Studying in Canada can be expensive for international students, especially when tuition, accommodation, food, transportation, health insurance, books, and other living expenses are added together. This is why Top Fully Funded Canada Scholarships for International Students are highly sought after by students looking for a way to earn a Canadian degree without carrying the full financial burden.

A fully funded scholarship generally means that the scholarship provides enough financial support to cover major study-related expenses, which may include tuition, living expenses, accommodation, travel, books, research costs, or other allowances. However, not every scholarship advertised online as “fully funded” actually covers every expense.

This guide highlights some of the strongest scholarship and funding opportunities available to international students for Canadian universities. It covers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral opportunities and explains what each program offers, who can apply, how the application process works, and where to apply. It also includes important 2026–2027 deadlines so you can prioritize applications that are currently open or approaching.

Important: Scholarship values, eligibility rules and deadlines can change from one academic year to another. Always read the current requirements on the official application page before submitting an application.

What Are Fully Funded Canada Scholarships for International Students?

Fully funded Canada scholarships are competitive financial awards designed to cover most or all of the major costs associated with studying in Canada.

Depending on the scholarship, funding can include:

• Full or substantial tuition coverage
• Monthly living stipends
• Accommodation or residence support
• Research allowances
• Travel or relocation allowances
• Books and study materials
• Health insurance
• Leadership and professional development opportunities

The exact benefits vary considerably.

For example, the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto covers tuition, books, incidental fees and residence support for four years. The McCall MacBain Scholarship provides tuition and fees for eligible programs at McGill University together with a monthly living stipend and relocation support.

At the graduate level, some awards provide annual stipends rather than paying a student’s university bill directly. Therefore, students should always check exactly what “fully funded” means for the particular scholarship.

Top Fully Funded Canada Scholarships for International Students

The following opportunities are among the major Canadian scholarships and funding programs international students should investigate.

Note: The first several programs provide much closer to full funding. Some of the university awards toward the bottom of the table are substantial scholarships but should not automatically be described as completely covering tuition and living costs.

1. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is one of the major fully funded undergraduate scholarship opportunities at the University of Toronto.

The scholarship is designed for exceptional international students entering an undergraduate degree program. It is particularly suitable for students who have demonstrated strong academic performance, creativity, leadership and meaningful involvement in their school or community.

The scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years.

One important feature is that students cannot simply submit an independent scholarship application and expect to be considered. Eligible students must be nominated by their current secondary school through the University of Toronto’s process.

The program is highly competitive, so applicants should begin preparing well before the deadline.

For the 2026 competition, the University of Toronto lists November 6, 2026 as the deadline for completing the Pearson scholarship application and submitting the required documentation.

Study level: Undergraduate

International students: Yes

Funding: Tuition, books, incidental fees and residence support for four years

Application:
Apply for the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

2. UBC International Scholars Program

The UBC International Scholars Program is another major opportunity for international students seeking financial support for undergraduate study in Canada.

The University of British Columbia describes the program as being for international students with strong academic performance, leadership qualities, significant contributions to their communities and substantial financial need.

Unlike scholarships based only on grades, UBC considers the student’s broader circumstances. The university conducts a financial assessment, meaning applicants should be prepared to provide information about family income, expenses and assets.

Applicants must be entering UBC directly from an accredited secondary school and pursuing their first undergraduate degree.

For students planning to begin in September 2027, UBC’s current information indicates that the scholarship application deadline is November 15, 2026.

Because the program considers both achievement and financial circumstances, applicants should prepare their financial documentation early.

Study level: Undergraduate

International students: Yes

Key requirements: Academic achievement, leadership, community involvement and significant financial need

Application:
Apply for the UBC International Scholars Program

3. McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill University

The McCall MacBain Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for eligible master’s and professional programs at McGill University.

International students are eligible, making this particularly important for graduates looking for a fully funded postgraduate opportunity in Canada.

The scholarship covers tuition and fees for the normal duration of an eligible program. Scholars also receive a monthly living stipend of CAD $2,300 during academic terms, as well as a one-time relocation grant for moving to Montreal.

The program also includes mentorship, leadership development, French-language learning opportunities and an interdisciplinary educational experience.

Eligible programs include many master’s and second-entry professional programs at McGill.

The scholarship is not awarded solely on academic grades. Leadership, community involvement, intellectual curiosity and the ability to work with others are important parts of the selection process.

International applicants for the 2027 cohort had an application deadline in August 2026, so students interested in a future cycle should monitor the official application page for the next opening.

Study level: Master’s and professional programs

International students: Yes

Funding: Tuition, fees, living stipend and relocation support

Application:
Apply for the McCall MacBain Scholarship

4. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship is one of Canada’s major doctoral funding opportunities for students in the humanities and social sciences.

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

For the 2027 competition, applicants must generally be in the first or second year of a PhD program when applying.

The scholarship provides an annual stipend of up to CAD $50,000 for three years to support tuition and living expenses. Scholars can also receive an annual allowance of up to CAD $20,000 for research, travel and networking activities.

