🍁 GuideCAN Quick Answer
A Canadian master’s degree is not automatically fully funded. Eligible international applicants can pursue awards such as McCall MacBain and institution-funded packages, while CGRS Master’s is restricted to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons. Ask the department for a written funding breakdown before accepting.
Scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
| Funding route | Current value or coverage | International eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| McCall MacBain | Tuition and fees, $2,300/month during academic terms, relocation grant and possible summer support | Yes, for eligible McGill programs and applicants |
| CGRS Master’s | $27,000 for 12 months | No for study-permit holders alone; restricted citizenship/status rules |
| Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship | $11,000–$15,000 | Eligible international students enrolled at participating Alberta institutions may be selected |
| Department funding package | Varies: may combine awards, research work and teaching work | Program-specific |
Research versus course-based programs
Research programs are more likely to advertise supervisor, assistantship or departmental support, but this is not universal. Course-based and professional programs may offer entrance awards while expecting students to fund most costs. Compare the actual offer rather than assuming that every thesis program is funded or every course-based program is unfunded.
Read the funding letter line by line
Separate guaranteed scholarships from competitive awards and paid employment. Check tuition, mandatory fees, stipend duration, summer coverage, renewal conditions, expected work hours and whether external awards replace internal funding. A teaching or research assistantship is employment and should not be described as a no-strings scholarship.
Government award restrictions
The harmonized CGRS Master’s award is $27,000 for twelve months with a December 1 deadline before 8 p.m. ET, but international study-permit holders do not qualify unless they also hold an eligible status. Alberta’s graduate award can include international students, but institutions select recipients and set their own process.
- CGRS Master’s official rules
- Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship
- Track current scholarship deadlines
How to approach supervisors
Contact potential supervisors only where the program expects or permits it. Refer to their current research, explain the fit with your preparation and ask whether they expect to admit students for the intended term. Do not treat a positive email as funding; rely on the formal admission and funding documents.
Find scholarships matched to your profile
Use the GuideCAN Scholarship Finder to build a personalized shortlist based on your education, immigration status, province and background. Treat the results as a discovery tool, then confirm eligibility, value and deadlines on the official provider page before applying.
Written and reviewed by the GuideCAN Editorial Team
Last reviewed
Editorially reviewed for clarity, practical usefulness and alignment with the official starting points listed below.
Official sources
- McCall MacBain — Funding and eligibility
- CGRS Master’s — Official program
- Alberta — Graduate Excellence Scholarship
Official rules, fees, deadlines and program availability can change. Confirm the current details before acting.