Dreaming of studying at the University of Toronto (U of T)? Toronto is consistently among the top universities in Canada and globally, offering excellent academics, research, and cultural life. For international students, finances are often the biggest concern—but U of T does offer a number of scholarship opportunities that can significantly reduce that burden. In this post I’ll walk you through what U of T offers to international students, who qualifies, how to apply, and key takeaways to help you plan well.
About the Scholarships at University of Toronto
The University of Toronto offers a wide range of scholarships for international students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. These come in different forms: automatic admission awards, merit-based scholarships, full or partial awards, departmental awards, external fellowships, and awards that include living expenses or are renewable over multiple years.
Here are some of the major scholarships and awards to be aware of:
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship: This is one of U of T’s most prestigious scholarships for international undergraduates. It covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years. It recognizes outstanding students who are international or studying outside Canada.
- University of Toronto Scholars Program: Admission scholarship awarded automatically to outstanding secondary school students entering U of T. It provides a one-time amount for the first year.
- President’s Scholars of Excellence Program: Awarded to a select number of top applicants (both domestic and international) entering their first year. Includes cash award for the first year and other opportunities (like work-on-campus, possibly international learning).
- International Merit Admission Award: For international students entering certain faculties (Arts & Science etc.), based on academic merit. The value can be significant, often spread over multiple years.
- Engineering International Scholar Award: Specific to the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, for international students entering engineering programs. Renewable for several years depending on performance.
- Graduate Scholarships & Fellowships: U of T also offers competitive scholarships and stipends for graduate students (master’s & doctoral). Some examples are Connaught International Scholarship, Mackenzie King Open Scholarship, departmental awards, etc. These may cover tuition, living stipends, research expenses.
- Other Awards by Department / External Partners: Some scholarships are offered by individual departments, by external donors, or via government or foundation partnerships. These often have their own criteria.
One key point: for many of the undergraduate scholarships, international students are automatically considered when they apply for admission — no separate scholarship application is required (except for specific ones like Lester B. Pearson).
Eligibility
To improve your chances of receiving a University of Toronto scholarship as an international student, it’s important to know the common eligibility criteria. These will vary depending on the scholarship you are applying for, but here are what many of the awards require or expect:
- Academic Excellence
High school (or previous degree) grades matter. Many awards look for top percentiles, often with very strong GPA equivalents (A-, or high A grades) especially for competitive scholarships. - Admission to U of T
You must be admitted to the University of Toronto. For many undergraduate scholarships, your admission application doubles as the scholarship consideration. For graduate awards, you usually need to apply (or be admitted) and in many cases be nominated by your department. - Required Documentation
Proof of your transcripts, possibly standardized test scores, proof of English proficiency, letters of recommendation, possibly essays or statements. For some specific scholarships chemical or departmental grades may matter. - Leadership, Extracurricular or Community Engagement
Some awards favor students who demonstrate leadership roles, community service, or positive impact in their school or community. The Lester B. Pearson scholarship particularly weighs “impact on community and global potential.” - Faculty or Program Specific Requirements
For example, engineering applicants might need to meet specific subject prerequisites. Some scholarships are restricted to certain departments or faculties. - International Status
You must be an international student (i.e. you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident). Some scholarships are specifically for international students or non-Canadians. - Nomination or Separate Application (for Some Awards)
While many scholarships are automatic, some require nomination (by your school or department) or a separate application. The Lester B. Pearson, for example, requires school nomination for high school students. - Renewal Conditions
For those scholarships that are renewable, maintaining a certain academic standard, possibly full-time enrollment, may be required.
How to Apply
Here is the step-by-step process that international applicants should follow when applying for scholarships at the University of Toronto. These steps can help you not miss any required item and maximize chances.
Step 1: Research the Scholarships Available
Start by reviewing U of T’s scholarship offerings targeted at international students, both at the undergraduate and graduate level. Identify which scholarships match your academic profile, field of study, eligibility, and whether you need to be nominated or submit a separate application. Use U of T’s official website and the relevant admissions pages.
Step 2: Submit Your Admission Application to U of T
You must apply for admission first. For undergraduate, this is typically through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) or U of T’s own process. For graduate programs, apply directly to the department.
Step 3: Indicate Scholarship Consideration
Many undergraduate scholarships are automatic upon admission. This means you do not need a separate scholarship application in many cases. But you should ensure your application is complete, with all supporting documents (transcripts, etc.), so the admissions office has what it needs to evaluate you. For scholarships requiring nomination (like Pearson), ensure your school or you follow that nomination procedure.
