$100,000–$500,000 Fully Funded BSc, Masters and PhD Scholarships for International Students 2026 in Canada

 

Studying in Canada can be life-changing, but international tuition fees, accommodation, food, transportation, books, health insurance, and other expenses can make the dream seem out of reach. The good news is that several Canadian universities, foundations, and government-supported programs offer substantial scholarships to international students.

Some of these awards can cover tuition and living expenses for several years. When the value of tuition, accommodation, stipends, travel support, and other benefits is added together, the total financial package can reach $100,000, $200,000, or even more over the full study period.

However, there is an important point to understand: a "$100,000–$500,000 scholarship" does not necessarily mean that one student receives a check for $500,000. In most cases, the figure represents the combined value of tuition coverage, living allowances, and other benefits throughout a multi-year degree.

This guide highlights some of the strongest fully funded scholarships in Canada for international students, covering bachelor's, master's, and PhD opportunities.

What Does a Fully Funded Scholarship in Canada Cover?

A fully funded scholarship is much more valuable than a simple tuition discount.

Depending on the program, funding may cover:

• Full or substantial tuition fees

• Accommodation or residence

• Monthly living allowance

• Books and academic materials

• Health insurance

• Travel or relocation expenses

• Research and conference funding

• Laptop or other academic equipment

• Visa or pre-arrival support

• Leadership and professional development

• Return transportation after graduation

The exact benefits vary considerably. Therefore, you should always read the official scholarship conditions before assuming that an award covers every expense.

The Canadian government's official EduCanada platform provides a searchable database of scholarship opportunities for international students and explains that some international applicants must be nominated or supported by a Canadian institution rather than applying directly. EEduCanada+1

1. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship — University of Toronto

If you are looking for a fully funded bachelor's scholarship in Canada, the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship should be near the top of your list.

The scholarship is offered by the University of Toronto to exceptional international secondary-school students who demonstrate academic excellence, creativity, leadership and the potential to make a positive contribution to the global community.

What makes the Pearson Scholarship especially attractive is its coverage. Successful scholars receive support for four years of undergraduate study, including tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support.

Only around 37 scholars are selected annually, making this an extremely competitive opportunity.

Who can apply?

For the current 2026/2027 application cycle leading to September 2027 entry, applicants must generally:

• Be international students requiring a Canadian study permit.

• Be in their final year of secondary school during the relevant academic year or have graduated no earlier than June 2026.

• Be beginning undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027.

• Receive a nomination from their secondary school.

The University of Toronto states that participating high schools can nominate only one student each year. For the current cycle, school nominations are due October 9, 2026, while the scholarship application deadline is November 6, 2026. Future U of Toronto

This scholarship is particularly suitable for students who have outstanding grades but also want to demonstrate leadership, creativity, community involvement, and a strong personal story.

University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson Scholarship

2. UBC International Scholars Program

The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers another major funding opportunity for international undergraduate students through its International Scholars Program.

This program is designed for international students with exceptional academic performance, significant financial need, and a history of leadership or meaningful community involvement.

UBC says its International Scholars Program includes several awards, including the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award, Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award, International Impact Award, and Vantage One Excellence Award. The Vantage One Excellence Award can reach the full cost of an academic program and living expenses.

The program is not simply based on grades. UBC conducts a financial assessment and expects applicants to demonstrate that they could not realistically pursue a UBC degree without significant financial assistance.

This makes it particularly attractive to high-achieving students from lower-income families.

Important 2026 deadline

For students targeting the next undergraduate intake, UBC's application cycle opens in early October 2026. The International Scholars Program deadline is November 15, 2026, while the general application deadline for the relevant Winter Session is January 15, 2027.

UBC also reports that it provides more than $35 million annually in awards, scholarships, and other financial support for international undergraduate students.

UBC International Scholars Program

3. McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University

For students interested in a fully funded master's degree in Canada, the McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill University is one of the opportunities worth serious attention.

The scholarship supports master's and professional degree programs at McGill University. It provides full tuition and fees, a living stipend of $2,300 per month during academic terms, summer funding options, and a relocation grant.

