Best Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada 2024
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According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), the number of Indian students in Canada has increased significantly over the past decade. As of 2023, there are over 230,000 Indian students enrolled in Canadian institutions. The availability of scholarships and financial aid has played a crucial role in this increase. So, let’s explore the top scholarships for Indian students in Canada and their eligibility criteria.
Types of Scholarship to Study in Canada for Indian Students
International students pursuing higher education in Canada can benefit from a variety of funding options offered by universities, the government, and non-governmental organizations.
Below are details of the different types of scholarships available in Canada for international students, including those from India.
Canadian Government Scholarships
Canadian Government Scholarships are designed to attract top international talent and support them in their academic pursuits in Canada. These scholarships often cover a significant portion of the costs associated with studying abroad, including tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.
Non-Government Scholarships
Non-Government Scholarships are offered by various trusts, foundations, and organizations. These scholarships are often geared towards students pursuing specific courses or fields of study and aim to encourage participation and development in those areas.
Institutional Scholarships
Institutional Scholarships are provided by individual universities and colleges in Canada to attract and support international students, including those from India. These scholarships can be based on merit, financial need, or specific fields of study.
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Popular Government Scholarships in Canada for Indian Students
For many students, securing a fully funded scholarship is the key to making their dream of studying in Canada a reality. These scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes even travel costs, allowing students to focus on their studies without financial worries. Here are some of the top fully funded scholarships available:
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is one of the most popular fully funded scholarships in Canada for Indian students. It is designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students. It provides $50,000 per year for three years during doctoral studies.
| Eligibility Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Nomination | A Canadian institution with a Vanier CGS quota must nominate candidates. |
| Citizenship | Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and foreign citizens, including Indian students. |
| Academic Excellence | Candidates must have achieved a first-class average, as determined by their institution, in each of the last two years of full-time study or equivalent. |
| Research Potential | Applicants should demonstrate a high standard of research potential, including a history of relevant research experience, publication records, and leadership roles. |
| Leadership Skills | Evidence of leadership skills and potential, which may include community involvement, extracurricular activities, and professional achievements. |
| PhD Program | Applicants must be pursuing their first doctoral degree (including joint undergraduate/graduate research programs such as MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD) at the nominated institution. |
| Program Duration | The scholarship is for a duration of three years. Candidates must not have completed more than 20 months of doctoral studies as of May 1 of the year of application. |
| Field of Study | Open to all fields of research. |
| Full-Time Enrollment | Candidates must be enrolled in a full-time doctoral program at the nominating Canadian institution. |
| Selection Criteria | The selection is based on three equally weighted evaluation criteria: Academic Excellence, Research Potential, and Leadership. |
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
These fellowships support PhD in Canada for Indian students with scholarship. They are highly competitive and provide $70,000 per year for two years to the best postdoctoral applicants.
| Eligibility Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international applicants. |
| Academic Qualifications | Must have completed a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a recognized institution within the last three years from the start date of the fellowship. |
| Eligible Research Fields | Health sciences, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. |
| Host Institution | Must secure sponsorship from a Canadian institution that will host the fellowship. |
| Application Timeline | Annual application process with deadlines typically in late September or early October. |
| Evaluation Criteria | Research excellence, leadership potential, and the quality and impact of proposed research program are evaluated. |
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
This scholarship is funded by the Canadian government for students from Commonwealth countries, including India. It covers travel, tuition, and living expenses.
| Eligibility Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Open to citizens of Commonwealth countries, including India. |
| Education Level | Typically available for Master’s (one or two years) and PhD study. |
| Academic Qualifications | Varies by country and level of study; generally requires a first-class or upper second-class degree, or equivalent qualifications for Master’s and PhD programs. |
| Age Limit | Varies by country; generally, candidates must be under 35 years for Master’s and under 40 years for PhD study at the start of the academic year. |
| Field of Study | Open to various fields of study, based on the priorities of Commonwealth member countries. |
| Duration | Scholarships typically cover the duration of the study program (one or two years for Master’s, up to three or four years for PhD). |
| Application Process | Applications are managed by Commonwealth member countries through nominating agencies or directly to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. |
| Selection Criteria | Academic merit, potential impact of the study, and the development impact on the applicant’s home country. |
Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship
The Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship is aimed at supporting students pursuing higher education in Quebec, including international students. These scholarships are typically administered through different provincial agencies such as FRQNT (Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies), FRQSC (Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture), and others.
| Eligibility Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and international students, including those from India. |
| Academic Requirements | Varies by specific scholarship program and agency (e.g., FRQNT, FRQSC). Typically requires academic excellence and fulfillment of program-specific requirements. |
| Field of Study | Open to various fields of study based on priorities set by Quebec provincial agencies. |
| Application Process | Managed through online portals provided by Quebec’s funding agencies. Requires submission of academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a research proposal. |
| Duration | Varies by scholarship program; can range from one-time awards to multi-year funding for doctoral studies. |
| Specific Requirements | Each scholarship may have additional specific criteria such as language proficiency, research experience, or residency requirements. |
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Popular Non-Government Scholarships to Study in Canada for Indian Students
The non-government scholarships for Indian students studying in Canada provide full financial assistance, including travel expenses, health insurance, housing costs, and monthly allowances, in addition to tuition.
