Which scholarships can I apply for to lower the cost of my master's in Canada?
International students can lower the cost of a master's in Canada through the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, the doctoral-level Canada Graduate Research Scholarship (which replaced Vanier), research assistantships, teaching assistantships and university entrance merit awards. Amounts vary by university, programme and research project, so confirm current figures with each department.
You have several funding routes to bring down the cost of a master's in Canada, and most depend on your grades and on whether your programme is research based. The main options are entrance awards, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship and assistantships, while the doctoral-only Canada Graduate Research Scholarship has replaced Vanier. Typical amounts run from CAD 1,500 to 4,000 (approx INR 1.01 L to 2.70 L) per term for teaching roles, and up to CAD 15,000 (approx INR 10.14 L) per year for OGS.
Popular scholarships and funding options
| Funding option | Who it suits | Typical coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Research Assistantships | Thesis-based master's or PhD students who support faculty research projects | Stipend plus tuition support, varies by university and project |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) | Master's or PhD students at eligible Ontario universities with a strong record | 10,000 to 15,000 (approx INR 6.76 to 10.14 L) per year |
| University entrance merit scholarships | Applicants to specialised master's or PG diploma programmes with strong grades, GMAT scores or professional achievements | 2,000 to 10,000 (approx INR 1.35 to 6.76 L) as a partial tuition waiver |
| Graduate Teaching Assistantships | Graduate students who tutor, grade or assist professors | 1,500 to 4,000 (approx INR 1.01 to 2.70 L) per term |
Matching the funding to your profile
- If you plan a thesis-based master's, research assistantships can combine a stipend with tuition support.
- If you are heading to an eligible Ontario university with a strong academic record, look at OGS.
- If your programme is specialised or a PG diploma, entrance merit awards may reward grades, GMAT scores or work achievements.
- Vanier no longer accepts applications and its replacement is for doctoral candidates only, so it will not apply to a standard course-based master's.
My Advice
Shortlist universities partly by the funding they offer, and write to each department early to ask which awards your programme can access and whether any can be held together. Check the official scholarship page for the current cycle before you build your budget.
This information is available on: vanier.gc.ca
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