Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada 2024
Scholarships are the financial aid offered to deserving students who cannot afford tuition abroad. Canada, being a student-friendly country and home to the world’s top universities, assists Indian students financially so they can focus on their studies without worrying about expenses.
These assistance are provided based on academic achievements, extracurricular activities, or students’ financial needs. In this blog, we will understand various types of scholarships provided to Indian students, eligibility criteria, documents required, etc in Canada.
Why Study in Canada?
In recent years, Canada has become a leading destination for Indian students. It is a beacon known for supporting some of the best universities, providing research opportunities, and being the hub of some top MNCs. Here are some reasons why you should choose Canada as your dream destination:
- Diverse Culture: Canada welcomes students from different ethnic groups and cultures, providing a unique multicultural experience.
- World-Class Education System: Canada is known for its qualitative finance, management, and business analytics education. Some of the best universities in Canada are The University of Toronto, McMaster University, McGill University, etc.
- Research Opportunities: Many universities & government-funded scholarships help students pursue their PhD without financial strain.
- Peaceful and secure environment: Due to its location and low crime index, Canada is ranked second in the world regarding having a good quality of life and offering a high standard of living.
- Benefits of PR: The policies of the Canadian government are much more favourable to Indian students. They can become a permanent resident of Canada after completing their studies and can avail the benefits of Canadian citizenship.
General Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada
There are different types of scholarships in Canada for Indian students. This varies depending on the course & university of a student. Some general scholarships for Indian students in Canada are the JN Tata Endowment Loan, the Robert Krmbill Scholarship, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, etc.
| General Scholarships | Awarding Level | Amount of Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| JN Tata Endowment Loan | Undergraduate | $12,000 (INR 10 lakhs) |
| Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship | Postgraduate | $10,000 (INR 8.3 lakhs) |
| Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarship | Postgraduate | $12,000 (INR 10 lakhs) |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program | Postdoctoral | $10,000-15,000 (INR 10-13 lakhs) |
Undergraduate Courses Scholarships For Indian Students in Canada
JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
Tata Education and Development Trust provides financial aid to undergraduate & postgraduate students from India.
| Benefits | It covers tuition fees, living expenses & travel costs. Loan up to 10 lakhs that can be paid within 7 years. Offered to undergraduate & postgraduate students. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Students must not exceed 45 years as of 30th June 2024. They must score at least 60% in their final year of undergraduate or postgraduate studies. Candidates are not eligible to apply if their degree is not from a recognised university in India. |
| Application Deadline | Application forms for fall intake of 2024 and spring intake of 2025 are from 11th January to 21st March 2024. |
Postgraduate Courses Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada
There are different types of scholarships for Indian students in Canada pursuing master’s degrees. This attracts many international students to pursue their higher studies in human resource management, business analytics, MBA, management in Canada. Some of them are:
- Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship
- Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarship
- Robert Krembil Scholarship of Merit
Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship is a financial aid for Indian students pursuing their PhD in Canada.
| Benefits | Financial aid is provided to Indian students pursuing master’s or PhD. Scholarship provided up to $10,000 for 5-6 months. It covers tuition fees and extra funds. |
| Eligibility | Candidate must be an Indian citizen residing in India. For a master’s degree, the applicant should have 60% or above in Humanities & Social Science group. 65% or above in Engineering & Technology, Research or Agricultural Group. Students applying for doctoral programmes need a work permit to get accepted by the Canadian board. |
| Application Process and Deadline | Institution Exchange Agreement is required for the application process. New collaborations can also be made if there are no prior engagements. |
Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarship
The Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarship was established under the will of the Rt. Hon. W.L. Mackenzie King, who was the Prime Minister of Canada. The scholarship is provided to all international students, including Indian students. There are two types of scholarships: Open & Travel Scholarships.
