Canada is one of the top global destinations for higher education, with over 800,000 international students holding study permits. Indian students alone make up nearly 40% of that population.
However, affordability is becoming a growing concern year after year.
Tuition fees for international students in Canada now range from CAD 20,000 to CAD 60,000 per year, and living costs can add another CAD 15,000 to CAD 20,000 annually.
Scholarship research for international students can also get messy pretty fast.
If you are an Indian student planning to study in the country, you either find a long list of scholarships that leave you overwhelmed or only a few that are relevant for your higher education abroad.
So, how do you find and apply for scholarships in Canada as an Indian student?
Let’s start with undergraduate scholarships first, because that is where some of the clearest and most substantial opportunities sit for Indian applicants targeting Canada next year.
Best undergraduate scholarships for Indian students in Canada
Canada has more than 90 public universities, many of which offer a range of undergraduate scholarships for international students, including automatic entrance awards and full-ride merit scholarships.
Universities like the University of British Columbia alone provide over CAD 35 million annually in scholarships for international undergraduates.
At the top are flagship scholarships. These are few but highly competitive.
The most well-known example is the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto. It covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years and selects only about 37 international students each year.
Here are the major undergraduate scholarships for Indian students to study in Canada.
| Scholarship & University (QS World Ranking 2026) | Coverage | Application Type |
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship -University of Toronto (29) | Full tuition, residence, books, fees for 4 years | Separate and nomination |
| International Scholars Program -University of British Columbia (40) | Full or partial funding based on financial need | Separate |
| International Major Entrance Scholarship -University of British Columbia (40) | 10,000 to 25,000 per year, renewable | Automatic |
| Outstanding International Student Award -University of British Columbia (40) | 10,000 to 25,000 one-time | Automatic |
| President’s International Scholarship -University of Alberta (94) | Up to about 120,000 over 4 years | Separate |
From where I sit at GradRight, one of the biggest problems I see students run into early is misunderstanding what these scholarships actually cover.
They search for “scholarships in Canada,” and assume everything on that list is meant for full-degree applicants. That is not true.
“While there are many scholarships available for international students, they are highly competitive and most do not cover the full cost of tuition.”
As you have seen, some scholarships cover full undergraduate study, while others are meant for short-term exchange or research.
Some are automatically considered with your admission, while others require a separate application or nomination by your school.
Also read: Wish to Study in Canada? Read About The Scholarships in Canada
Master’s scholarships for Indian students in Canada
Master’s scholarships in Canada for international students are mainly merit-based.
Fully funded options are also limited. Typical scholarships hover between CAD 1,000 and CAD 35,000 per year, depending on the university and program.
There are three main funding routes.
- University entrance scholarships, which are automatic and based on grades.
- Research-based funding for thesis master’s programs, which may include stipends or assistantships.
Here are some of the most popular master’s scholarships for Indian students in Canada.
| Scholarship, University (QS Rank 2026) | Eligibility | What it covers | Timeline (2027 intake) |
| Mitacs Globalink Research Internship | Top 10-percentile undergrad (3rd year) aiming for Canadian grad study | CAD 12k package including stipend, housing, travel, health & visa | Applications Apr -Jun 2026 for summer 2027 |
| McCall MacBain Scholarship –McGill University (QS #27) | Bachelor’s degree, strong academics, leadership | Full tuition, monthly stipend, relocation grant, leadership program | Opens mid-2026; deadline Aug 2026 |
| McCall MacBain Finalist / Regional Awards -McGill University (QS #27) | Bachelor’s degree, strong academics, leadership | Partial funding worth CAD 10,000-20,000 | Aug-Sep 2026 |
| Graduate Entrance Scholarship -University of Alberta (QS #94) | Merit-based | Base funding plus international supplement, varies by program | Dec 2026-Feb 2027 |
| Department-level funding / entrance awards -University of Toronto (QS #29) | Merit-based | Partial tuition support | Jan-March 2027 |
| Graduate Scholarships -Dalhousie University (QS #300-350) | Merit-based, program-specific | CAD 10,000-35,000 depending on program | Dec 2026-March 2027 |
| Entrance Scholarships -Carleton University / University of Ottawa (QS #187) / University of Saskatchewan (QS #378) | Merit-based admission | CAD 1,000-6,500 | Jan-April 2027 |
PhD scholarships for Indian students in Canada
PhD scholarships in Canada for international students are structured around research funding.