The program also goes beyond simply paying bills. Scholars receive mentorship, leadership development, and opportunities to participate in an interdisciplinary community.

International students are eligible, although the number of international awards is limited. For the 2027 cohort, the scholarship program states that up to 30 scholars will begin studies, including approximately 10 international students.

Who is eligible?

Applicants for the 2027 cohort generally need to be:

• Current students are on track to complete their first bachelor's degree by August 2027; or

• Graduates who earned their first bachelor's degree in the previous five years; or

• Older graduates who meet the program's age and graduation requirements.

Applicants must also meet the admission requirements for their intended McGill graduate program.

One important warning for international applicants: the international application deadline for the 2027 cohort was August 19, 2026. Therefore, students reading this in September 2026 should plan ahead for the next competition rather than assuming they can still submit an international application for that cycle.

McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill

4. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University is particularly important for international students from Africa.

It supports selected African students pursuing eligible graduate programs at McGill. The scholarship is comprehensive and can cover full international tuition, on-campus housing, a monthly personal stipend, academic resources, books, laptop support, and other costs associated with studying in Canada.

The program is aimed at future leaders who have demonstrated academic ability, community service, and leadership potential.

Eligible applicants must be citizens of and living in an African country and must be admissible to one of the approved McGill programs. The program also considers applicants who have experienced significant financial, social, personal, or practical barriers to education

For the 2026 cycle, McGill listed programs in areas including public health, public policy, sustainable agriculture, food science, biotechnology, biostatistics and selected thesis programs.

The scholarship is not available for undergraduate study at McGill. Its current program focuses on graduate-level opportunities.

The program's official information states that approximately 35 scholarships are available each year across 13 graduate programs.

McGill Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

5. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship is one of Canada's most generous doctoral funding opportunities, particularly for students in the humanities and social sciences.

For the 2027 competition, the Foundation states that scholars can receive an annual stipend of up to $50,000 for three years, plus an annual allowance of up to $20,000 for research, travel, networking, and related activities. That represents potential support of up to $210,000 over three years. Fondation Pierre Elliott Trudeau

International students are eligible if they are enrolled in a doctoral program at a Canadian university.

The program is highly selective and is designed for students whose research connects with major issues affecting Canada and the wider world.

Eligible research must broadly relate to the humanities or social sciences and align with at least one of the Foundation's four themes:

• Human Rights and Dignity

• Responsible Citizenship

• Canada and the World

• People and Their Natural Environment

Applicants must generally be in the first or second year of their PhD when applying.

For the 2027 competition, the eligibility verification process opened September 1, 2026, with the eligibility verification deadline on October 2 and the complete application deadline on November 6, 2026.

This is an excellent option for doctoral candidates who want more than financial assistance and are interested in leadership, public engagement, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship

6. Ontario Trillium Scholarship

International PhD applicants should also investigate the Ontario Trillium Scholarship.

The Ontario government describes the program as an award for top doctoral students from around the world studying in Ontario. The official provincial information currently lists the award at $40,000 per year, renewable for up to four years.

That can amount to approximately $160,000 over four years, making it one of the strongest doctoral funding opportunities for international students in Ontario.

The scholarship is generally handled through participating universities rather than through a simple central application. Each university selects candidates according to its own procedures and program requirements.

Because nomination procedures can differ between universities, prospective applicants should contact the graduate studies or scholarship office at their intended university well before the relevant deadline.

University of Toronto information, for example, lists the Ontario Trillium Scholarship at $40,000 for up to 48 months for international PhD students and indicates that it is nomination-based.

Ontario Government—Scholarships for International Students

7. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship: An Important Update

You may see the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship mentioned on many scholarship websites as a $50,000-per-year opportunity for international PhD students.

Historically, the Vanier program offered $50,000 per year for three years, and foreign citizens were eligible.

However, this is where applicants need to be careful.

The official Vanier website now states that the program is no longer accepting applications and directs applicants toward the new Canada Graduate Research Scholarship–Doctoral program.

Therefore, you should not treat Vanier as an active 2026 scholarship application simply because old scholarship articles continue to advertise it.

