What types of scholarships are available at Canadian universities? Are they similar to American universities in being need-based or merit-based?
Canadian universities offer various scholarships similar to those in the U.S., with both merit-based and need-based options. The types and criteria can differ by institution and program level.
Here’s a quick overview:
Merit-Based Scholarships: Awarded for academic excellence, leadership, or extracurriculars. These are common for both undergraduate and graduate students but are often competitive.
Need-Based Scholarships: Based on financial need, though fewer are available to international students compared to domestic ones.
Entrance Scholarships: Automatically given based on academic performance at the time of admission—no separate application required.
Graduate Research Scholarships: Typically for graduate students, funded by universities or external bodies for research projects.
Specialized Scholarships: Target specific groups, like fields of study or underrepresented communities.
Government Scholarships: Programs like Vanier or CGS support both Canadian and international students, particularly for graduate-level research.
While both countries offer similar scholarships, Canadian universities may rely more on government funding for grad students, and automatic entrance scholarships are more common.