This makes the program particularly valuable for doctoral students whose research requires travel, fieldwork, conferences or other research-related expenses.

The application process has two stages. Applicants first complete an eligibility verification process. Those whose eligibility is confirmed can proceed to the full application.

For the 2027 competition, the eligibility confirmation deadline is October 2, 2026, followed by later reference and full-application deadlines.

Study level: PhD

International students: Yes, if enrolled at a Canadian university

Funding: Up to $50,000 annually plus up to $20,000 annually for research, travel and networking

Application:
Apply for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship

5. Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) is a major Canadian doctoral research scholarship.

The program provides CAD $40,000 per year for three years to eligible doctoral researchers.

Importantly, international students can qualify under specific conditions. International applicants generally need to be registered in their doctoral program at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline.

Up to 15% of awards are available to international applicants, making this an important opportunity for international PhD students already studying in Canada.

The scholarship supports research across areas including:

• Health
• Natural sciences
• Engineering
• Social sciences
• Humanities
• Interdisciplinary research

Applicants need a strong research proposal and supporting academic documentation. Depending on the institution and agency involved, applications may be submitted through a Canadian university or directly to the relevant research agency.

For the 2026 competition, the standard agency deadline falls in October, with some institutions setting earlier internal deadlines.

Study level: Doctoral

International students: Yes, under specific conditions

Funding: $40,000 per year for three years

Application:
Apply for the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral

6. Dalhousie University Killam Predoctoral Scholarship

The Killam Predoctoral Scholarship at Dalhousie University is a significant funding opportunity for outstanding graduate students, including international students.

The scholarship is available to students undertaking doctoral-level research in areas including:

• Sciences
• Engineering
• Humanities
• Social sciences

The award can be worth up to CAD $48,000 per year in qualifying circumstances. The base Killam award is generally $42,000 annually, with additional funding possible when combined with eligible doctoral research awards.

One particularly useful feature for international students is that additional support may be available for expenses such as international tuition differentials.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate excellent academic achievement and strong research potential.

Because the scholarship is administered through university-level processes, prospective students should also pay attention to departmental and graduate-school deadlines.

Study level: Doctoral

International students: Yes

Funding: Up to $48,000 per year in qualifying circumstances

Application:
Apply for the Dalhousie Killam Predoctoral Scholarship

7. Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship

The Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES) is offered at the University of Alberta to recognize strong academic achievement among graduate students.

International students with valid study permits can be eligible.

The current award value at the University of Alberta is CAD $12,000, paid as a one-time award. It is available to eligible master’s and doctoral students.

Although this award should not be described as a complete full-ride scholarship on its own, it can significantly reduce the financial burden of graduate study and may be combined with other university or external funding where permitted.

Applicants should also understand that AGES is not automatically renewable.

For the 2026 competition, faculty nomination deadlines apply, so students should contact their graduate department or faculty early.

Study level: Master’s and PhD

International students: Yes

Funding: $12,000

Application:
Apply for the Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship

8. University of Waterloo Faculty of Science International Student Scholarships

International students entering eligible undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo can access significant scholarship opportunities.

The university currently lists Faculty of Science International Student Scholarships valued between $25,000 and $80,000.

Eligible areas include many programs in science, although there are exclusions for certain professional programs.

Waterloo also provides a separate $10,000 International Student Entrance Scholarship for eligible international students entering first-year degree studies.

These awards demonstrate why international students should not look only for scholarships labelled “fully funded.” A combination of university awards can substantially reduce the overall cost of a degree.

However, students should check the exact award terms before describing these scholarships as fully funded because the maximum award may not cover the full cost of tuition and living expenses.

Study level: Undergraduate

International students: Yes

Funding: Up to $80,000 for selected Faculty of Science scholarships

Application:
Apply and view Waterloo international scholarships

9. University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship is designed for international students entering the first year of an undergraduate degree.

The current award is CAD $20,000 and is renewable, subject to the university’s conditions.

Applicants must meet the university’s eligibility requirements and continue to satisfy the academic and international-student conditions required for renewal.

Although $20,000 does not necessarily cover all expenses associated with studying in Canada, a renewable award can make a substantial difference to a student’s total education budget.

Students should also investigate other University of Calgary awards that may be combined with the entrance scholarship.

Study level: Undergraduate

International students: Yes

Funding: $20,000, renewable under applicable conditions

Application:
Apply for the University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

10. University of Manitoba International Excellence Entrance Scholarship

The University of Manitoba International Excellence Entrance Scholarship is a newer opportunity for high-achieving international students entering undergraduate studies.

For the 2027/28 competition, the university is offering:

• One scholarship worth $25,000
• Two scholarships worth $10,000 each

The $25,000 award is intended for an international student demonstrating exceptional academic achievement, leadership and sustained community involvement.

Applicants for the top award must have a minimum admission average of 90% across five approved senior-level high school subjects.

