publications/conference/research experience
- Plan of study (Maximum 2 pages: 1 page for Plan of Study, 1 page for references/citations)
- Two academic references (referees will be required to submit online).
How to apply?
You must complete and submit the OGS application form on the internally decided deadline. Before applying, you must refer to OGS application instructions. Once submitted, your application will be made available for the proposed graduate for review and consideration.
Restrictions
- The OGS restricts students from receiving an OGS for a maximum of six years and prohibits them from holding any other government-funded award simultaneously
- You should not have exceeded the lifetime maximum support from the government fund.
3. Ontario Trillium Scholarship
Ontario Trillium Scholarship is provided to attract the best quality of Indian and international students for doctoral research studies. This scholarship is provincially funded to the deserving candidates.
| Eligibility Criteria | Benefit | Number of Awards |
| 1. You must have a valid Canadian permit visa 2. You should be proficient in English by the time of application 3. You should have the intent to register in a doctoral-level program | Approximately ₹ 24,15,742 is awarded to the researchers | Approximately 15 Trillium scholarships are awarded to doctoral researchers at the University of Toronto. |
Documentation Required
- Copy of all the past university transcripts
- A valid Canadian study permit visa
- A copy of the applicant’s average calculation
- Proof of standardized tests like IELTS, SAT, etc.
- letter of recommendation
- list of the applicant’s research contributions
- list of awards and scholarships received by the applicant
- Applicant’s CV
- Candidate’s plan of studies
- The OTS letter of support from an authorized supervisor
- Fitness certificate
Restriction
- You should not currently study at an Ontario postsecondary institution’s undergraduate or graduate level.
- You must not concurrently hold an Ontario Graduate Scholarship {OGS), Vanier scholarship or other scholarships.
4. IDRC Research Awards
IDRC Research Awards are offered to citizens of developing countries enrolled in doctoral or master’s degrees at a recognized university. Research award recipients are supposed to join IDRC for a one-year paid program to research the subject they have submitted.
| Eligibility Criteria | Benefit | Number of Awards |
| 1. You must have Indian citizenship. 2. This scholarship applies to students who have enrolled for a master’s or doctoral degree or have completed a master’s or doctoral degree within the last three years. | 1. Awardees are given employment insurance, employer health tax, the Canada Pension Plan, and paid vacation leave. 2. Some travel and research expenses are also supported, up to a maximum of ₹ 9,05,620. 3. Annual value ranges from ₹ 25,37,728 – ₹ 29,37,770 | 70 awards are awarded annually to deserving candidates |
Documents Required
- Research Proposal
- Approval from the research supervisor
- Two recommendations
- Letter of affiliation
- Official transcripts
Popular University-Funded Scholarship
1. University of Alberta International Country Scholarship
This scholarship is exclusively for students admitted to the University of Alberta International Country scholarship
| Eligibility Criteria | Benefit | Number of Awards |
| Students must have graduated from a high school in India and have less than 24 IB, AP, or A-Level credits when beginning their undergraduate program at the University of Alberta. | ₹ 4,17,068 is awarded in the first year of the university | Variable |
Documents Required
- Past mark sheet from high school
- Offer letter of acceptance from the University of Alberta
How to apply?
You will be considered for the award after you get admission to the University of Alberta. The selection will be based on academic excellence.
Restriction
Transfer candidates are not eligible for the award.
2. University of Waterloo International Student Entrance Scholarship
The University of Waterloo provides this award to first-year students. This scholarship is open for any undergraduate program.
| Eligibility Criteria | Benefit | Number of Awards |
| 1. You should be admitted with an admission average of 90% or above and will be considered. 2. Your admission Information Form (AIF) may also be considered. 3. Euclid Math Contest results(for mathematics students only) | ₹ 8,34,136 will be awarded to the selected students | 20 awards will be awarded to deserving candidates from the undergraduate program |
Documents Required
10+2 mark sheets
How to apply?
There is no requirement to fill out the application form for the scholarship from the university.
