🍁 GuideCAN Quick Answer
The strongest verified undergraduate options include Pearson at the University of Toronto, UBC International Scholars, UBC merit awards, Waterloo international entrance scholarships and McGill entrance scholarships. Some are automatic; Pearson, UBC International Scholars and McGill major awards require additional steps.
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| Award | Published value or coverage | Separate application? |
|---|---|---|
| Pearson | Tuition, books, incidental fees and residence support for four years | Yes; school nomination, admission and award documents |
| UBC International Scholars | Need-based amount determined by the program | Yes; admission and award application |
| UBC IMES | $10,000–$25,000 per year for 2026/2027 | No separate award application; apply by admission deadline |
| Waterloo International Student Entrance Scholarship | $10,000 applied across first- and second-term tuition | Automatic for eligible programs |
| McGill major entrance scholarships | Value depends on the award | Yes; international-school applicants currently have a Jan 21 scholarship deadline |
Automatic consideration versus a separate application
Automatic does not mean guaranteed. UBC considers eligible international applicants for IMES and the Outstanding International Student Award through admission. Waterloo automatically considers eligible international fee-paying first-year students for its $10,000 entrance scholarship. McGill automatically considers eligible first-time undergraduates for its one-year entrance scholarship, but major entrance scholarships require a separate portal application.
Major 2026/2027 deadlines
Pearson uses three deadlines: October 9 for school nomination, October 16 for admission and November 6 for award documents. UBC International Scholars uses November 15 for both admission and the award application, with required admission documents and English requirements due January 31, 2027. McGill currently lists January 21 for major entrance scholarship applications from schools outside Canada.
How to compare an offer
Check whether the award is one-time or renewable, the number of eligible years, minimum course load, renewal average and whether tuition rises faster than the award. Need-based support can require detailed family financial information. Merit awards may consider extracurricular and community contributions in addition to grades.
Application integrity
Follow the award’s authorship rules. The University of Toronto says generative AI must not be used to compose undergraduate award applications and may disqualify applicants who do so. Keep drafts and submission receipts, and make sure referees submit their own truthful assessments.
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
- University of Toronto — Pearson Scholarship
- UBC — International student awards
- Waterloo — International scholarships
- McGill — Entrance scholarship instructions
Official rules, fees, deadlines and program availability can change. Confirm the current details before acting.