Top Scholarships for International Students Studying in Canada

A photo of a Canadian city with a graphic of a Canadian flag in the top left corner.

Studying abroad as an international student is an investment in your future, but it can be pricey. Expenses for tuition, books, food, and housing quickly add up. Luckily, there are many scholarships, grants, bursaries, and awards that can help you finance your study abroad journey. Here, we’ll explore different types of scholarships from three leading academic institutions across Canada. Keep reading to learn more about your options!

Please note that the information provided below is subject to change. Please refer to the university and college’s websites for the most up-to-date information.

The Memorial Building at the University of Prince Edward Island campus.

University of Prince Edward Island

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) is the most affordable university on Canada’s East Coast and awards entrance scholarships to international students who demonstrate academic excellence. These scholarships are given yearly to students who join the University of Prince Edward Island from high schools in Canada and other countries. Scholarship amounts range from C$1,000 to C$3,000. To apply, students must meet eligibility requirements, such as strong academic performance, participation in extracurricular activities, and compelling recommendations from teachers. 

Once international students complete their first year of studies at the University of Prince Edward Island, they’re eligible for Celebrating Student Achievement, the university’s guaranteed scholarship program for undergraduate students in their second, third, and fourth years. This merit-based scholarship ranges from C$500 to C$3,000.

For more information, refer to the University of Prince Edward Island’s main scholarship and awards page.

Tip: While researching scholarships, make a list of due dates and the supporting documents you’ll need for each scholarship. Also, remember to begin your scholarship applications early. Certain scholarships may require supporting documentation that will take up more of your time, so do yourself a favour and start well before the deadline.

A photo of Coast Mountain College's campus.

Coast Mountain College

Coast Mountain College has recently begun offering 30 International Student Entrance Awards. Each award is valued at C$2,200 and is given to new international students who are enrolled in the following programs: 

The application process for this entrance scholarship involves three steps. The first two steps are fairly straightforward. Students are asked to submit their study permit, confirmation of enrollment, and other basic information. However, for the third step, international students must complete the International Student Entrance Award application and submit a video testimonial. 

The International Student Entrance Award will be given to students the term after the refund deadline. Please note that international students who are funded by a ministry, government, or Global Affairs scholarship are not eligible to apply. 

Students at Coast Mountain College may also be eligible for a number of scholarships awarded by external organizations, so be sure to check out the university’s external award and funding page for more details.

How to Choose Where to Study in Canada

A photo of Brescia University College's campus.

Brescia University College

At Brescia University College, International Entrance Scholarships are automatic and guaranteed depending on a student’s final admission average. Depending on the student’s average, the International Entrance Scholarship amount can range from C$2,500 to C$5,000. These entrance scholarships are renewable if international students maintain an average of 80% or higher on 5.0 courses taken simultaneously in the September to April term while registered at Brescia University College. 

Brescia also offers Automatic Awards to students from secondary school who are entering year one of the following programs: 

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Family Studies
  • Foods and Nutrition 
  • Social Sciences 
  • Management and Organizational Studies 

To be eligible for Automatic Awards, international students must be registered in full-time studies and maintain a minimum average of 82%. These awards can be held in conjunction with an Entrance Scholarship from Brescia. 

Various Application Awards may be available to international students who study at Brescia. Students may be eligible for the BresciaLEAD Excellence Award, Brescia Community Leader Award, Global Leader Bursary, Hong Kong Partner Award, Maple Leaf Community Award, Mara Thompson Community Award, and many more.

 Please visit Brescia’s website to learn about all of your options.

Curious about provincial scholarships in Canada? Learn more about scholarships in Western Canada, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.


Investing in your future by studying abroad doesn’t have to be as expensive as it may seem. Research all of your scholarship options to help you offset costs, and begin the application process early. 

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