Looking for grad school scholarships in Canada? Here's how to find them & apply 💸

Is the high cost of graduate school in Canada keeping you from pursuing your dreams of higher education?

Here's a solution worth exploring...find free money based on your skills and abilities!

Applying for scholarships and grants can go a long way in funding your graduate school studies.

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Graduate school scholarships can help you to finance your educational program by covering the costs of your:

• Tuition fees, textbooks, computers, and study devices.

• Living and transportation expenses.

Private/charitable organizations, educational institutions, and federal/provincial governments set up programs to award scholarships for graduate students who meet specific criteria.

Scholarship awards could be need-based, merit-based, or a combination of both.

There are many different types of scholarships for graduate students that you may qualify for.

• Scholastic scholarships are awarded based on your grades and academic standings.

• Need-based scholarships will consider your financial needs along with some basic scholastic qualifications.

• Sports-based scholarships will consider your achievements and career prospects in sports. Universities will also look for candidates who can contribute to their existing sports teams.

• Music-based scholarships will consider your special musical talents and achievements.

If you are a high academic achiever or have mastered a craft, you may also qualify for unique-abilities scholarships.

Daniel is a merit student who consistently maintains a 3.5 or higher GPA while working part-time to find his studies. He plays soccer and is on his university’s soccer team. Daniel is looking for scholarships to fund his Master’s program in Physics.

The first step in applying is to find scholarships that are available for your program of study. You can search for scholarships for graduate students through many different channels:

• University financial aid offices and guidance counsellors

• University websites, for example:

  University of Guelph scholarships and awards

• Scholarship websites and search engines such as:

  Scholarships, grants and bursaries for Canadian students

  Yconic.com 

  ScholarshipCanada

• Federal/Provincial government sites for scholarships such as:

  Federal scholarships

  Ontario graduate scholarship program

  Alberta student aid & scholarships

There are scholarships available for international students in Canada, but these funds are limited and highly competitive.

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As an international student, you can contact the admissions/financial aid office of your university for available scholarships, if any, and to learn about the application process.

You can also look for scholarships administered by the Canadian government, provincial governments, private foundations, and not-for-profit organizations.

Here are some useful websites for international students looking for scholarships:

• Government of Canada International Scholarships Program

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

• Fonds de recheche du Quebec Scholarships and Grants

• Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral scholarships

Applying for university admissions and scholarships can be challenging.

You can reduce some stress by careful research and planning.

Follow these three steps to apply for the scholarships you qualify for:

1. Complete online applications.

2. Write essays to highlight your qualifications, skills, and unique talents.

3. Submit your grades, essays, required documentation, and recommendations.

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1. Start the process early.

This will help you narrow down which scholarships for graduate students align with your goals and which ones you're likely to qualify for.

As you search for scholarships, understand the requirements, gather the required documentation and recommendations, write your essays and get them reviewed by peers or faculty.

2. Highlight your individual strengths.

In your essays, highlight your unique accomplishments, skills, and experience. Support your application with recommendation letters from teachers or employers.

3. Complete multiple applications.

Find multiple scholarships that align with your academic and financial goals. Applying for multiple scholarships will increase your chances.

4. Track your application process

Use a spreadsheet or tracker to keep track of application deadlines and your progress. A simple tracker could look like:

Image created by the author in Numbers.

Plan ahead and prepare well when applying for scholarships for graduate students in Canada: