Best Scholarship Opportunities for Indian Students in Canada

• Sakal India Foundation
• August 15, 2025
• Post Views: 20

Canada has become one of the most chosen study destinations among the Indians. The country has top-class universities, internationally ranked universities, multicultural cities and job opportunities after studies which gives an amalgamation of good quality education and a good way of life.

Nevertheless, the cost of studying abroad is pretty high. The costs of tuition, accommodation, living costs among many others may be very expensive. Fortunately, there are so many opportunities as a scholarship to Indian students to facilitate the cost of learning in Canada. Canadian government, universities and other organizations support these scholarships and each can be merit-based, need-based or program-specific.

This blog will take you through why Canada is a fabulous location to study higher education, the best scholarships of 2025 and how to apply to them, tips to increase your probability of success and frequently asked questions.

Why Choose Canada for Higher Education?

Canada has become a leading country where students of other nationalities can find their way because of the following:

1. Academic Excellence

The Canadian education system consists of the best universities and colleges globally and every course in the institutions involves the integration of theory and real world practical skills. The University of Toronto, McGill University and the University of British Columbia are research and innovation-oriented institutions.

2. Cheap Education

Although it may still be an expensive affair to study in Canada, the tuition fees might be favorable compared to those charged in other countries e.g. the US or the UK considering the quality of the education and the scholarship opportunities.

3. Multicultural and Safe Space

Canada is a very safe country in the world and boasts itself on being a multicultural-inclusive country. The students of India feel comfortable to adapt due to availability of diverse communities and cordial ambiance.

4. Post Study opportunities

Through Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP), graduates have the opportunity to get international working experience in Canada and enjoy the direction to permanent residence.

Top Scholarship Opportunities for Indian Students in Canada

In Canada, there are several organizations and institutions offering scholarships to assist international students to pay tuition fees and meet up with the living expenses. These are some of the most outstanding ones:

1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

• Provider: Government of Canada:
• Benefits: CAD 50000 a year max amount of 3 years at doctorate level.
• Qualifications: Research potential coupled with a leadership ability, and an outstanding performance in academic work.
• Best fit: Ph.D. (health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences or humanities).

2. International scholarships (Lester B. Pearson)

• Toronto University
• Benefits: Four-year full-tuition, four-year full books, four-year full incidental fees, and four years full residence support.
• Eligibility: Excellent academic prize, imagination and leadership.
• Who should apply: Excellent undergraduates (within such degree granting institutions as University of Toronto).

3. University of British Columbia (UBC), International Leader of Tomorrow Award

• Author: University of British Columbia
• Advantages: It will subsidize school cost and living costs which revert to your financial need.
• Qualifications: Leadership and academic performance and participation in the affairs of the college or community service.
• Perfectly Suited to: Ideal undergraduate students: Excellence and high-financial-need.

4. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

• Government of Ontario & Universities Involved & Provider
• Benefits:15000 CAD/ academic years.
• Eligibility: Good grades with graduate students pursue full time studies.
• Suits: Ontario students in either masters or doctoral level.

5. Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Awards

• Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute
• Benefits: Depends on the program they offer-can include travel, study costs and research costs.
• Eligibility: Only Indian students are eligible to the award at the graduate level (as well as post-graduate) in recognized institutions of learning.
• Best User: The research conducted by the student on his bonding or student exchange between Canada and India.

6. Humber international entrance scholarships 

• Humber College Producer:
• Advantages: Up to CAD 4,000 depending on the level of studies.
• Coverage: The international students seeking to study undergraduate programs.
• Students who would wish to undertake vocational training and career focused education in Canada.

Related Blog: Top Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in the UK in 2025

How to Apply for Scholarships in Canada?

Scholarships in Canada must be done with great planning, time and attention to detail. The scholarships might feature their own procedures, however defining the overall process, one has to start with researching possibilities, preparing required paperwork, and selling the idea to the scholarship sponsors that he or she is the right person to receive the money.

It is also possible to make your application stand above the rest applying a systematic procedure amongst the hundreds and even thousands of other applicants.

The guide on how to apply available scholarships in Canada:

• Early Research Scholarships At least 10 to 12 months prior to the start of your program, explore to find the scholarships that can suit you and make a note of their deadlines.
• Read the Eligibility: Take the time to read the eligibility criteria of any scholarship that you are interested in to determine whether you are eligible so you do not invest your time and then find yourself disqualified at the end of the process.
• Readiness of Documents: The documents that are usually required are Misc- academic transcripts, statement of purpose (SOP), letters of recommendation, English/French proficiency/ (IELTS, TOEFL, or the likes) and CV.
• Write a Strong Statement of Purpose: State emphatically your best and brightest academic moments, how you have acquired leadership qualities and what you wish to do with them and also state why you have settled on Canada.
• Put emphasis on the Achievements: Relate academic prizes/scholarships and work/volunteer experience and service to the community.
• Apply through the official portals: through scholarship webpage or fill the applications directly through a university of your choice via their web pages.
• Learn to respect Deadlines: Often, last minute mistakes are due to unforeseen technical problems and should be avoided by ensuring that all resources are submitted well in advance to crisis deadlines.
• Keep Applications Straight: Keep a checklist or a spread sheet to keep track of the scholarships you have applied to and what the status is on each.
• Study to write Interviews (where necessary): There are some competitive scholarship opportunities that will require an interview- practise common questions to be well prepared.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship

The competition to win scholarship to attend schools in Canada is very high since most talented students all over the world apply to fill few positions. In order to be outstanding, your application must provide evidence of academic achievement, good skills in leadership as well as having a proper vision of the future that you have. The chances of succeeding are much higher with the help of early preparation and tailoring each application to the needs of the scholarship.

