Looking into studying in Canada and need to find scholarship opportunities for international students. What are the best scholarships to apply for and how competitive are they?
When exploring scholarship opportunities in Canada for undergraduate students, several key ones stand out that carry substantial benefits and that are open to international students:
1. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship: Offered by the University of Toronto, this scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and living expenses for four years. This scholarship is quite competitive; each school can nominate only one student.
2. Global Leader of Tomorrow Award for International Students: This is offered by York University for international students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievements and leadership skills. This can cover $80,000-$100,000 for four years of study.
3. Humber College's International Entrance Scholarships: These are available for new international students starting classes in January and September of each year. The values range between $1,500 to $4,000 depending on GPA.
The competitiveness can vary widely. Some scholarships, like the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, are particularly competitive due to their financial value and prestige. Others may be less competitive due to a more niche focus or more generous allotment of awards.
Regardless, as an international student seeking scholarships, be ready to present robust academic credentials and demonstrate financial need and/or leadership capacity as directed by specific scholarships.
Remember that in addition to university-wide scholarships, individual colleges or programs within a university might have scholarships specifically for their students, so be sure to check with the financial aid office at the university you're interested in.
Also, an important note: International students are usually required to provide proof of sufficient finances to study in Canada as part of the student visa application, so scholarships should be secured ahead of this process.
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