The scholarship is particularly relevant to students coming directly from secondary school who have strong academic records and evidence of leadership outside the classroom.

The current application deadline is December 1, 2026.

Study level: Undergraduate

International students: Yes

Funding: $25,000 for the top award; two additional $10,000 awards

Application:
Apply for the University of Manitoba International Excellence Entrance Scholarship

How to Apply for Fully Funded Canada Scholarships

The application process differs between universities and scholarship providers, but international students can generally follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose your study level

First determine whether you are applying for:

• Undergraduate study
• Master’s study
• Professional study
• PhD or doctoral study

Do not apply randomly. Some scholarships are exclusively for undergraduate students, while others are only available to doctoral researchers.

Step 2: Check the eligibility requirements

Read the scholarship requirements carefully.

Check:

• Citizenship requirements
• Academic grades
• Age requirements, where applicable
• Program requirements
• Leadership experience
• Research requirements
• Financial-need requirements
• English-language requirements
• Admission requirements

Step 3: Apply for university admission where required

Some scholarships require you to apply for admission to the university before completing the scholarship application.

Others require a nomination from your secondary school, university department or Canadian institution.

This distinction is important.

Step 4: Prepare your documents

Common scholarship documents include:

• Academic transcripts
• Curriculum vitae
• Personal statement
• Scholarship essays
• Research proposal
• Letters of recommendation
• Proof of citizenship
• Proof of financial circumstances
• English-language test results where required
• Admission documents

Start preparing these documents early because recommendation letters can take several weeks.

Step 5: Submit the application before the deadline

Never wait until the final day.

Some scholarship portals close automatically at a specified time. Universities can also have internal deadlines that are earlier than the national scholarship deadline.

What Makes an International Student Competitive?

Academic grades are important, but they are not always enough.

For many major Canadian scholarships, a strong candidate can demonstrate a combination of:

Academic excellence: Strong grades, challenging coursework, awards and academic achievements.

Leadership: Evidence that you have taken responsibility in school, work or community activities.

Community involvement: Volunteer work and projects that have produced meaningful results.

Clear goals: A convincing explanation of why the proposed program fits your academic and career objectives.

Research potential: Particularly important for master’s and doctoral scholarships.

Strong references: Recommendation letters should provide specific evidence of your abilities rather than simply saying that you are a “good student.”

Financial need: Some programs, particularly major undergraduate international scholarships, assess financial circumstances as part of the selection process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying

One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that every scholarship advertised as “fully funded” actually pays every expense.

Before applying, check whether the award covers:

• Tuition
• Accommodation
• Food
• Health insurance
• Books
• Travel
• Visa-related costs
• Personal expenses

Another common mistake is submitting the same generic personal statement to every scholarship.

Instead, customize your application to the scholarship. Explain why your academic goals, leadership experience, research interests and community activities match the particular program.

Students should also avoid paying unofficial agents to “guarantee” scholarships. Legitimate universities and scholarship organizations publish their eligibility requirements and application procedures through their official channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can international students get fully funded scholarships in Canada?

Yes. International students can access scholarships that provide full or substantial financial support for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral study. However, the number of truly comprehensive scholarships is limited, and eligibility varies by program.

Which Canadian scholarship covers tuition and living expenses?

Several major programs provide substantial support for both tuition and living expenses. Examples include the McCall MacBain Scholarship and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship. The Lester B. Pearson Scholarship also provides comprehensive undergraduate support covering tuition, books, incidental fees and residence support.

Do I need IELTS for a Canadian scholarship?

Not necessarily. Scholarship eligibility and university admission requirements are separate considerations. Some universities may accept alternatives to IELTS or waive English-language testing when certain conditions are met. Always check the specific university’s current admission requirements.

Can African students apply for Canadian scholarships?

Yes. Many Canadian scholarships accept international applicants regardless of whether they are from Africa, Asia, Europe or other regions, provided they meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Some government-funded Canadian programs also specifically target students from particular countries or regions.

Are Canadian scholarships completely free?

A scholarship does not normally require repayment, but “fully funded” does not always mean every personal expense is covered. Students should examine the award’s official terms to understand exactly which expenses are included.

Final Thoughts on Top Fully Funded Canada Scholarships for International Students

The Top Fully Funded Canada Scholarships for International Students can significantly reduce the cost of studying at a Canadian university, but applicants need to distinguish genuine full-coverage opportunities from partial scholarships.

For undergraduate students, the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship and UBC International Scholars Program deserve close attention. Graduate students can investigate opportunities such as the McCall MacBain Scholarship, while doctoral researchers should consider the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship, Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral, and Dalhousie Killam Predoctoral Scholarship.

The most important step is to begin early. Check eligibility, prepare your documents, secure strong recommendation letters and submit applications before the relevant deadlines.

Do not wait until you receive an admission offer before researching scholarships. Start comparing requirements and preparing your applications now. Use the official application pages above and verify the current deadline and funding conditions before submitting your application.