Canada is one of the premier study destinations for international students from around the globe. Offering high-quality education in an inclusive multicultural environment and boasting an outstanding standard of living, Canada draws students seeking higher education from all corners. However, studying there can be expensive; luckily there are various financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to international students looking to study there.
This blog post will highlight some of the financial aid and scholarship options available to international students studying in Canada.
Canadian Government Scholarships
The Canadian government offers international students who want to study in Canada several scholarships and awards through different programs such as Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships, and Canada Graduate Scholarships. Eligibility criteria may differ so it’s wise to research each program thoroughly prior to making your decision.
University-Specific Scholarships
Most Canadian universities provide their own scholarship and financial aid programs for international students studying at Canadian institutions, covering tuition fees, living expenses or both. It’s wise to check with any potential schools of your interest regarding available scholarships as well as eligibility criteria before making your decision.
Private Scholarships
Numerous private organizations and foundations offer scholarships to international students looking to study in Canada. Examples of such organizations are the Canadian Bureau for International Education, Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan and International Council for Canadian Studies. Such private scholarships often have specific eligibility criteria such as academic merit, financial need or field of study requirements.
Work-Study Programs
Many Canadian universities provide work-study programs for international students studying in Canada. This enables students to earn money to cover living expenses while they study and gain work experience while lessening financial pressure during study abroad. Work-study programs can also be an invaluable opportunity to develop employment skills while making studying less financially demanding.
Student Loans
Student Loans International students studying in Canada may qualify for student loans offered by both the Canadian government and private banks to cover tuition fees and living expenses. As eligibility requirements and interest rates may differ depending on which loan options are chosen, it’s wise to do your research thoroughly before making your selections.
Studies abroad can be transformative experiences for international students, yet their tuition and living costs can be prohibitively expensive. Thankfully, financial aid and scholarship options exist to cover tuition and living costs; research these options thoroughly and apply early for them so as to increase your odds of receiving financial support or scholarships.