Step 4: Submit Any Additional Documentation
For scholarships or awards that require more than the admission application, you may need to submit:
- Recommendation letters
- Statement(s) of purpose or essays (especially for leadership or impact-based scholarships)
- Proof of English proficiency (if required)
- Any departmental or program specific requirements
Step 5: Meeting Deadlines
University of Toronto has multiple application deadlines, often depending on faculty, program, and whether you’re applying as early or regular. Scholarship deadlines may coincide with admission deadlines or sometimes be earlier. Make sure to check the relevant deadlines for the scholarship you want.
Step 6: Departmental or Graduate Applications
For graduate students: many scholarships are awarded through departments. Sometimes there is a need to be nominated by the department, or there are internal fellowships that require departmental application. Make contact with your department to ask about available scholarships and application deadlines.
Step 7: Review and Accept Awards
After admission and scholarship decisions are made, review the award you are offered: what costs are covered (tuition, fees, residence, books etc.), whether the award is renewable, whether there are any obligations (maintaining GPA, full-time study). Accept the award formally if required.
For full official details on how to apply for admission and scholarships at U of T, see: https://future.utoronto.ca
Examples of Scholarship Values and Types
To give a clearer picture, here are some sample scholarship awards at U of T, what they provide, and their value ranges:
| Scholarship Name | Level (Undergrad / Graduate) | Value / What It Covers | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship | Undergraduate | Full tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence (housing) for 4 years | Very competitive; requires nomination; covers most costs for international students who excel academically and have leadership potential. |
| University of Toronto Scholars Program | Undergraduate | CAD 7,500 in the first year | Given to many outstanding high-school students; no separate scholarship application required. |
| President’s Scholars of Excellence Program | Undergraduate | CAD 10,000 in first year + possible additional opportunities | Top applicants; program includes work-on-campus, etc. |
| International Merit Admission Award | Undergraduate | Up to approx. CAD 50,000 over 4 years depending on merit | For international students in certain faculties; renewable. |
| Engineering International Scholar Award | Undergraduate | Up to CAD 20,000 or more; renewable in later years | For engineering students; high academic requirement. |
| John Hirschorn Memorial Scholarship | Undergraduate | CAD approx. 15,900-16,300 (for Mechanical Engineering entrants) | Program-specific; renewable. |
| Graduate Scholarships / Fellowships (e.g. Connaught, Mackenzie King, Departmental) | Graduate (Master’s / PhD) | Ranges from CAD ~5,000 to ~10,500 or more; in many cases covering tuition + stipend | Dependent on program, merit, sometimes research requirement. |
Tips for a Strong Application at U of T
Here are practical suggestions to make your scholarship application stronger when applying to the University of Toronto:
- Maintain very strong grades from high school or your previous degree. Competitive GPA is important.
- Highlight leadership, community involvement, global or cross-cultural experiences. Awards like Pearson value this.
- Ensure your admission application is complete and submitted well before deadlines. Missing transcripts or test scores can hurt consideration.
- Request strong recommendation letters from people who can speak to your academic ability and character.
- Prepare well-written essays or personal statements, especially for scholarships that involve “impact on school/community” or global potential.
- Meet any nomination or departmental application requirements, as some scholarships require departmental nomination or separate forms.
- Understand living costs and budget beyond tuition. Even when tuition is covered, living expenses can add up; scholarship awards may or may not cover these fully.
- Check renewable terms: some scholarships are only for first year; others renew if you keep a certain GPA and full-time status.
Challenges and Considerations
While U of T offers many opportunities, there are some realities to keep in mind:
- Competition is very strong: especially for full scholarships like Pearson. Many applicants, few slots.
- Limited number of full scholarships: Many awards are partial (tuition reduction, partial residence support etc.), not fully covering all costs.
- Cost of living in Toronto is high: Scholarships that cover tuition may not fully cover housing, food, travel, incidentals. You may need to budget or plan for extra funds.
- Graduate funding varies considerably: Graduate programs differ greatly in what they offer; some have generous fellowships and assistantships, others less so. Always check with your department.
- Currency fluctuations: If your funds are in another currency or you rely on external funding, fluctuations can impact your real costs.
Key Takeaway
The University of Toronto offers many strong scholarship opportunities for international students, ranging from full-ride undergraduate awards (like the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship) to merit and program-based scholarships, and graduate fellowships. Many undergraduate awards are automatically considered with admission, which is a big plus. If you are an international student aiming for U of T, focus on strong academics, leadership, and preparing a complete application with all documents. Research each scholarship’s requirements early, meet deadlines, and budget beyond tuition costs. With good preparation, you can significantly reduce your costs and make studying at U of T a realistic goal.