Yes, so many applications and so many rejections as well. None is working out!!! Don’t worry scholars. This article will help you know how to get a scholarship in Canada.
You may have applied for many scholarships and haven’t gotten any or even what you wanted. It simply means you haven’t carefully followed these steps.
Finance has been a major issue for both International and local students within and outside Canada. It’s true that Canada is a dream country for most international students, but it seems unachievable because of the tuition fee.
It is important for any student who wants to study abroad in Canada on scholarships to know how to get a scholarship in Canada before applying.
Due to the significantly expensive cost of education in Canada, many scholars have left their dreams of furthering their studies in Canada.
However, some others have taken the opportunities of financial aid to remedy or eventually clear the debt of the fees that come with studying in Canada.
We would find out the procedures you need to successfully apply for a scholarship to study in Canada. Before we do that, let’s take a look at some important information you need to know starting from financial aid and those available in Canada.
Table of Contents
Financial Aids to Study in Canada
Financial Aids that are taken by students in Canada take different forms. For the sake of this article, we’ll concentrate our effort on “scholarships” as financial aid and how to get them. However, we’ll give you a little description of what the other financial aids look like.
These financial aids include:
- Grants & Scholarships
- Federal Work-Study
- Student Loans.
Grants and Scholarships
Scholarships and grants are sorts of “gift aid” or free money. This means that these funds don’t have to be repaid. These finances are available through federal and state governments, colleges and universities, and local and national private organizations, and are awarded based on a variety of factors such as:
- Academic merit
- Artistic, musical, or athletic talent
- Interest in a particular field of study
Through grants and scholarships are similar, they are however different in that grants are given based on financial need, while scholarships are merit-based and awarded to students based on their field of study, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, etc.
There are several scholarships available to both International and local students and are available on the website. Follow the world scholars hub for more scholarship updates.
Federal pell grants are awarded to undergtaduates who display high financial need. visit here for more info
Federal Work-Study
Federal work-study permits the scholars to work part-time on or near campus while still studying in college. Students get these funds according to the hours they’ve worked.
They can use the earnings to care for living expenses, books and supplies, and other indirect educational expenses.
Also note that these work-study earnings are taxable, but are excluded from the student’s total income within the financial aid calculation.
Student Loans
Student loans are sums of money gotten from financial organizations that help students pay their college expenses. Unlike scholarships and grants, these loans must be repaid.
Aside from scholarships, you can also get into Canada via student loans.
Categories and Classifications of Scholarships in Canada
Scholarships are categorized according to the degree of study. In Canada these include:
- Undergraduate Scholarships
- Masters Scholarships and
- Ph.D. Scholarships.
So many scholarships are available by these individual descriptions in Canada. It is therefore necessary as the first step that you identify the category of scholarship you’re applying for and commence by knowing the basic requirements for undergraduate scholarships.
Another classification to look out for as a scholar seeking financial aid is the classification listed below:
- Academic scholarships
- Community service scholarships
- Athletic scholarships
- Scholarships for hobbies and extracurriculars
- Scholarships based on applicants’ identities
- Need-based scholarships
- Employer scholarships and military scholarships.
What is the General Application Process for Getting a Scholarship in Canada Like?
Before applying for a scholarship in Canada, some sponsors or Universities may require that you first make your application to the university of your choice.
The process for application and getting a scholarship in Canada involves:
- Definition of your choice of course
- Research on a Canadian University that offers the course
- Application to the University of Interest
- Submission of Application forms to the University
- Submission of documents required by the University
- Interview
- Get Admitted by University and Approved
- Apply for Scholarship
- Follow the Application Process as well as Document submission.
- Interview
- Assessment and Acceptance.
Note that you can apply for the scholarship alongside the University application
Documents to Submit During Scholarship Application Process to Study in Canada
The documents required by the sponsors of the scholarship may differ according to the degree to which the scholarship is applied. Undergraduate, Masters and Ph.D. all have their individual scholarship document required.
However, many documents are found to be common. Providing all of these documents can give you a strong edge when it comes to getting a scholarship to study in Canada.
Documents to submit during scholarship application in Canada include:
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Scholarship Application Form
Ensure that the application form is completed carefully and honestly. It’s part of the scholarship assessment.
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Copy of your Passport/ID
This aids in providing a recognized means of validation. The passport must be a valid one(at least six months after your departure). A copy of the main page of the passport, containing your photo and personal information is sufficient.
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Transcripts/Diplomas
This is another document that cannot be neglected by the sponsorship bodies. The transcript of records is a photocopied page that contains your courses and grades as well as credits that you achieved for each course.
The document should have an official signature and stamp from your school or faculty, which serves to prove its authenticity before the selection committee.
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Proof of Language Proficiency
You’ll also be required to provide proof of language proficiency in the language of instruction in your course of studies. Since English and French is the major spoken language in Canada, you’ll need to provide the following language test scores:
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- English: IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge
- French: DELF or DALF.
