A lot of people assume University of Toronto scholarships are only for “straight A geniuses” or students already living in Canada. That’s not true.
The University of Toronto has multiple scholarship routes for different student types, including automatic entrance awards, competitive international scholarships, faculty and campus awards, and major graduate funding.
This complete guide breaks down University of Toronto scholarships Canada offers, how they work, what they cover, and how to apply like someone who actually wants to win.
Understanding University of Toronto Scholarships Canada Offers
University of Toronto scholarships Canada options usually fall into four buckets:
- Automatic entrance scholarships: you are considered when you apply for admission, no separate scholarship form.
- Competitive major awards: you apply separately (or get nominated), and winners are selected through a committee process.
- Faculty and campus scholarships: each campus and faculty has its own awards, sometimes automatic, sometimes application-based.
- Graduate funding and external awards: funding for master’s and PhD students, including provincial and federal awards.
One important thing to know about University of Toronto scholarships Canada is that U of T has three campuses with different scholarship pools: St. George (downtown Toronto), Scarborough (UTSC), and Mississauga (UTM). You can be eligible for U of T wide scholarships and also campus-specific awards.
Who Can Get University of Toronto Scholarships in Canada
U of T scholarships can apply to:
- International students
- Canadian citizens
- Permanent residents
- Refugees and protected persons (in some funding categories)
- Undergraduate applicants
- Graduate applicants (master’s and PhD)
What changes is the scholarship type and how funding is paid. For example, some awards are designed strictly for international tuition support, while others are only for domestic students through government programs.
If you’re searching “University of Toronto scholarships Canada for international students,” focus heavily on the international major awards and international tuition-support awards described below.
Top University of Toronto Scholarships Canada for International Students
Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship
This is the biggest headline scholarship for international students because it is a full, four-year undergraduate scholarship built for top global students with leadership and impact. It’s also one of the most misunderstood scholarships because you cannot just apply casually; there is a nomination step.
Overview
The Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship is a full undergraduate scholarship for outstanding international students entering U of T for the first time. It targets students who combine strong academics with leadership and community impact.
The process involves nomination by your high school and then a separate scholarship application. For many students, this is the closest thing to a truly “all major costs covered” route at U of T.
Details
- What it covers: tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years.
- Who can apply: international students entering first-entry undergraduate programs.
- How selection works: your high school must nominate you first, then you complete U of T’s scholarship application using the private link you receive after nomination.
- Key timing tip: deadlines can shift each year, but for a recent cycle the nomination and scholarship deadlines were in October and November, so you must prepare early.
You’ll see this scholarship mentioned constantly when people talk about University of Toronto scholarships Canada because it’s one of the few that clearly covers tuition and residence together.
International Student Admission Scholarships for Faculty of Arts and Science
Many international students do not win Pearson, but still receive meaningful funding through international admission awards. Some of these are automatic and can cover major parts of tuition for multiple years depending on the award type.
Overview
U of T’s Faculty of Arts and Science has international admission awards for high-achieving international students. Many are automatically considered at the point of admission, which means your application quality matters a lot.
Some awards are structured to cover international tuition and certain compulsory fees over multiple years, but they may not cover residence. For students looking for University of Toronto scholarships Canada without nomination stress, this is a serious pathway.
Details
- What it can cover: international tuition and certain compulsory fees for up to four years (award-specific).
- Who can apply: selected outstanding international students admitted to Arts and Science.
- Selection method: typically automatic consideration, with merit and sometimes financial need considered.
- Best strategy: apply early with strong grades and a clear academic profile.
U of T International Scholar Award (UTM)
This is one of the strongest “big money” scholarship options for international students headed to the Mississauga campus.
Overview
The U of T International Scholar Award at UTM is designed to attract exceptional international students with strong academic performance. The award is renewable and can be very large over four years, depending on the tier you receive.
Students are usually considered automatically upon admission, which makes your entry application extremely important. If you want University of Toronto scholarships Canada that can actually move the needle on tuition, this one matters.
Details
- Award value: tiers can reach up to a total of $180,000 over four years (tiered amounts exist).
- Who can apply: international students admitted to UTM from secondary school.
- How selection works: automatic consideration, committee selection.
- Renewal: depends on maintaining conditions (usually academic standing and full-time status).
Rotman Commerce International Merit Award
For students aiming at commerce and business pathways, there are merit awards tied to admission categories.
Overview
Rotman Commerce has an international merit award structure for admitted international students. These awards can be renewable and are designed to reduce the tuition burden across four years.
