Government scholarships

Dreaming of grabbing an international exposure through abroad studies? Well, abroad studies can be your easiest means to be in a western country to indulge in a multicultural experience like no other. Abroad studies can be a life-changing experience for students as it exposes them to a new culture, language and way of life.

Despite Canada being one of the most reasonably-priced countries for abroad studies to pursue education, covering all costs can still be challenging. Scholarships are a big relief to foreign students who might have second thoughts about the economic impact of their abroad studies on their pockets. Speaking of which, are you searching for scholarships that are available to Indian students studying in Canada? If the answer to the question is a resounding yes, you couldn’t be at a better place!

The happy news is that there are numerous scholarships for Indian students in Canada for doing abroad studies. However, before submitting your application, it is important to review the eligibility criteria to ensure that you qualify. As with every scholarship program across the world for abroad studies, having an excellent academic track record is a major factor in determining eligibility for scholarships. Scholarships for Indian students are practically abundant in number, and these aids can be availed by students who would like to enroll in government and non-governmental institutions. This blog elucidates a comprehensive list of abroad studies scholarships for Indian students in Canada, regardless of the program they intend to pursue. Scholarships for Indian students can be found for a wide range of fields of study and academic levels.

The Ontario Trillium Scholarships (OTS)

Scholarships for Indian students can be a great help in reducing the financial burden of higher education. The Ontario Trillium Scholarships (OTS) program is a provincially-funded initiative to attract the best-qualified international students to Ontario for doctoral research studies. Abroad studies being a popular option among international students, this scholarship is a lucrative one. On an average, as many as fifteen Trillium Scholarships for doctoral research students are awarded annually at the University of Toronto. The icing on top is that if the term of your PhD course is more than one year, the scholarship can be renewed, thereby making your abroad studies experience even sweeter. 

In order to be eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must be an international student. Additionally, the applicant must be proficient in the English language at the time of application. It’s worth noting that the applicant must not be a current student of any Ontario postsecondary institution at the undergraduate or graduate level. Having secured an A-average (Ontario equivalent of 80%) in both the years of full-time study is also a requirement to be a recipient of the scholarship. 

It’s important to stay up to date with the deadline for applying for the scholarship as it might vary from university to university and program to program. Nominations for suitable candidates happen in the winter session to get admitted in the following fall, spring or winter terms. Each eligible institution has their own procedures for the Ontario Trillium Scholarship programme. Scholarships like the OTS can make your abroad studies dreams come true.

Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship

The Quebec Provincial Scholarship program is offered to international students at the university level, in technical training at the college level and in vocational training. Encouraging and attracting the bright global students into programs with good job and research prospects is the core of this scholarship. The Merit Scholarship program allows recipients to benefit from a scholarship, an exemption from the differential tuition fees paid by international students and a health insurance and hospitalization coverage provided by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

For doctoral research programs, the scholarship amount is $25 000 per year. The maximum duration for this scholarship is three years, with a possible extension of up to 12 months. In the case of an extension, a monthly allowance of $1 000 is provided. 

For post-doctoral fellows, the scholarship is $35 000 for one year and is non-renewable. Scholarships like this for Indian students can enable them to pursue higher education opportunities in India or abroad.

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) program was established with a goal to promote excellence in graduate studies at publicly-funded universities in Ontario. Since 1975, this program has been awarding scholarships based on merit to outstanding graduate students across all fields of academic study in Ontario. The Province has an allocation system using which a certain number of OGS awards are given each year. The scholarship has a value of $5,000 per session, which means that students can receive $10,000 for two consecutive sessions or $15,000 for three consecutive sessions. 

It’s also important to know that the graduate unit responsible for awarding the scholarship contributes one-third of the total award amount. The validity of the scholarship is one year which can have two consecutive or three academic sessions. The exact value and duration of each OGS award are at the discretion of the graduate unit responsible for awarding the scholarship.

