Merit Scholarships for International Students in Canada?

I'm an international student looking to study in Canada, and I'm trying to find information on merit scholarships available. Which universities offer good merit scholarships, and what are the requirements typically like? Any tips or advice would be appreciated!

Many Canadian universities offer merit scholarships to outstanding international students. Here are some examples:

- University of Toronto: They have a few scholarships specifically for international students such as the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship which covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full-residential support. To apply for the Pearson Scholarship, you, first, need to be nominated by your school or by the college you're applying to at U of T.

- University of British Columbia: Their International Major Entrance Scholarship is dedicated to outstanding international students. It's a one-time award, ranging from $5,000 to full-tuition coverage.

- McGill University: McGill offers a range of scholarships for international students. One of the most significant is the McCall MacBain Scholarships, which are full-ride scholarships awarded to master's students based on character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.

In terms of requirements, these can change based on the school you're applying to and the scholarship itself, but typically they would be interested in high academic achievers who have shown leadership qualities and a commitment to service in their communities. Be prepared to possibly write an essay or have teachers submit a letter of recommendation demonstrating your accomplishments.

For tips, start your search early on and apply to as many scholarships as you are eligible for. Also be sure to meet all deadlines and fully complete all required documentations and essays in the application. Tailoring your scholarship application - crafting essays that reflect the mission and values of the scholarship - can often make you a more competitive candidate. It may also be worthwhile to consider Canadian schools that offer generous need-based aid in addition to merit scholarships.

Finally, it's important to remember that while scholarships can help, you should also consider the overall cost of studying in Canada including living expenses and other costs. Schools often have net price calculators on their website to help you determine this.

Good luck with your scholarship hunt!