Scholarships for Indian Students
Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in Canada
Discover top scholarships, eligibility, how to apply, and tips to reduce your study abroad expenses.


Why Scholarships Matter for Indian Students
Studying in Canada is a dream for many Indian students, but tuition and living costs can be significant.
Scholarships offer financial support to ease the burden and reward academic excellence, leadership, or financial need.
Types of Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada
Scholarship Type | Eligibility Basis | Who Offers It? |
---|---|---|
Merit-Based | Academic excellence | Universities, Govt, Private |
Need-Based | Financial need | Colleges, NGOs |
Entrance Scholarships | New student admission | Universities |
In-Course Scholarships | Academic performance during study | Colleges |
Government Scholarships | Bilateral and Canada-based programs | Canadian Govt / Indian Govt |
External Organization Awards | Industry or NGO-backed | Rotary Intl, Shastri Inst. |

Top Government & University Scholarships
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
- For PhD students with leadership & academic excellence
- Amount: CAD $50,000/year for 3 years
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
- For Master’s and PhD students
- Amount: CAD $15,000/year
- Eligibility: 80%+ marks in previous academic years
Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Fellowship
- Offers research, training & student mobility grants
- Open to UG/PG/Research students
University of Toronto – Lester B. Pearson Scholarship
- Full tuition, books, and living stipend
- For outstanding international students
University of British Columbia (UBC) International Major Entrance Scholarship
- Amount: Varies up to full tuition
- Based on academic excellence & leadership

Eligibility Criteria for Scholarships in Canada
To apply for scholarships, you typically need:
- High academic scores (above 70% or GPA 3.0+)
- Valid IELTS score (6.5–7.5 overall)
- Proof of admission to a Canadian university
- Strong SOP (Statement of Purpose)
- Letters of Recommendation
- Extracurricular & leadership achievements (for merit awards)
- Financial documents (for need-based scholarships)
How to Apply for Scholarships
- Step 1: Research scholarships at your target university
- Step 2: Prepare documents (transcripts, SOP, IELTS, LORs)
- Step 3: Submit online scholarship application or through college portal
- Step 4: Attend interview (if applicable)
- Step 5: Wait for the award letter/email
Tip: Apply early. Some scholarships close 6-12 months before the intake begins.


Scholarship Application Timeline (Sample)
Intake | Apply for Scholarships By |
---|---|
Fall (Sept) | Jan – March |
Winter (Jan) | July – September (Previous Year) |
Summer (May) | Oct – December (Previous Year) |
Partial vs Full Scholarships – What’s the Difference?
Type | Coverage | Notes |
---|---|---|
Full | Tuition + living + books | Highly competitive, limited slots |
Partial | $2,000 – $10,000 deduction from tuition | Most common for UG/PG students |
Living Grants | Covers monthly expenses only | Offered by some colleges or NGOs |


Scholarships vs Bursaries vs Grants
Funding Type | Based On | Repayment Required? |
---|---|---|
Scholarship | Merit/Academic | ❌ No |
Bursary | Financial Need | ❌ No |
Grant | Project-specific | ❌ No |
Student Loan | Income-Based | ✅ Yes (after graduation) |
Province-Specific Scholarships
Ontario: OGS, York International Student Scholarship
British Columbia: UBC, BC Provincial Scholarships
Alberta: University of Alberta Scholarships
Quebec: McGill Entrance Scholarships
Nova Scotia: Dalhousie Entrance & In-Course Awards


Scholarship Success Tips for Indian Students
- Maintain 75%+ scores from Grade 12 or UG
- Build a strong SOP & resume
- Showcase extracurricular & leadership achievements
- Secure 2 strong Letters of Recommendation
- Target multiple scholarships—not just one
- Apply before admission deadlines
Visual: Scholarship Value vs Award Rate
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- Average value of scholarships by province?
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Realistic Expectations: What to Budget Even with Scholarships
Even with scholarships, plan to cover:
- Application and visa costs
- Airfare and GIC
- First-semester fees
- Health insurance
- Misc. living expenses
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