Entrance scholarships at Canadian colleges and universities can reduce your tuition costs by thousands of dollars. This guide lists confirmed awards at ApplyBoard partner schools for 2027.
Many Canadian schools award these scholarships automatically. You only need to meet the grade requirement. Some awards reach $90,000 CAD over four years. Others provide a one-time reduction at enrolment. Both types can make a real difference to your study budget.
This article uses data confirmed from each institution's official website. Award amounts and conditions for 2027/2028 may not yet be published. Always verify the latest figures directly with the school before you make an enrolment decision.
Note: All scholarship figures in this article were confirmed from each institution's official scholarships or financial aid page. Award amounts, eligibility criteria, and deadlines can change each academic year. Confirm all details with the institution directly before applying.
Find Schools That Reward Your Grades
Your ApplyBoard counsellor can match you to Canadian partner schools where your academic results may qualify you for automatic entrance awards.
What Is an Entrance Scholarship?
An entrance scholarship is money a school awards you when you first enrol. You do not need to have studied there before. Most entrance scholarships are based on your final secondary school average. A higher average usually means a larger award.
Some entrance scholarships are automatic. The school calculates your average and credits the award to your tuition account. Others require a short application by a set deadline. A small number are competitive and have limited funding, so applying early gives you the best chance.
Entrance scholarships are different from bursaries. A bursary is based on financial need. A scholarship is usually based on academic merit. Some awards combine both criteria.
How Much Can You Win? Confirmed Ranges at ApplyBoard Partner Schools
As of 2026, confirmed entrance awards at ApplyBoard partner institutions in Canada range from $500 CAD to $90,000 CAD over four years. The table below shows confirmed scholarship ranges. All figures are in Canadian dollars. Check each institution's official page for 2027/2028-specific amounts before you apply.
University Entrance Scholarships: Confirmed Details
University of Regina
The University of Regina offers the largest confirmed entrance scholarships for international students among ApplyBoard's Canadian university partners. Three automatic and application-required awards are available for new undergraduates entering directly from secondary school.
The International Entrance Scholarship is worth $5,000 CAD. It is automatic. You need a high school average of at least 83% on the Canadian scale. No separate application is required.
The International Student of Distinction Tier 1 is worth $90,000 CAD over four years (about $22,500 per year). It also includes on-campus housing and a meal plan. You need a high school average of at least 90%. The fall entry deadline is April 30.
The International Student of Distinction Tier 2 is worth $45,000 CAD over four years (about $11,250 per year). It includes on-campus housing. You need a high school average of 85% to 89.99%. The fall entry deadline is also April 30.
Tier 1 and Tier 2 awards are renewable for up to four years. To renew, you must complete at least 24 credit hours per year and maintain an 80% GPA.
Source: University of Regina International Scholarships
Trent University
Trent University automatically considers all qualifying international undergraduate applicants for entrance scholarships. You do not need a separate application. Awards are based on your Canadian-equivalent high school average.
Scholarships are renewable each year. To renew, you must maintain an 80% average in a full course load from the previous academic year. Funds are credited to your Trent account near the start of your first term. For fall 2027 entry, Trent recommends applying by February 1, 2027, to receive a scholarship decision by March 1, 2027, in time to support your study permit application.
Tip! Trent University encourages you to include your scholarship offer letter with your Canadian study permit application. A scholarship letter can strengthen your application by showing IRCC that you have financial support and a confirmed place at a Canadian institution.
Source: Trent University International Scholarships and Awards
Laurentian University
Laurentian University's International Academic Excellence Scholarships reward high academic achievement for new international undergraduates. Awards are based on your admission average. You must enrol full-time (30 credits per year) in a first undergraduate degree program. Students who already hold a university degree are not eligible.
Awards are renewable for up to three years (or until graduation, whichever comes first). To renew each year, you must maintain an average of at least 80% (Laurentian GPA of 7.5). Scholarship payments are made in November and February of each academic year.
Source: Laurentian University International Student Scholarships
Algoma University
Algoma University awards entrance scholarships to international students based on their top six Grade 12 U/M course equivalents. Awards range from $500 to $5,000 per year. You must hold a valid Canadian study permit on your first day of class.
Warning! Algoma University's official scholarships page states that entrance and renewal scholarships are under review for the 2027/2028 academic year and may change without notice. Confirm the current amounts directly at Algoma University International Scholarships before applying. The first-consideration deadline for most Algoma awards is March 1.
Yorkville University
Yorkville University does not offer merit scholarships to international students. It offers tuition bursaries instead. A bursary reduces the cost of your program without a separate scholarship application. The bursary is applied automatically when you pay your tuition deposit and enrol.
- International Student Bursary (Bachelor of Business Administration): Up to $24,760 CAD applied across your program
- International Student Bursary (Bachelor of Interior Design): Up to $20,000 CAD
- International Student Bursary (Master of Business Administration): Up to $10,000 CAD
- LDC International Bursary: $10,000 CAD for students from a UN-designated Least Developed Country (on-campus programs only)
- USMCA Bursary: US and Mexican citizens with proof of citizenship pay the domestic tuition rate instead of the international rate
Note: You cannot combine Yorkville's International Student Bursary with other Yorkville bursaries, except the Yorkville Alumni Bursary. Contact an Admissions Advisor to confirm your eligibility and bursary amount for your specific program.