In order to be a receiver of this scholarship, applicants must have the following eligibility: 

Be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) by the student deadline as determined by each graduate unit;  International students who are studying or plan to study abroad at the University of Toronto under a temporary resident visa (student study permit) are eligible for a set number of OGS awards (valid study permits must be effective as of the graduate units’ OGS international application deadline);

To avail the scholarship, applicants must submit an OGS application to their proposed graduate unit following the guidelines issued. The application requirements include the OGS application form, transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (unofficial and student-issued transcripts are permitted; e.g., ACORN screenshots), any previous awards/publications/conference/research experience, plan of study (Maximum 2 pages: 1 page for Plan of Study, 1 page for references/citations) and two academic references.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program offers financial assistance to a creamy-layer of postdoctoral applicants, both nationally and internationally. The major aim of the scholarship is to help candidates who will positively contribute to Canada’s economic, social, and research-based growth.

The objective of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program also include:

  • attract and retain top-tier postdoctoral talent, both nationally and internationally
  • develop their leadership potential
  • position them for success as research leaders of tomorrow

Applicants should meet all degree requirements for a Ph.D., PhD-equivalent program. An applicant to the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program must complete their application in full collaboration with the proposed host institution. Please note that applicants can submit only one application per competition year to the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program. It’s high time that we make use of assistance like this as scholarships for Indian students can make education accessible and help to break down barriers to education.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

This scholarship program is named after Major-General Georges P. Vanier, the first francophone Governor General of Canada. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) program helps educational institutions in Canada attract world-class talented doctoral students. The scholarship is valued at $50,000 per year for three years during doctoral studies. The selection of candidates for this scholarship is primarily based on their academic excellence, research potential and leadership abilities.

The candidate must be registered as a full-time student at the nominating Canadian institution and be pursuing a doctoral program (or joint graduate research program MA/Ph.D., MSc/Ph.D., or MD/Ph.D.). Applicants must have achieved a first-class average, as determined by the institution, in each of the last two years of full-time study or equivalent.

Equally importantly, candidates must be nominated by a Canadian institution with a quota to host Vanier scholars. Keep in mind that candidates should only seek a nomination from the institution at which they want to study.

Dick Martin Scholarship Award

In memory of Dick Martin, a visionary person who voiced for health and safety in the workplace and helped establish workplace health and safety in Canada, the CCOHS Council of Governors founded this scholarship in 2002. 

This national scholarship worth $3,000 is granted annually to students enrolled in occupational health and safety-related courses or programs leading to a certificate, diploma, or degree at an accredited Canadian college or university, whether on a full-time or part-time basis. 

The eligible programs are mine safety, occupational or industrial health and safety, industrial hygiene, safety management, and other safety-related degree programs.

To apply for the award, post-secondary students need to submit a cover letter, a 1,000-1,200 word essay, and a completed online application form. All submissions must include a completed online application form, cover letter and essay (applicants will be evaluated based on the submission and completion of all three documents). A Selection Committee will score the applications based on a set of criteria and notify the candidates who are eligible for the scholarship. 

To wrap up, it’s a known fact that many students opt for abroad studies to gain a competitive edge in their career by acquiring global exposure and skills. However, we know that pursuing abroad studies requires meticulous planning and research to select the right country, university, and course. The happy news is that besides several government funded scholarships, there are numerous other financial aid available to foreign students in Canada. Some scholarships for Indian students also provide opportunities for internships or research work. In fact, the sheer availability of economic assistance is what makes Canadian education that much more alluring. As a matter of fact, the number of scholarships for Indian students has significantly increased over the years. Aided by innovative teaching practices and industry leading educational standards, Canada has been cementing its position as the numero uno country in the world educational landscape. Hope you found this article useful as it walked you through various scholarships that you may avail. 

Lionsher, being a pioneer in lending an extra hand to students in every step of the application process right from securing your seat to getting you landed in your Canadian home, is committed to serve our students from every possible angle. Although funding and scholarships are available for abroad studies, it’s important to be aware of the costs and budget accordingly. This is where Lionsher can step in helping you have a wider understanding about your abroad studies pipeline. Education being a universal right, we envisage a world where foreign education is no longer treated as a luxury good.

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