3. McGill University Scholarships and Student Aid
Why study in Canada?
Canada is one of the most welcoming countries for international immigrants. It’s home to many world-ranking universities and top-class faculty, which will help students prepare for their future. Canada is one of the best places for research scholars as the government supports various disciplines. Among other countries, Canada is a comparatively affordable country for Indian students.
Students can avail of various scholarships and take internships or co-op work placements, which can help them pay for their education and, moreover, get work experience. The recent rise in immigration proves that Canada is a safe and culturally diverse society where international students enjoy the same rights and freedom as any other Canadian citizen. Indian students will feel like a home away from home. Furthermore, with vibrant and lively campus life, they will never feel left out.
Brief Recap
Getting a scholarship in Canada for Indian students is very competitive, so you should research suitable scholarship that aligns with your interests. You should also be aware of the deadline to apply. Besides the scholarships, there are additional ways of funding your studies in Canada, like part-time jobs or internships. As studying in Canada is the dream of thousands of students, it’s always good to have alternate options instead of relying on one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do all the universities in Canada offer Scholarships to Indian Students?
A. No, Indian and Canadian students are not eligible for free university education in Canada. However, an Indian student is eligible for scholarships and can be fully supported or receive a full tuition scholarship.
Q. What is an international entrance scholarship?
A. Non-renewable international entrance scholarships are awarded for students’ first year of study. International transfer students will only be considered for an entrance scholarship if fewer than 31 credit hours are transferred. If the student has successfully obtained a scholarship, they will be notified.
Q. Is it easy to get a scholarship in Canada?
A. Different types of scholarships have other eligibility criteria. To qualify for a scholarship, you must be in good academic standing. In most cases, Canadian universities and colleges ask for a minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent grade in your secondary and higher secondary.
Q. How do I get a scholarship in Canada for Indian students after the 12th?
A. To qualify for a scholarship to Canada for Indian students after 12th grade, a student must have passed the 12th grade examination with a score of at least 80%. In addition, the parental income of students should not be more than INR, at 4.5 lacs per annum.
Q. What are the requirements to get a scholarship in Canada?
A. In the case of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programmes at Canadian institutions, students need to be registered and able to participate. In addition, students can also be entitled to other scholarships, such as university scholarships, out-of-school scholarships or 3rd Party Scholarships.
Q. What minimum percentage is required for a Canada scholarship after the 12th?
A. To qualify for higher education, universities in a few parts of Canada, such as Quebec, require students to be able to speak French. The minimum percentage for Canada after the 12th is 65% for humanities and 70-80% for commerce and science.
Q. How can I increase my chances of getting a scholarship in Canada?
A. In Canada, the following requirements apply to applications for scholarships.
1. Good grades. Most Canadian scholarships are based on merit, so you must get a good grade if you have any chance.
2. You have to pass a language proficiency test.
3. Extracurricular activities.
Q. Which exam is required for a scholarship in Canada?
A. IELTS, TOFEL, etc., are some English language proficiency tests available to students from India and worldwide. The required scholarship that most universities in other countries take into account can also be awarded based on an excellent IELTS score.
Q. How many bands are required for scholarships in Canada?
A. International students wishing to study in Canada’s universities and colleges shall have a score of no less than 5.5 on each of the four sections of the IEI, with or without an Overall Minimum Score of 6.0 bands.
Q. When to apply for scholarships in Canada?
A. Usually, all the scholarships have different internal deadlines, but every 12th grade year, it opens and closes. Most scholarships in Canada are offered between December and May, but a few will be left before or after this time.
Q. At what percentage can I get the scholarship?
A. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on merit, which means you’re more likely to get a scholarship when your grades improve. Scholarships are usually granted to students who have passed the 12th-grade examinations with a minimum score of 60% or 80%.
Q. Is the scholarship exam hard?
A. It can be pretty tiresome to prepare for a scholarship exam. It is not only for the scholarship exam that you must be studying but also in school. You can build a perfect balance between both if you take good care of your time. You’ll get the maximum of your time with a structured approach.
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