| Benefits | Open Scholarship: Available to all Indian students pursuing higher education in any master’s field in Canada. Two scholarships are awarded each year worth $12,000 (subject to change). |
| Eligibility | Indian students with excellent academic backgrounds are eligible if they are holders of a Canadian degree. Students in 1st year do not qualify for the scholarship. |
| Application Deadline | The tentative deadline for the application is February 2025. |
Postdoctoral Courses Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada
Doctoral degree scholarships help students pursue their courses without financial strain. The value & duration of awards depends on the course of the applicant.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program
Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program is provided to Indian students pursuing their master’s or doctoral degree in Canada.
| Benefits | Students are awarded $10,000 for two consecutive terms or $15,000 if enrolled in three successive terms. |
| Eligibility | Students must be enrolled in a participating university. It should be a full-time program. Students must be pursuing their master’s or doctoral degree. |
| Application Process | Students should submit their applications on the university’s website. |
University-Funded Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada
University-Funded scholarships offer grants, and tuition fee concessions to international students. The value depends on the university, course, and term.
The university-funded scholarships for Indian students in Canada are based on the level or degree, course & the university from which a student is pursuing a course. Some of the scholarships are listed below:
| University Funded Scholarship | Awarding Level | Amount of Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| University of McGill Scholarship Aid Program | Undergraduate | Fee Waiver |
| University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship | Undergraduate | Fee Waiver |
| University of Toronto Dean’s Graduate Scholarship | Postgraduate | CAD 5,000 |
| International Master’s Award of Excellence | Postgraduate | CAD 2,500 (per term) |
| Robert Krmbill Scholarship of Merit | Postgraduate | CAD 89,000 |
| University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship | Postgraduate | CAD 18,000 |
Undergraduate Courses
Some of the undergraduate scholarship programs for Indian students in Canada are:
- University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
- University of McGill Scholarship Aid Program
University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
This scholarship is provided to international students pursuing their undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto. It supplements their educational journey by providing assistance & covering tuition, books & accommodation fees.
| Benefits | It covers tuition, books, and incidental and full accommodation fees for four years. |
| Eligibility | One must demonstrate exceptional academic achievements and creativity. They must be in their final year of secondary school or have passed no earlier than June 2024 (for 2025 intake). |
| Application Process | The application process will open in September 2024. It also includes one application to the desired course at the University of Toronto. |
University of McGill Scholarship Aid Program
McGill University provides two types of scholarships: Need & Merit-based scholarships.
Need-Based Scholarship
Need-based scholarship is financial assistance provided to reduce the financial strain of international students pursuing their undergraduate degree at McGill University.
| Benefits | Need-based Financial Aid helps students by supplementing other funding sources like government aid, parental support, and part-time work. The bursary rates are determined by the type of course, level of need demonstrated by students or parents, and student residency. It is provided to the students of McGill University. |
| Eligibility | Students must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program at the University. They should have satisfactory academic progress. They must demonstrate financial need. First-year students are not eligible for this scheme. |
| Application Deadline | Applications are available in August for the academic year starting in September. |
Merit-Based Scholarship
This scholarship is provided to deserving students pursuing their undergraduate program at the university.
| Benefits | This scholarship is provided to meritorious students pursuing undergraduate courses at the university. |
| Eligibility | All academically excellent students may be considered by their faculties for the award. Students must complete at least at least 27 graded credits in a McGill degree program. |
| Application Process | Students who meet the eligibility criteria become eligible for the award & no separate application form is required to be submitted |
Postgraduate Courses
Some of the postgraduate scholarships are:
- University of Toronto Dean’s Graduate Scholarships
- University of Manitoba’s Graduate Fellowship
- International Master’s Award of Excellence
University of Toronto Dean’s Graduate Scholarships
It is provided to international students pursuing their Master’s degree at the University of Toronto. It offers financial assistance up to CAD 5,000.
