October 11, 2025 
Canada continues to attract international students due to its high-quality education, diverse population, and promising post-study work opportunities. However, tuition and the cost of living can be a source of sticker shock. Thankfully, there are hundreds of scholarships in Canada available to international students, including those from India, that can help alleviate some of the financial stress. In 2025, the opportunities are for undergraduate, master’s, MBA, medical, and to study abroad with fully funded scholarships.
This blog explores scholarships in Canada for international students, particularly scholarships in Canada for Indian students, how to access them, and step-by-step guides on how to apply.
Why Scholarships Matter in Canada
Canada’s public and private institutions value diversity. A full scholarship in Canada may comprise tuition, living allowance, health insurance, and round-trip airfare. A lot of institutional or government-sponsored awards are extremely competitive but life-changing — a way in to study and then potentially immigrate. So, before one could apply, it’s a must to know what scholarship is for international students in Canada.
Types of Scholarships Available
a. Undergraduate Scholarships in Canada
International students who graduated from high school and wish to enter higher education in Canada can apply to the undergraduate scholarship program in that country. Several prominent scholarships, such as the University of British Columbia International Scholars Programme or the Lester B. Pearson Award at the University of Toronto, are open to Indian/other national applicants too.
b. Masters & Graduate Scholarships
For a masters scholarship in Canada, there are a variety of options available at the level of province, federal and university levels. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and the Ontario Graduate Scholarships are good examples.
c. MBA Scholarship in Canada
There are so many business schools in Canada that offer Canadian MBA scholarships to high-level students at areas from coast to country. Stipend can be merit-based (entry scores, employment experience) or needs-based. There are fellowships and assistantships that come with many institutions that have a huge impact on the cost.
d. Medical & Specialised Scholarships
For international students wanting to study health or medicine, you can find scholarships in Canada, although they are less available than those directly related to a specific institution. Students can also inquire at medical schools about internal awards and cooperating organisations from the philanthropic sector.
e. Fully Funded & Free Scholarships
Free scholarship in Canada is an idiomatic way to describe full-ride scholarships in Canada — scholarships that require nothing (or very little) from the student. These are usually competitive, pay most, if not all, costs, and come from government programs, research grants, or elite universities.
Who Is Eligible & What Are the Requirements
To know how to get a scholarship in Canada or how to apply for a scholarship in Canada, it is important to look at the eligibility criteria:
- Academics: Good grades (usually at least C+/B- average or around a 3.0 GPA)
- Test scores -TOEFL/IELTS; (GRE/GMAT for graduate/MBA)
- Letters of reference & statements of purpose
- Research proposal (for master’s/PhD level)
- Evidence of financial need (for needs-based awards)
- Extracurricular, leadership, and community service record
- Citizenship/nationality- some are available for all nationalities, others only for specific countries (example: scholarship in Canada for Indian students)
- Full-time study, admission offer required at time of application
By fulfilling these, applicants can answer “Can I get scholarship in Canada?” with greater confidence.
How to Get a Scholarship in Canada: Step-by-Step
1. Start Early & Research Extensively
Start researching at least one year before intake. Check with official university websites, scholarship search engines and those in or close to the institution to find scholarships for international students in Canada.
2. Match Your Profile to Awards
Not every scholarship will appeal to everyone. Find scholarships according to your academic categories.
3. Prepare Required Documents
Write down transcripts, SAT scores, letters, CVs and scholarship essays. Fit your personal statement to each individual scholarship.
4. Apply Through Official Channels
Submit using the university or government portals. That’s how you apply for a scholarship in Canada: send proposals within deadlines that may have absolutely no relation to the deadlines for admission applications.
5. Follow Up & Interview
Some programs shortlist candidates for interviews. Prepare thoroughly, emphasise your strengths, and explain how funding will impact your career.
6. Plan for Contingencies
Even if you don’t secure a fully funded scholarship, partial ones, plus teaching or research assistantships, can reduce costs substantially.
Scholarships Specific to Indian & International Students
a. Scholarship in Canada for Indian Students
Many Canadian universities and bilateral agreements provide special opportunities to Indian nationals. For example, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute scholarships or Indian government-funded scholarships that include Canadian placements.
b. International Students Scholarship in Canada
Canada International student scholarships for developing countries are offered that such as the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (for international students), Canada-ASEAN scholarships, and Institutional funding.
How to Get Scholarship in Canada After 12th
How to get a scholarship to study in Canada after 12th grade or If you ask how to get a scholarship in Canada after 12th, the path is applying for an undergraduate scholarship in Canada when you have your 12th grade. Concentrate on doing well in school, extracurricular activities, and applying to top universities that have a fair number of international students.
Top Scholarships for 2025
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships – highly competitive, funds doctoral-level studies, some MSc along the way to PhD (open to international students).
- University-specific awards: e.g., University of Toronto International Scholar Awards, University of British Columbia International Leader of Tomorrow, McGill Faculty of Medicine scholarships (for medical students).
- Government and external funds: e.g., Global Affairs Canada fellowships,2017 Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program or bilateral scholarship programs India-Canada.
- MBA dedicated funding: several business schools (e.g., Rotman, Schulich, Ivey) have scholarships available for the best MBA applicants – sometimes even full or partial ones.
These include full tuition scholarships in Canada that suit everyone’s needs.
Conclusion
Getting a Scholarship in Canada for International Students 2025 is tough but attainable. Whichever category you fall under on the list above, if you are looking for an undergraduate scholarship in Canada, an MBA scholarship in Canada, a Master’s scholarship in Canada, or even a specialised scholarship for medical students in Canada, you need to strategically match your strengths with what the award is asking for. Begin early, prepare thoroughly, and apply widely.
Getting a full scholarship in Canada can drastically change the academic and career path of the student, more so for Indian Students or International students. It all just depends on how smart you’re willing to invest in your applications, but if you do this with clarity and determination, you very well may change the following question of: Can I get a scholarship in Canada? to ‘I’ve got a scholarship in Canada’.
FAQs
Ques. 1. Can I get scholarship in Canada as an Indian student?
Ans. Yes. Other Canadian institutions and funding agencies are either open or partially reserved for Indian applicants. There are scholarships for Indian students to study in Canada, including government-affiliated and university-based scholarships.
Ques. 2. What are the requirements for scholarship in Canada for international students?
Ans. Typically, requirements include an excellent academic record, standardized test results (TOEFL/IELTS, GRE/GMAT), letters of recommendation,a personal statement or research proposal, and sometimes proof of need.
Ques. 3. How to get scholarship in Canada after 12th?
Ans. In general, the documents required are a good academic background, test scores ( TOEFL/IELTS, GRE/GMAT), a recommendation letter, a statement of purpose or research plan, and I-20 proof.
Ques. 4. Are there fully funded or free scholarships in Canada for international students?
Ans. Yes. Many are fully funded scholarships in Canada or free scholarships to study in Canada covering all costs, tuition fees, room, board, and much more. But competition is steep.
Ques. 5. Is there a scholarship in Canada for medical students?
Ans. Opportunities are rarer but possible. Few medical faculties have access to internal awards for the best prospective students of medicine, or there are scholarships in your country, scholarships in Canada for the fourth year of medicine, etc.