If your plan is business, finance, accounting, or management, it’s smart to target scholarship routes linked to your admission category. This is one of the more practical University of Toronto scholarships Canada options for students who are strong academically but may not win a full scholarship.
Details
- Award value: can reach up to $100,000 over four years for some merit award structures, with renewal portions in later years (award-specific).
- Who can apply: international students admitted to the Rotman Commerce admission category.
- How selection works: typically admission-based consideration (award rules vary by year).
Related Post: Funded Scholarship for Masters in Data Science for International Students
Best Entrance Scholarships for All Students (Domestic and International)
President’s Scholars of Excellence Program
This is one of U of T’s most prestigious entrance scholarship programs because it combines money with structured opportunities.
Overview
The President’s Scholars of Excellence Program recognizes some of the most outstanding incoming students across U of T. It offers a significant entrance scholarship and may include added benefits depending on the admitting division.
The program is designed to support top students with experiences that strengthen their academic and career journey. When people search University of Toronto scholarships Canada, this is one of the first major entrance awards they find.
Details
- Scholarship value: an entrance scholarship in first year (commonly listed as $15,000 on the main Future Students description), with additional features potentially offered by the admitting division.
- How you’re considered: typically through admission consideration.
- Who it targets: top incoming students across campuses and faculties.
University of Toronto Scholars Program
This is the high-volume scholarship that many strong students receive automatically.
Overview
The University of Toronto Scholars Program is a broad admission award program that recognizes outstanding students at the point of entry. It is not as rare as Pearson or President’s Scholars, but it is still competitive and meaningful.
Many recipients get it without submitting a separate scholarship form. If you want University of Toronto scholarships Canada that are realistic for many applicants, this is a top example.
Details
- Award value: commonly $10,000 in first year (non-renewable).
- How you’re considered: automatic consideration at admission.
- Best strategy: strong grades, strong course rigor, and an early, complete application.
Graduate Scholarships and Funding at the University of Toronto
Graduate funding is where many students miss opportunities because they only focus on “tuition scholarships” and ignore research awards, provincial funding, and program packages. If you’re searching University of Toronto scholarships Canada for master’s and PhD, these are key.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
OGS is one of the most important provincial awards for graduate students at U of T, and it’s merit-based.
Overview
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship supports academic excellence for graduate students in Ontario universities. At U of T, the award is administered through graduate units, and deadlines can differ by department.
The funding is paid per session, and the total amount depends on how many sessions you hold the award. For many students, OGS is the most realistic “big” funding source inside the University of Toronto scholarships Canada ecosystem for graduate studies.
Details
- Value: $5,000 per session (commonly $10,000 for two consecutive sessions or $15,000 for three consecutive sessions).
- Who can apply: eligible master’s and doctoral students (rules vary by unit and competition stream).
- How to apply: through your graduate unit, following that unit’s deadlines and internal instructions.
Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS)
This is one of the best known international PhD funding opportunities in Ontario.
Overview
The Ontario Trillium Scholarship is designed to attract top international PhD students to Ontario for doctoral research. It is a nomination-based award, meaning you typically do not submit a stand-alone application as an individual in the normal way.
Many departments decide nominations from their admission pool. If you are aiming for PhD funding and searching University of Toronto scholarships Canada for international doctoral students, this is one of the biggest names to know.
Details
- Value: $40,000 per year for up to 4 years (department and program specifics can apply).
- Level: doctoral (PhD).
- Selection: nomination-based, usually through your graduate program.
Connaught International Scholarship and Connaught Funding
Connaught funding is often described as “top-up” style funding that strengthens a student’s overall package.
Overview
Connaught International Scholarship options are designed to help recruit and support top international doctoral students by adding funding on top of the graduate unit’s normal package. Many Connaught opportunities run through departmental nomination processes and internal timelines.
This is a smart funding route if you are already competitive for admission and want to strengthen your total funding. It’s an important part of the University of Toronto scholarships Canada landscape at the PhD level.
Details
- What it is: top-up style scholarship support for selected doctoral students.
- How it’s awarded: typically through graduate unit nomination and internal deadlines.
- Best move: contact your prospective department early and ask how they consider international applicants for Connaught funding.
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Doctoral (CGRS D)
This is the major federal doctoral research scholarship structure replacing older frameworks.
Overview
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Doctoral funding supports high-caliber doctoral researchers. It’s run through Canada’s research funding ecosystem and is a key external scholarship route for PhD students.
It has a defined value per year and a multi-year duration.If you are building a serious PhD plan, this belongs in your University of Toronto scholarships Canada strategy list even though it is a federal award.