The top national scholarship is the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship -Doctoral, which offers CAD 40,000 per year for three years and requires university nomination through a quota system.
Most universities also offer guaranteed funding packages. These range from CAD 28,000 to CAD 45,000 per year and include teaching assistantships, research funding, and internal awards.
Many PhD offers also include guaranteed funding. At Waterloo, full-time doctoral students in good standing receive at least CAD 28,351 per year. Eligible international PhD students also receive an automatic International Doctoral Student Award of approximately CAD 5,140 per term.
Here are some PhD funding options for Indian students in Canada:
| Scholarship / Funding | Coverage | Key Points | Timeline (2027 intake) |
| Canada Graduate Research Scholarship -Doctoral | CAD 40,000 per year (3 years) | Merit-based, university nomination required | Fall 2026 internal deadlines |
| Institutional PhD funding (University of Waterloo) | CAD 28,000-46,000 per year | Includes TA, RA, supervisor funding | With admission offer |
| Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship | CAD 50k stipend and CAD 20k research-travel each year (3 years) | First-or second-year PhD in social sciences/humanities at Canadian university | Call opens Sep 2026, university pre-selection Nov 2026 |
| Mitacs Elevate | CAD 80k/year salary, CAD 7.5k training budget | PhD graduates within 5 years; 2 year post-doc in Canada with industry partner | Spring & autumn cohorts; next LOI Feb 2027 |
| International Doctoral Student Award | Tuition offset (CAD 5,000 per term) | Automatic for eligible students | With admission |
| Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship (National) | Up to CAD 12k toward tuition, travel & project funding | Citizens of Commonwealth countries accepted to a partner Canadian master’s | Partner universities announce calls each spring |
| University of Alberta Doctoral Scholarship | CAD 21k stipend, CAD 10k tuition | Department nomination only | Varies by department |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship | CAD 15k per year | Limited international slots | Fall-Winter 2026 |
How to apply for scholarships in Canada from India
The biggest mistake I see students make is treating scholarship applications as one standard process. There are at least four different ways an Indian student can apply for a scholarship to study in Canada.
So, any scholarship application process depends on the type of scholarship. Start by understanding the scholarship category.
Step 1: Identify the Application Type
Some scholarships are built into your admission (like Waterloo’s CAD 10k International Student Entrance Scholarship).
Other scholarships need a separate portal, where you submit an extra form and essays (like, McCall MacBain, UBC International Scholars).
Alternatively, school nomination scholarships require nomination by your counsellor first (like, Pearson, York PISE) and then you complete a separate application after being nominated.
Lastly, institution led government funding applications are submitted by the university itself. So, only the Canadian university can file; students cannot apply directly for scholarships like the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship -Doctoral program.
Step 2: Check Scholarship and University Timelines
Another important thing to consider is that scholarship deadlines run earlier than most students expect.
Most entrance scholarships are automatically considered along with admission offers in January and March. And flagship undergraduate awards close between September and November (for example, Pearson, UBC International Scholars).
Meanwhile, master’s and PhD federal scholarships (e.g. CGS-M, CGS-D) open around July and close by December.
Step 3: Prepare Over and Above Academics
Another common thing to consider when applying for scholarships is that after grades, committees look at aspects like:
- Leadership and community impact
- Clear study-or-research plan
- Strong, specific references (not generic LORs)
These factors decide shortlists once basic GPA cut-offs are met. So, preparing and submitting proper documents must also be a priority in your scholarship application process.
Step 4: Plan for Partial Funding
And, most importantly, remember that your scholarship will not cover the full cost.
Most Indian students in Canada still end up with a funding gap, especially around:
- Living expenses
- Housing
- Insurance
- Uncovered tuition
Having the gap covered up-front prevents last-minute rejections of study visas.
To cover the leftover expenses, you can take help from a loan. Our loan search platform lets international students compare loan offers from multiple lenders in one place.
“Platforms like these bring hope in the lives of students who find the current financial system cumbersome. The entire process was unbelievably easy to follow. I hope that more aspirants like me can fully utilize such platforms.”
— Rohit, who received three loan offers on GradRight’s education loan bidding platform.
GradRight also helps students get competitive interest rates on their study abroad loans and faster approvals after they have secured a scholarship.
