There are millions of students who wish to study in Canada but having the means to fund their studies is a big challenge, this is where scholarships and grants come in. In recent years, Canada has become an increasingly popular destination for higher education for a number of reasons, the top of which are high-quality education and the availability of a range of scholarships.
In case you are from any country around the world and wish to pursue an undergraduate or graduate program in Canada and would like to know how to apply for any of the scholarship programs, this article has been written specifically for you.
We will highlight the requirements, eligibility, and things to note as you move to begin the application process. A lot of universities, colleges, and private organizations in Canada offer different types of scholarships to international students who wish to study in the North American country, while some are fully funded, others come as partial grants.
The financial aids which are provided to international students generally cover the tuition fees at the university that granted the applicant admission, living expenses, transportation, and cost of study materials. The first step to securing a scholarship in Canada is to first figure out the institution you wish to study at then conduct research to know the scholarships available in your field and level of study at that particular university.
Eligibility Criteria
There are special requirements for international students seeking to benefit from scholarships in Canada. Eligibility criteria usually differ from scholarship to scholarship, and institution to institution but you can receive a Canadian scholarship if you meet the following general requirements that all scholarship providers take into account.
Academic Excellence
Most of the scholarships for international students in Canada require students to have excellent academic records. Those who apply must have excellent grades in their secondary school and high school leaving exams.
English Language Proficiency
You will be expected to prove your English language proficiency before you get admitted to a Canadian university and receive a scholarship. The English standard tests that most applicants are expected to take include IELTS or TOEFL.
Financial Need
Oftentimes, an applicant will be asked to prove their financial need (incapable of funding their studies in Canada.” They will have to provide supporting documents such as bank statements, tax returns, etc to back up the claim. These documents will be required when applying for need-based scholarships.
Extracurricular Activities
Some Canadian scholarships and universities ask students to show that they have participated in some extracurricular activities or been of help in their communities. Examples of this include volunteer work, community service, etc.
How To Apply
Let us move to the most important part – the application proper – which is a tough task for many students. Bear in mind that securing a scholarship in Canada requires mental and physical readiness, so you have to be proactive and persistent at every stage.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply
Research
First and foremost, you have to look for available scholarships that match your qualifications, interests, and educational goals. Some of the ways you can get enough information about scholarships in Canada include the internet (online search), attending seminars, and participating in various fairs.
Application Process
The actual work begins once you find the best scholarship opportunity that meets your requirements. You will need to visit the website of the university, government body, or private institution or their application portal where you can commence the process. Each application is different from the other, but all of them require the submission of a personal statement of purpose, letters of recommendation as well as transcripts from your school.
Keep Track
Create a system that makes it easy for you to follow up regularly after submitting your application for the scholarship. It requires patience and non-stop monitoring of the scholarship provider, you can also send an email if there are areas you need clarification on, like making sure that all your documents are received.
Prepare For Interview
If you pass the first phase of the scholarship application process, the awarding organization or institution will most likely reach out to you to schedule a real-time interview. For international students, this interview will be conducted virtually by video conference. An important tip to note while preparing for the interview is to be certain of why you want the scholarship, research the organization/institution, its activities, and your field of study.
Maintain Eligibility
An aspect of this entire process that many people are not made aware of is that you have to maintain eligibility mainly in the area of academic performance and other criteria set by the scholarship provider as this will help you to get an extension of the aid beyond the first year of study.
Students may be required to maintain a certain grade point average or participate in extracurricular activities for them to continue benefiting from the program or else they may lose their scholarship.
