Top Canada Scholarships for International Students in 2026

Canada is one of the popular destinations for Indian students to study abroad, but most of them drop the idea of getting admission to Canadian universities due to the expensive cost of studying. Getting a scholarship is the best way to cover a major part of the expenses.

The tuition fees and high cost of living in Canada are major hurdles for Indian students who want to study at top Canadian universities. Most students have little idea about the popular scholarships available to study in Canada. With standard international tuition ranging from CAD 30,000 to CAD 65,000 annually, finding credible financial aid is important.

Fortunately, the Canadian government, private organizations, and universities offer highly lucrative Canadian scholarships for Indian students. Whether you are aiming for the Fall 2026 intake or planning for 2027, securing the right grant can drastically cut your expenses. 

First, you need to find the correct scholarship which fullfills your requirements. Later, you need to know the basic eligibility for getting the scholarship. This comprehensive guide covers values in INR, critical exam cut-offs, and deadlines to make your study abroad journey affordable.

Popular Scholarships to Study in Canada

There are three major types of scholarships available in Canada for international students:

• Canadian Government Scholarships
• Non-Government scholarships
• Canadian University scholarships 

Students can avail these scholarships based on their academic performance, first come first get basis, and need-based basis. 

Top Scholarships for Indians to Study in Canada

Check out these popular scholarships for studying in Canada.

1. Shastri Research Student Fellowship: Shastri Research Student Fellowship is available for students who are enrolled in Bachelor’s, Master’s, and M.Phil level courses in recognized Canadian and Indian institutions. The fellowship is meant to support the students to undertake research, study an e-course, or take part in an e-internship. Students can receive an award for CAD 500 to CAD 1,000 for up to 8-12 weeks. In order to be eligible, students are required to complete at least six months (one semester) of their course from a member institution of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute or from an institution that falls under the aegis of the Shastri network.
2. IDRC Research Awards: IDRC Research Awards are meant for those students who are pursuing their studies in Climate-Resilient Food Systems, Democratic and Inclusive Governance, Education and Science, Global Health, and Sustainable Inclusive Economies. The amount awarded is in the range of CAD 42,033 to CAD 48,659. Preference is given to those students who have completed their Master’s degree. Moreover, candidates must be enrolled in a Canadian university and must have a valid full-time work permit (37.5 hours/week).
3. Hani Zeini Scholarship: The Hani Zeini scholarship is provided to those students who have a recognized financial need and want to pursue a career that is enterprising and entrepreneurial in nature. The scholarship is provided to students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees and applies to all universities across Canada. This scholarship covers tuition fees and expenses and the maximum amount per student stands at USD 1,000.
4. UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award: The International Leader of Tomorrow Award recognizes international undergraduate students who demonstrate superior academic achievement, leadership skills, involvement in student affairs and community service, and recognized achievement in fields of endeavour such as the performing arts, sports, debating or creative writing, or external academic competitions and examinations. International Leader of Tomorrow Award-winners receive an award level commensurate with their financial need as determined by the costs of their tuition, fees, and living costs, minus the financial contribution the student and their family can make annually towards these costs.
5. Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship: The Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program was named after two members of the ACFE, Larry Jennings and Tracy Ritchie. The scholarship is available to students for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is applicable across all the universities in Canada. The maximum scholarship amount per student stands at USD 10,000. The scholarship is provided to students pursuing courses in Criminal Justice, Accounts, Business Administration, and Finance.

Note: The above-mentioned scholarships are not limited to Indian students only. Some of them are also scholarships for international students in Canada.

Eligibility Criteria & Mandatory Exams for Canadian Scholarships

To successfully qualify for Canada masters scholarship eligibility or top undergraduate grants, Indian applicants must meet strict institutional criteria:

• Academic Standing: For undergraduate awards, a minimum score of 85-90% in class 12th state or central boards is mandatory. For postgraduate awards, a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 8.0 out of 10 (or a first-class degree equivalent) is required.
• English Language Proficiency Cut-offs:
  • IELTS Academic: An overall band score of 6.5, with no individual module band lower than 6.0. Competitive full rides often require an overall band score of 7.0 or higher.
  • TOEFL iBT: A minimum total TOEFL score of 6.5.
• Standardized Tests: GRE or GMAT tests are generally optional in Canada. However, submitting a quantitative GRE score above 160 can give you a significant advantage when applying for competitive, numbers-heavy Master's or PhD programs.

Tips to Get Scholarships in Canada

Now that we have read about some Canadian scholarships for Indian students, it is imperative to know certain tips on how to get scholarships in Canada:

• Build a strong profile: Whether it is through certification courses or through community involvement, you need to build a strong profile. Getting a scholarship in Canada for Indian students can be a fiercely competitive process. You must not leave any loopholes in this regard. Getting a 100% scholarship in Canada can be a challenging task; for this reason, you cannot ignore the necessity of having a strong profile.
• Be serious about your documents: Be very serious when it comes to scholarship essays and other related documents. Casual behaviour is not acceptable when it comes to securing a scholarship.
• Prepare well for the scholarship interview: You must prepare well for your scholarship interview, even if you are confident about your academic profile.

That's all about the topic. For help with university applications or scholarships, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.