Canadian Scholarships for Newcomers
By Kyle Quilatan
Published on: September 16th, 2024
Post-secondary school can be expensive. With tuition, course materials, housing and several expenses, it can sometimes be difficult for students to save enough money to complete their programs. It can become even more difficult for immigrants or international students who are unfamiliar with the Canadian school system.
However, help is available. Many Canadian institutions and organizations offer financial support tailored specifically towards Canadian newcomers.
Continue reading to explore some scholarship options for newcomers in Canada.
Flight PS752 Commemorative Scholarship Program
This scholarship was created to commemorate the lives lost during the Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 Disaster of Jan. 8, 2020. To honour the 176 lives lost during this tragedy, Global Affairs Canada is offering 176 scholarships over five years, beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year.
To be eligible to apply, a student must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or an international student with a valid study permit.
To apply, students need to provide a 500-word letter of motivation explaining how their chosen diploma or degree aligns with the victims’ academic and/or professional work. The applicant’s field of study may focus on air disaster prevention. The letter must also describe how the applicant intends to use the scholarship to help spread awareness for the victims of PS752.
Each scholarship will average $25,000 and cover one year of school and living expenses.
Study in Canada Scholarships
This series of scholarships seeks to welcome international students from several countries globally for short-term exchange programs. The scholarships encourage Canadian universities to strengthen their global ties and promote their research in global markets.
Applicants must be from a select list of countries in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa or Sub-Saharan Africa. Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students already studying in Canada are not eligible for this scholarship.
The application process may differ between institutions, so those interested should contact their schools first to find out more. Selected undergraduate students will receive $10,200 for one academic term (four months).
The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) Founder’s Scholarship
This scholarship honours Salim M. Sindhu, the principal founder of TIES. Sindhu came to Canada in 1974 and later founded TIES in 1988. The organization anticipates filling in the gaps in immigrant support in Calgary, Alta.
The TIES Founder’s Scholarship sponsors one post-secondary student each year. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. International students are not eligible. Applicants must also live in Calgary and enroll in a post-secondary program with some intent and relation to aiding Canadian newcomers.
The application process involves writing a 750–1000-word essay addressing the applicant’s intent and plan to aid Canadian newcomers, particularly in Calgary. The selected applicant will receive $1,000.
School-based scholarships
Several post-secondary schools in Canada offer scholarships exclusively to their students. Some of these are made especially for international students or other newcomers. Below are a few examples.
The University of Toronto (UofT) offers the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships. To be eligible, applicants must be international students with a valid study permit and must be entering their first year of school at UofT. Before applying, students must receive a nomination from their high school. They must then complete the online application to qualify. Around 37 students will be selected as Pearson Scholars each year.
The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers the International Scholars Program. Like with the Pearson Scholarship, applicants for the International Scholars Program must be entering their first year of school at UBC or transferring from their first year at another university or college. Applicants must also demonstrate a level of financial need to qualify. Those eligible to apply will need a nomination from their high school or a non-profit organization. After applying, UBC will consider which of the four available awards qualified applicants might be eligible for.
Funding education can be expensive, especially for newcomers in Canada. Remember that aside from scholarships tailored to immigrants or international students, all Canadian post-secondary schools also offer regular scholarships based on academic performance, community service or other factors. Continue to research and explore other options to help ease your financial anxieties.