| Benefits | This scholarship is provided to 5 incoming students enrolled in the Master of Information at the University of Toronto. It offers financial aid up to CAD 5,000, covering a substantial portion of tuition fees and living expenses. |
| Eligibility | A GPA of 3.70 or more (or its local equivalent) is required. A high-standing academic work is also required. |
| Application Process & Deadline | Applicants must submit their application before 8th February 2024. |
University of Manitoba’s Graduate Fellowship
UMGF is offered to meritorious students pursuing their master’s or PhD degrees from Manitoba University.
| Benefits | It is provided to meritorious students pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees at Manitoba University. master’s awards are valued at CAD 14,000 per year for 12 or 24 months. On the other hand, Doctoral Scholarships are awarded for 12, 24, 36, and 48 months, valued at CAD 18,000 per year. |
| Eligibility | Students must be admitted to the University of Manitoba’s full-time master’s or doctoral program. GPA in a full-time undergraduate program must be 3.0. |
| Application Process | Applicants are recommended by the department to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. |
International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE)
IMAE is offered for research-based master’s degree programs at the University of Waterloo and is worth $2500 per term.
| Benefits | This scholarship is provided by the University of Waterloo. It is offered for research-based master’s degree programs. Students receive the award valued at $2,500 per term for a maximum of five terms. |
| Eligibility | Students must demonstrate academic excellence. They must be enrolled in a full-time master’s or research-based program |
| Application Process | The application must be submitted along with the course application. |
Robert Krembil Scholarship of Merit
This scholarship is provided to international students pursuing their MBA at Schulich’s School of Business.
| Benefits | This scholarship is for students pursuing an MBA at Schulich’s School of Business, Canada. The scholarship is worth $89,700 (INR 75 lakhs) for two years. It is renewable in the second year if the students achieve a GPA of 7.0 on the first 30 credit hours of coursework |
| Eligibility | Students must have outstanding academic excellence and achieve a grade of A- or higher. They should also have two years of work experience. |
| Application Process | Application is not required because all international applicants to Schulich’s MBA program are automatically considered for scholarship. |
Top Universities with Scholarships For Indian Students in Canada
The table below provides a detailed list of top universities with scholarships for Indian students in Canada. These scholarships are provided to undergraduates, graduates & doctoral students. The amount & terms of scholarships vary from course to course and university to university.
| University | Name of the Scholarship | QS Overall Ranking 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | University of Toronto Dean’s Graduate Scholarship | 25 |
| McGill University | Need & Merit-based Scholarship | 29 |
| University of Waterloo | International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE) | 115 |
| University of Manitoba | University of Manitoba’s Graduate Fellowship | 670 |
Documents Checklist for Scholarship Applications
The following documents are required to apply for scholarship schemes in Canada. The list may vary depending on the course type chosen and the student’s college.
- Complete Application Form
- Copy of Passport and Identity Proof
- Financial Documents
- Academic Transcripts
- Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
Conclusion
Scholarships for Indian students in Canada help them reduce the financial burden on students who want to pursue their dreams in Canada’s top Universities. By investing in education programs, both the government of Canada and private establishments are encouraging students to take part in innovation and research so that real problems of the dynamic world can be tackled easily.
Scholarships also act as a pull factor in attracting students to Canada. The easy visa policy, high living standards, smooth placements & diversified roles make Canada a dream country for Indian students.
FAQs
Are scholarships taxable in Canada?
No, since the scholarship awarded to students in Canada in any course and institution is in the form of an award, the tax is exempted.
How do you apply for a scholarship in Canada?
Most of the scholarship awards are funded by universities where you apply for a specific course. So, the application and other documents for the scholarship can be submitted along with the admission application on the University’s website.
Do Canadian universities provide scholarships based on IELTS scores?
No, most of the universities based in Canada provide scholarships without considering IELTS scores. However, a strong academic record is needed to support the application.
Can I get a scholarship after the 12th to study in Canada?
Yes, scholarships are available for pursuing undergraduate courses in Canada.
What scholarships are available for Indian students to study in master’s programs?
Scholarships like Vanier Graduate Scholarships, Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program, Robert Kimball Scholarship of Merit, etc are some scholarships for master’s courses.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