Source: Yorkville University Scholarships and Bursaries
College and Polytechnic Entrance Scholarships
Sheridan College
Sheridan College automatically awards an entrance scholarship to all new full-time international students. No separate application is needed. The amount depends on the length of your program. Funds are disbursed in two installments during your first year of study.
You must remain enrolled full-time (minimum 70% course load) past the 10th day of classes. The Bachelor of Animation and Practical Nursing programs are not eligible for this scholarship.
Source: Sheridan College International Scholarships and Awards
Niagara College
Niagara College offers multiple awards for new international students. You can receive only one bursary or award per term. Most awards are applied automatically after the 10th day of classes. Some require you to submit information before your first day of class.
- Global Scholarship ($4,000 CAD): Available to all new international students starting in Winter 2027 or Spring 2027. Submit required information before your first day of class.
- Language Ready Scholarship ($1,000 CAD): For students who demonstrate CLB 9 language proficiency or equivalent. Submit before your first day of class.
- Niagara College Degree Bursary ($2,500 to $20,000 CAD): For international students in degree programs entering from Fall 2026 onward. You must maintain a minimum 65% GPA. Applied automatically after day 10.
- EAP to Postsecondary Scholarship ($2,500 to $5,000 CAD): For students who complete Level 5 of Niagara's English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program and then enrol in an academic postsecondary program. Applied automatically.
- Second Program Scholarship ($1,000 to $2,000 CAD): For international students pursuing a second credential at Niagara College.
Source: Niagara College International Scholarships and Bursaries
Fleming College
Fleming College offers an Entry Scholarship of up to $3,200 CAD for new international students. The scholarship is open to students starting in Fall 2026 or Winter 2027 in a full-time certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, or graduate certificate program. Each student can receive the award only once. Awards are given based on availability, not as a guaranteed amount.
The scholarship is deposited to your Fleming College student account a few weeks after the 10th day of class. You must receive a scholarship confirmation letter before the funds are released.
Source: Fleming College Scholarships for International Students
Let Your Counsellor Compare Schools and Awards for You
ApplyBoard counsellors can review your grades and program interests, then show you which partner schools offer the largest entrance scholarships for your profile.
How to Secure an Entrance Scholarship in Canada
Keep Your Grades High
Most entrance scholarships use your final secondary school average. Aim for 80% or above to access most awards. A 90% or higher average opens the largest scholarship tiers at schools like Trent University, Laurentian University, and the University of Regina.
Apply Early
Some scholarships have limited funding or firm deadlines. The University of Regina's Distinction awards close on April 30 for fall entry. Algoma University gives first consideration to students who apply by March 1. Applying early also gives you time to use your scholarship letter to support your study permit application to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
Accept Your Offer Promptly
Many entrance scholarships cannot be deferred to a later semester. If you delay your enrolment, you may lose the award. Accept your admission offer and confirm your scholarship as soon as possible after receiving your offer letter.
- Stay enrolled full-time. Most entrance scholarships require full-time enrolment. Dropping below the minimum course load can cancel your award for that term.
- Plan for renewal conditions. Renewable scholarships require a minimum grade average each year. At Trent and Laurentian, that minimum is 80%. At the University of Regina, you need 80% GPA and at least 24 credit hours per year.
- Check program exclusions. Some schools exclude specific programs. Sheridan College excludes the Bachelor of Animation and Practical Nursing programs from its entrance scholarship.
- Verify directly with the school. Award amounts, eligibility rules, and deadlines change each year. Always check the institution's official scholarships page or call the international admissions office before you commit to an offer.
Key Application Deadlines to Know for 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the school. Many Canadian colleges and universities, including Trent University, Laurentian University, and Sheridan College, award entrance scholarships automatically when you meet the grade or enrolment requirements. You do not need to submit a separate application. Other schools, such as the University of Regina for its Distinction awards, require you to submit an application by a set deadline. Always check the official scholarships page for each school before you apply.
The minimum grade average for most Canadian university entrance scholarships is 75% to 80% on the Canadian equivalent scale. Higher averages unlock larger awards. For example, Trent University starts entrance awards at 80%, Laurentian University starts at 80%, and the University of Regina's largest award requires 90%. Your secondary school grades are converted to a Canadian equivalent by the admissions office when you apply.
Some are and some are not. At Trent University, Laurentian University, and the University of Regina, entrance scholarships are renewable for multiple years if you maintain a minimum average (typically 80%) in a full-time course load. At Algoma University, only the Chancellor's Award is renewable. One-time awards like Algoma's President's Award and Dean's Award apply only in your first year. Check each school's renewal conditions carefully before you accept an offer.
Yes. Some Canadian schools, including Trent University, encourage you to include your scholarship offer letter with your study permit application to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). The letter shows that you have a confirmed place and financial support for your studies in Canada. Ask your school's international office if they can issue a scholarship letter before your visa application deadline.
Yes, it is possible. Most entrance scholarships come with conditions you must meet to keep the award. Common conditions include staying enrolled full-time, maintaining a minimum grade average, and not deferring your start date. Dropping below the required course load or grade average may cancel or reduce your scholarship. Read the conditions in your scholarship offer letter carefully before you accept.
Securing an entrance scholarship at a Canadian college or university takes focus and early planning. Protect your grades, apply before each school's deadline, and confirm your scholarship conditions before you accept your offer. Your ApplyBoard counsellor is here to help you compare options and find the best match for your academic profile and goals.
Start Your Application with ApplyBoard Today
Create your free account to explore programs at Canadian partner schools and connect with a counsellor who can help you find entrance scholarship opportunities that match your grades.