These sponsorships demonstrate the organizations’ dedication to helping Indian students fulfill their academic goals and lessen the financial burden of attending university in Canada.
Trudeau Foundation Scholarships
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Field of Study | Must be pursuing doctoral studies in fields related to social sciences and humanities. |
| Value | Up to $60,000 per year for up to three years. |
| Additional Criteria |
|
Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Scholarships
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Fields Covered | Various fields of study based on specific program objectives and eligibility criteria. |
| Value | Varies by specific scholarship program and duration. Typically includes funding for research, travel, and living expenses during the tenure of the scholarship. |
| Application Process | Specific requirements vary by scholarship program, including academic merit and research proposal alignment. |
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Open to Indian citizens who have been continuously resident in India for at least 6 months prior to the application. |
| Fields Covered | Covers various fields, including humanities, social sciences, and fine arts, among others. |
| Value | The scholarship provides funding covering tuition fees (if applicable), living expenses, and other related costs. The exact amount varies depending on the program and duration of study. |
| Application Process | Applicants must demonstrate exceptional talent and potential in their chosen field of study. |
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarships
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and international students, including Indian students. |
| Field of Study | Must be pursuing doctoral studies in fields related to social sciences and humanities. |
| Value | Varies; includes a stipend of up to $60,000 per year for up to three years. |
| Selection Criteria | Emphasizes research excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to addressing societal issues through research. |
IDRC Research Awards
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Open to citizens of developing countries, including India. |
| Education | Must have a master’s or doctoral degree in a related field. |
| Research Experience | Demonstrated research experience and potential impact in developing countries. |
| Value | Covers research costs and includes a stipend. |
| Application Process | Applicants apply directly to the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). |
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Popular Institutional Scholarships in Canada for Indian Students
International students must carefully check their eligibility and meet application deadlines in order to meet the requirements for an institutional scholarship to study in Canada. It is imperative that potential candidates fully comprehend the particular prerequisites and application deadlines linked to each scholarship.
Ontario Trillium Scholarships (OTS)
The Ontario government and participating universities provide these scholarships for Masters in Canada for Indian students.
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Value | $5,000 per term for up to four terms (total $20,000) |
| Eligibility |
|
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships
The University of Toronto offers these scholarships annually, honouring exceptional students all around the world, including those attending Canadian high schools. About 37 students are recognized as Lester B. Pearson Scholars each year.
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Field of Study | Any undergraduate program at the University of Toronto |
| Value | Covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years |
| Eligibility | Outstanding international students, including Indian students, who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, creativity, leadership qualities, and community involvement. |
International Leader of Tomorrow Award
The International Leader of Tomorrow Award is a prestigious scholarship offered by the University of British Columbia (UBC) to attract exceptional international students, including those from India, who demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership potential, and a commitment to community service.
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Field of Study | Any undergraduate program at UBC |
| Value | Partial to full tuition coverage |
| Eligibility |
|
Humber College International Entrance Scholarships
Humber College International Entrance Scholarships are designed to support scholarship in Canada for Indian students after 12th in Canada.
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Field of Study | Any undergraduate program at Humber College |
| Value | Partial to full tuition coverage based on academic performance |
| Eligibility |
|
Carleton University Entrance Scholarships for International Students
They are one of the most undergraduate scholarships for Indian students in Canada.
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Field of Study | Any undergraduate program at Carleton University |
| Value | Various scholarships ranging from CAD 4,000 to CAD 16,000 over four years |
| Eligibility | International students, including Indian students, with strong academic achievements and leadership qualities. |
Alberta MBA Scholarships
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Provider | Alberta universities or business schools offering MBA programs |
| Field of Study | Master of Business Administration (MBA) |
| Value | Financial support or tuition coverage based on the scholarship program |
| Eligibility |
|
York University International Student Scholarship Program
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Field of Study | Any undergraduate program at York University |
| Value | Scholarships ranging from CAD 2,000 to CAD 35,000 per year |
| Eligibility | International students, including Indian students, with outstanding academic records, leadership potential, and community involvement. |
Numerous scholarships are available for Indian students aspiring to study in Canada. Whether you are looking for fully funded scholarships, specific programs for undergraduate or graduate studies, or financial aid after completing 12th grade, there is a scholarship out there to help you achieve your academic goals. Make sure to research and apply early to increase your chances of securing these valuable opportunities.
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