Details
- Value and duration: $40,000 per year for up to 36 months.
- How to apply: either through your institution’s internal process or through the agencies’ procedures depending on your situation and eligibility rules.
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Master’s (CGRS M)
This is the major master’s research scholarship structure, but it has citizenship restrictions.
Overview
CGRS M supports research-based master’s students and is awarded for one year. It is competitive and requires strong academic and research promise. It is not always open to all international students, so eligibility matters.
For those eligible, it’s one of the strongest external awards that can complement University of Toronto scholarships Canada at the master’s level.
Details
- Value and duration: $27,000 for 12 months, non-renewable.
- Key note: eligibility rules can be restricted to Canadian citizens and permanent residents depending on the program framework.
How to Apply for University of Toronto Scholarships Canada the Smart Way
1) Decide your scholarship path early
You need to know which category you’re targeting:
- Automatic entrance awards
- Major awards requiring nomination
- Faculty and campus awards
- Graduate unit funding and external awards
2) Apply for admission early, with a scholarship mindset
Most automatic scholarships rely on:
- Your grades and course rigor
- Your admission category and faculty selection
- The strength of your application file
A late application can quietly reduce scholarship consideration, even when it’s not stated loudly.
3) Build a strong “scholarship profile”
Whether you’re applying for an entrance award or a graduate scholarship, the winners usually share:
- Strong academics
- Clear leadership or impact
- Strong writing (your statements and essays)
- Good references (teachers, principals, professors)
- Evidence of real work (projects, research, competitions, volunteering)
4) Treat nomination scholarships like a project
For Pearson style awards, your biggest risk is missing a nomination step. Start early with your school because nomination timelines can be strict.
5) For graduate students, talk to the department
Many graduate funding routes are controlled at the unit level. Two students can be in the same university and have different deadlines and processes because their departments differ.
Common Mistakes People Make With University of Toronto Scholarships Canada
- Applying late and assuming scholarships will “follow later”
- Ignoring campus differences (UTM vs UTSC vs St. George)
- Submitting generic essays with no clear story
- Weak reference letters because you didn’t brief your referees
- Only chasing one scholarship instead of building multiple funding paths
- Believing scholarship agents who ask for money to “guarantee” a U of T award
FAQ: University of Toronto Scholarships Canada
Can international students get University of Toronto scholarships in Canada?
Yes. There are major awards like Pearson and multiple admission scholarships designed for international students, including renewable awards in certain campuses and faculties. The key is to apply early and target scholarships that match your level and campus.
Is the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship fully funded?
It covers major study costs for four years including tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support. However, students should still plan for personal expenses that are not covered, depending on the official scholarship conditions for that year.
Do I need a separate scholarship application for U of T entrance awards?
Many entrance awards are automatic, meaning you’re considered when you apply for admission. But major awards and certain programs require additional steps like nomination, essays, or separate applications.
How much is the University of Toronto Scholars Program worth?
It is commonly valued at $10,000 for the first year and is non-renewable. It is one of the largest admission award programs by number of recipients.
What is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship value at U of T?
OGS is valued at $5,000 per session. Many recipients receive $10,000 for two consecutive sessions or $15,000 for three consecutive sessions, depending on the award duration granted.
Is Ontario Trillium Scholarship available for master’s students?
OTS is designed for international doctoral research students, not master’s programs. If you are pursuing a master’s, focus on departmental funding, OGS where eligible, and other award streams.
Can I combine multiple University of Toronto scholarships Canada awards?
Sometimes yes, but it depends on the terms of each award. Some scholarships allow stacking, while others replace or reduce funding if you receive additional major awards. Always check conditions in your offer letter or the award terms.
When should I start preparing for U of T scholarships?
Start as early as possible, ideally months before admission deadlines. Nomination-based scholarships often have earlier deadlines than general admission timelines.
Which U of T campus has the best scholarships for international students?
All three campuses have scholarships, but the best fit depends on your program and award eligibility. UTM is well known for its International Scholar Award structure, while St. George and UTSC also have major entrance awards and faculty-based funding.
Wrapping Up
University of Toronto scholarships Canada are not one single thing, they are a whole system. If you approach that system with strategy, you can find real funding whether you’re an international undergraduate, a domestic student, or a graduate applicant.
Focus on your campus and faculty, apply early, treat nomination scholarships like a serious project, and build a profile that proves you’re worth investing in. If you do that, University of Toronto scholarships Canada stops being a vague dream and becomes a plan with steps you can actually execute.