This is a good example of why scholarship seekers should verify every opportunity on an official university or government website before spending time preparing an application.

Bachelor's vs Master's vs PhD: Which Funding Is Easiest to Find?

If your goal is a fully funded education in Canada, your study level makes a significant difference.

Bachelor's degree

Full funding is possible, but it is extremely competitive. The strongest examples include the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto and UBC's International Scholars Program.

For undergraduate applicants, universities often place considerable emphasis on leadership, community involvement, academic excellence, and financial need—not simply examination results.

Master's degree

Master's funding is more varied. Programs such as the McCall MacBain Scholarship and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program can provide exceptionally comprehensive support, but eligibility is usually restricted to particular universities, programs, or applicant groups.

Research-based master's degrees can also provide university or supervisor funding that is not advertised as a traditional "scholarship."

PhD

Doctoral students generally have the widest range of funding options because Canadian universities and research institutions invest heavily in graduate research.

Opportunities such as the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship and Ontario Trillium Scholarship can provide six-figure total support over several years.

For PhD applicants, finding a potential supervisor whose research matches your interests can be just as important as searching for scholarships.

How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada

Winning a major Canadian scholarship requires more than submitting a form at the last minute.

Start by choosing your degree and target universities. Then identify scholarships that match your citizenship, academic level, field of study, and financial circumstances.

Next, prepare the core documents you will repeatedly need:

• Academic transcripts

• Degree certificates

• Curriculum vitae

• Statement of purpose

• Research proposal, where required

• Personal statement

• Leadership or community-service evidence

• Recommendation letters

• Proof of English or French proficiency

• Passport or identification documents

• Financial information, when required

Your personal statement should explain why you deserve the scholarship, what problem you want to solve, what you have already accomplished, and how your education will create measurable impact.

Avoid generic statements such as "Canada is my dream country." Scholarship committees want to understand your goals and the contribution you intend to make.

How to Increase Your Chances of Winning

The biggest mistake applicants make is applying only because they have excellent grades.

Top scholarships frequently look at the entire person.

For example, UBC's International Scholars Program considers academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and financial need.The Trudeau Foundation also looks for academic excellence, research quality, leadership potential, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to society.

So, build your application around evidence.

Instead of saying that you are a leader, explain what you actually led. Instead of saying that you care about your community, describe the project you organized, the people you helped, and the measurable outcome.

Your recommendation letters should also provide specific examples rather than simply describing you as "hardworking."

Finally, apply early. Some Canadian scholarships have deadlines months before university admission deadlines.

Beware of Scholarship Scams

Unfortunately, international students are frequently targeted by fake scholarship websites, fraudulent agents and social-media advertisements promising guaranteed Canadian scholarships.

A legitimate scholarship should have clear eligibility requirements and verifiable information on an official university, government, or foundation website.

The University of Toronto, for example, specifically warns applicants about fraudulent emails and unauthorized agents claiming to help students obtain the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship. U of

Never pay someone simply because they promise to "guarantee" a scholarship.

You should also be cautious about websites claiming that every international student can receive a $500,000 Canadian scholarship. Such claims are usually misleading. The value of a scholarship depends on its duration, tuition costs, living allowance, and individual terms.

For an updated list of Canadian scholarship opportunities, the official EduCanada scholarship search tool is a useful starting point.

EduCanada International Scholarship Search

Conclusion

Fully funded BSc, master's, and PhD scholarships for international students in Canada do exist, and some can provide more than $100,000 in total financial support when tuition, accommodation, stipends, research allowances, and other benefits are combined. The strongest opportunities include the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, UBC International Scholars Program, McCall MacBain Scholarships, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship, and Ontario Trillium Scholarship. However, these awards are highly competitive, and each has different eligibility rules. The smartest approach is to start early, choose scholarships that genuinely match your profile, prepare a compelling application, and verify every deadline directly with the university or funding organization. Most importantly, don't be discouraged by the competition: a well-researched application that clearly demonstrates academic ability, leadership, financial need, research potential and future impact can put you in a much stronger position to study in Canada with little or no personal tuition burden.