Canada offers a mix of full, need-based, merit-based and partial scholarships for international students. Not every award in this guide is fully funded. Always check the current university or Government of Canada page because award values, deadlines and application routes can change.
International students can find scholarship funding in Canada through universities, provincial programmes and Government of Canada initiatives. The important distinction is that these awards do not all work the same way: some are substantial need-based packages, some are entrance awards, some support graduate research, and some government programmes are short-term exchanges rather than full degrees.
This guide is designed as a starting point for finding legitimate Canadian scholarships and understanding who actually submits each application.
Canada Scholarships: What International Students Should Know
According to EduCanada, scholarship funding for international students is available through the Government of Canada, provinces and territories, and individual educational institutions. International students should also budget carefully because scholarships do not automatically cover the full cost of studying and living in Canada.
Use the official EduCanada scholarships for international applicants page and its scholarship search tool to identify programmes matching your citizenship and study profile.
1. UBC International Scholars Program
The University of British Columbia’s International Scholars Program is intended for international undergraduate applicants with strong academic achievement, leadership and significant financial need. It is different from UBC’s merit-only entrance awards and has its own nomination/application process.
Because the programme is need-based, the value of an award can depend on demonstrated financial need and the cost of study. For September 2027 entry, UBC says applications open in early October 2026 and the deadline to apply to UBC and submit the International Scholars award application is 15 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Applicants need a school nominator and a teacher referee.
Official source: UBC scholarships and awards for international students.
2. UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES)
UBC’s International Major Entrance Scholarship is a merit-based award for outstanding international students entering undergraduate study. Eligible students are considered through the admissions process; it should not be confused with the need-based International Scholars Program.
For the 2026/27 award year, UBC listed IMES values of CAD $10,000–$25,000 per year, renewable for up to three additional years subject to the programme’s conditions. Because values can change, check UBC for the year you apply.
3. University-Specific Entrance Scholarships
Many Canadian universities offer entrance scholarships or awards to international students. Examples include institutions such as York University, the University of Calgary, McGill University and Simon Fraser University. Award names, values, automatic-consideration rules and deadlines can change, so use each university’s official financial-aid or awards page rather than relying on an old fixed amount.
Entrance awards are often partial funding. Receiving one does not necessarily mean your tuition and living costs are fully covered.
4. Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS)
The Government of Canada’s Study in Canada Scholarships support eligible international students undertaking short-term study or research exchanges in Canada. Nigeria is among the eligible Sub-Saharan African countries for the 2026/27 programme.
This is not a direct individual application. Canadian post-secondary institutions apply and select eligible participants in collaboration with partner institutions. For 2026/27, the Canadian-institution application deadline was 31 March 2026 and the application period is now closed.
Official source: Study in Canada Scholarships.
5. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship programme supports eligible master’s and doctoral students at participating Ontario institutions. Application procedures and deadlines are administered through participating universities, and international-student eligibility should be checked with the institution where you intend to study.
Because OGS is not a universal full-cost scholarship, applicants should compare the award with tuition and living expenses before describing their funding plan as “fully funded.”
6. Canada Graduate Research Scholarship — Doctoral and Other Research Funding
Graduate-research funding in Canada has changed. The former Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships programme is no longer accepting applications and directs prospective applicants to the newer harmonized Canada Graduate Research Scholarship — Doctoral programme.
This means older scholarship lists that still tell students to prepare a new Vanier application are outdated. If you are seeking doctoral research funding, check the current federal research-agency and university guidance for citizenship and institutional eligibility before applying.
7. University Graduate Funding Packages
Canadian universities may provide graduate students with combinations of scholarships, fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships and supervisor funding. Universities such as Dalhousie and the University of Saskatchewan have their own graduate-funding processes, but the amount and eligibility can depend on programme, department and admission cycle.
For research degrees, review the funding information for your exact department instead of assuming a university-wide scholarship automatically applies to every international graduate student.
Scholarships for Nigerian Students in Canada
Nigerian students can compete for many university awards open to international applicants and are currently included among the eligible nationalities for the Government of Canada’s Study in Canada Scholarships short-term exchange programme. Eligibility still depends on the individual scholarship.
For more targeted options, see our guides to Canada scholarships for African students, Canada scholarships and pathways for Nigerian students with lower CGPA, and Canada public-health scholarships for Nigerian students.
How to Find Legitimate Canada Scholarships
- Start with EduCanada’s official scholarship search.
- Check the official awards page of the Canadian university you plan to attend.
- Confirm whether the student applies directly or whether a Canadian institution must submit the application.
- Check whether the award is full funding, partial funding, an entrance award or a short-term exchange scholarship.
- Verify the current deadline and award value before preparing your application.
- For graduate research, check both the university and the relevant Canadian research-funding agency.
How Much Does Studying in Canada Cost?
EduCanada reports average 2026 university tuition of about CAD $41,746 per year for international undergraduate students and CAD $24,028 for international graduate students. Actual costs vary significantly by programme and institution. Students must also budget for living expenses and satisfy current study-permit financial requirements.
This is why a CAD $5,000, $10,000 or even $20,000 entrance scholarship should not automatically be described as “fully funded.” Compare the award value with your complete cost of attendance.
Application Tips
- Start with eligibility: Do not spend weeks preparing an application until you have confirmed citizenship, study-level and programme requirements.
- Use official sources: Scholarship aggregator pages are useful for discovery, but verify every deadline and amount on the institution’s website.
- Understand nomination rules: Some awards require a school, university or Canadian host institution to nominate or apply for the student.
- Prepare strong application materials: Use our guides to scholarship essays and recommendation letters.
- Plan the study permit separately: A scholarship offer does not remove the need to satisfy Canada’s immigration requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Canada scholarships for international students fully funded?
No. Canadian funding includes full or substantial need-based awards, partial entrance scholarships, research funding and short-term exchange scholarships. Always check the exact coverage.
Can international students apply directly for Government of Canada scholarships?
Not always. For Global Affairs Canada programmes such as Study in Canada Scholarships, international students do not submit the application directly; Canadian institutions apply or administer the selection process.
Is the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship still open?
No. The official Vanier website says the programme is no longer accepting applications and directs prospective applicants to the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship — Doctoral programme.
Can Nigerian students apply for Study in Canada Scholarships?
Nigeria is an eligible country for the 2026/27 Study in Canada Scholarships programme, but students must meet the programme conditions and the Canadian institution handles the application/selection process. The 2026/27 institutional application period is closed.
Related AfricanBase Guides
- Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada for African Students
- Canada Scholarships for Nigerian Students With Lower CGPA
- Canada Public Health Scholarships for Nigerian Students
- Fully Funded vs Partial Scholarships
- Student Visa Guide for Nigerians
Final Note
Canada has meaningful scholarship opportunities for international students, but there is no single list that remains accurate indefinitely. Treat this page as a discovery hub, then verify the current award, application route and deadline with EduCanada or the Canadian institution before applying.