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you need to provide one of these documents as a proof of language proficiency
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Statement of Purpose / Letter of Motivation
Most if not all Canadian universities and scholarship sponsors usually require a statement of purpose as part of the assessment process.
A motivational letter, also known as a personal statement is a short piece of writing all about you; This statement should be one page of about 400 words in which you explain the reasons why you applied to the chosen degree course and how it relates to your future studies and career goals.
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Letter of Recommendation
Usually, you’re required to provide two letters of recommendation from your teachers/lecturers or employer/person, or anyone who has supervised you for a reasonable period of time. This helps the scholarship providers with much more information about you- skills, intellectual capacity, etc.
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Curriculum Vitae/Resume
Scholarship providers also require a CV as part of the assessment. Providing a proper CV will give any scholar an edge.
You may not have work experience during your time of application; make sure to include your study experiences, hobbies, interests, achievements and social skills, even language skills and volunteering experiences, etc. Learn how to write a CV.
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Standardized Test Scores
One of the most important requirements. Most universities use standardized test scores to select among the scholarship recipients.
Some of the recognizes standardized test scores in Canada include:
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- SAT,
- ACT,
- GRE,
- GPA ,etc.
Additional Documents that Will Help you Get a Scholarship in Canada
Aside from the above-listed documents, the following documents will give you an edge in the scholarship application to universities in Canada:
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Portfolio
For students who apply for art, design, and other similar degrees, a portfolio is required. It should include your artistic work and projects.
Recognize that for art degrees, the portfolio is much more or equally relevant compared to your GPA score when it comes to showing your skills.
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Essay
Aside from the letter of motivation, universities in Canada may require you to write an essay and touch upon a certain subject, usually related to the scholarship.
Take the essay section seriously. If you don’t know how to express yourself in essays, then learn it since it goes a long way in determining your eligibility. Take care in writing these essays(very important). The essays are an important part of the selection criteria.
Also, make sure to follow the guidelines of the essay as requested.
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Parent’s Financial Information
Because these sponsors want to be sure you can’t be sponsored in school, they require that you provide them with your parent’s financial information.
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Medical Report
To get a scholarship in Canada, you’ll need to provide an official medical report, one duly signed by an authorized official.
Even after the process, and passing the criteria, some universities still conduct another medical check-up to confirm your fitness to study in the Canadian environment.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Get a Scholarship in Canada
Scholarships are highly competitive, and only the best presented will get picked. It’s unfortunate that even the smartest may not get picked. Here marks the importance of noting the scholarship criteria before commencing your application.
It may also be unfortunate to know that applying for a scholarship to study in Canada starts even before the application opens. It could determine your chances of getting the scholarship over a similar candidate.
Preparation is key to getting a scholarship to study in Canada, not chance.
Aside from the application and submission of documents, follow the step-by-step process below to get a scholarship in Canada for yourself:
Step 1: Plan and prepare ahead of time. Most successful candidates are the ones that knew about the scholarship long before the process opened.
Step 2: Research available Canadian scholarships. Make extensive research on the available scholarship, most especially the one that meets your dire needs, and study more on them with resources like the official scholarship site, Internet, YouTube, etc.
Step 3: Know the requirements of the scholarship. Diverse scholarship in Canada has their different criteria, though similar. Be careful to note the differences in the criteria and try to meet them in your application process.
Step 4: Honesty is key. The truth is the truth anywhere. Sponsors want to see consistency in your application, and being truthful in your application will serve, most especially in the essay section. Avoid making yourself seem formidable and all good.
Just present yourself as yourself.
Step 5: The importance of early application cannot be over-emphasized. Candidates the make application early, are given more preference over later candidates.
Step 6: Provide Legitimate Documents. Ensure that the documents provided are legitimate and have signatories or stamps by recognized officials.
Step 7: Get yourself the scholarship. If you’re able to do all we have said prior to step 7, you should be able to get yourself a good scholarship to study in Canada.
Find out how to get a scholarship in Canada for masters.
Additional Information on Getting a Canadian Scholarship
Below are other things we think you should know:
The Importance of Essays in Scholarship Application
Essays are very important in any application, both for the university application and scholarship application. It must be taken seriously since it’s part of the assessment.
You can learn how you can write an essay that will get you the scholarship.
The Importance of Extra-curriculars and Volunteering
These scholarship donors want to see people that can readily give back to society what has been given to them, hence it doesn’t stop at breaking academic grounds.
It stretches towards volunteering for community services and for impacting your lots to society. Before applying, make sure you involve yourself in community services and volunteering activities. They help boost your resume during your application, making you a more worthy candidate.
Some Benefits of Getting a Scholarship in Canada
The benefits that come with a scholarship include the following and may vary with the type of scholarship gotten.
Aside from getting your tuition covered, some scholarships go ahead to cover the following expenses:
- Airfare
- Resettlement Allowance
- Living Allowance
- Medical Insurance
- Research Support
- Completion Grant.
We have come to an end of this guide and believe you now know how to get a scholarship in Canada for yourself. If you have further queries, feel free to use the comment section.
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