The following are some useful ideas that may aid you in getting a scholarship:

• The Early Bird Catches the Worm: The later your search and the preparations you start, the less time you get to do research, collect documents and write the essay. So, calculate at least one year of activities previously.
• Apply to several Scholarships: You cannot apply to only one scholarship, more scholarships mean better chances to win.
• Brevity: Keep the character limit up to the standard requirements.
• Academic Performance: Good grades usually form the initial screen in the selection of scholarships.
• Present Leadership Abilities: Present the cases when you had to be a leader of a group, a project or a group initiative.
• Also Feature Community Service: Show your interest in promoting your community beyond school.
• Get Good Reference Letters: Select people to provide references who will be able to write in detail about you.
• Show a Career Plan: Show how the scholarship and studying in Canada will assist you with a long-term plan.
• Prepare Interviews: In case of short listing practice how to answer confidently and clearly the queries.
• Be Organized: Make a list of due dates, requirements and submission dates on each scholarship.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship

The competition to win scholarship to attend schools in Canada is very high since most talented students all over the world apply to fill few positions. In order to be outstanding, your application must provide evidence of academic achievement, good skills in leadership as well as having a proper vision of the future that you have. The chances of succeeding are much higher with the help of early preparation and tailoring each application to the needs of the scholarship.

The following are some useful ideas that may aid you in getting a scholarship:

• The Early Bird Catches the Worm: The later your search and the preparations you start, the less time you get to do research, collect documents and write the essay. So, calculate at least one year of activities previously.
• Apply to several Scholarships: You cannot apply to only one scholarship, more scholarships mean better chances to win.
• Brevity: Keep the character limit up to the standard requirements.
• Academic Performance: Good grades usually form the initial screen in the selection of scholarships.
• Present Leadership Abilities: Present the cases when you had to be a leader of a group, a project or a group initiative.
• Also Feature Community Service: Show your interest in promoting your community beyond school.
• Get Good Reference Letters: Select people to provide references who will be able to write in detail about you.
• Show a Career Plan: Show how the scholarship and studying in Canada will assist you with a long-term plan.
• Prepare Interviews: In case of short listing practice how to answer confidently and clearly the queries.
• Be Organized: Make a list of due dates, requirements and submission dates on each scholarship.

FAQs About Scholarship for Indian Students in Canada

Scholarships are frequently quite complex, particularly in terms of eligibility, application and funding of the scholarships. The following are some of the answers to the most frequently asked questions by Indian students concerning their application of scholarships in Canada.

Q1. Can I get a scholarship in Canada without IELTS?

It could be. Other universities or scholarships may take other evidence of English proficiency, that is, TOEFL, PTE, or English education completion at the previous education level. Other institutions can also exempt you the language test under particular conditions such as having been in an English speaking school at least over the years. But again, standardized score on language test is a preferred choice with most of the competitive scholarships.

Q2. What is the eligibility criteria for scholarships in Canada?

The eligibility criteria differ according to the scholarship in question, they may have an average of high academic achievements, leadership traits, societal installments, and language skills (either French or English). Financial need, study in a certain topic or pursuance of a particular degree such as master or PHD are also the considerations in some scholarships.

Q3. Can I work part-time in Canada while on a scholarship?

Yes. Majority of scholarships do not place boundaries on students working part-time. International students in Canada usually have the right to work during the academic period with no more than 20 working hours per week and without any limits and restrictions during school break periods, which should not contradict to the conditions under which a study permit is issued. This gives you opportunity to earn additional revenue and win working experience with the studies.

Q4. Are Canadian scholarships fully funded for Indian students?

Other scholarships such as the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship are full scholarships, and cover tuition, housing, books and so on. Others might also be partially funded; thus they only subsidize the costs. It is necessary to refer to the particular details of the scholarships to know what is included.

Q5. Can I apply for multiple scholarships in Canada at the same time?

Yes, you are suggested to apply to many scholarships so you increase your chances to win funding. Other scholarships though, particularly the full-ride ones, might not permit you to have two other awards at the same time. It is always good to check the terms and conditions before accepting a number of offers.

Conclusion

Canada is known to have world-renowned educational facilities, a range of cultural experiences and there is no dearth of post-study facilities- and through scholarships, these facilities would be easier to attain by the Indian students. Students are always under pressure to acquire education to achieve their dreams. However, its cost is always a burden to them considering that there are so many sources of funds available within the Canadian Government, to the institutions and the private organizations. With the assistance of the funds, students are able to bring the cost to minimum.

Your advantage can be contrasted to competition in that you started early, customized your applications and you were able to demonstrate academic excellence as well as leadership potential. When you are planning to study in Canada, then start searching your scholarship today as there might be right one to start changing your life through education.