Frequently Asked Questions

What GPA Do You Need for Scholarships in Canada?

This is the most common question we get, and the honest answer is: it depends entirely on the scholarship. There's no single GPA threshold that opens or closes the door to all funding in Canada.

Academic merit scholarships

The big entrance awards at Canadian universities typically require an admission average of 80% or higher, with the largest awards (President's Scholarships, Chancellor's Awards) requiring 90-95%+. Here's a rough guide:

• 95%+ average: Eligible for the most competitive entrance awards ($5,000-$30,000+)
• 90-94% average: Eligible for strong entrance scholarships ($2,000-$10,000)
• 80-89% average: Eligible for many automatic entrance awards ($500-$4,000)
• Below 80%: Fewer automatic merit awards, but many other scholarships don't consider GPA at all

Scholarships that don't focus on grades

A significant portion of Canadian scholarships are based on factors other than academic achievement:

• Need-based bursaries — your financial situation matters more than your GPA
• Community leadership awards — some don't even ask for your transcript
• Identity-based scholarships — for Indigenous students, students with disabilities, first-generation students, etc.
• Creative and athletic awards — your portfolio or sport performance is what counts
• Employer and union scholarships — often based on a parent's or your own employment

The bottom line: Don't let a less-than-perfect GPA stop you from applying. Many of our matched scholarships have no minimum GPA requirement at all. The students who win the most funding aren't always the ones with the highest grades — they're the ones who apply the most strategically.

Are There Scholarships for International Students in Canada?

Yes — but the landscape is different from what domestic students face. International students in Canada generally aren't eligible for government student aid (OSAP, StudentAid BC, etc.), so scholarships and university awards are even more important.

University entrance scholarships for international students

Most major Canadian universities offer entrance scholarships specifically for international students. These are competitive and usually require strong academic records:

• University of Toronto: Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (full tuition + residence + books for 4 years)
• UBC: International Major Entrance Scholarship ($20,000-$40,000+)
• McGill: Entrance scholarships for international students starting at $3,000
• Waterloo: International Student Entrance Scholarships ($2,000-$10,000)
• Most universities have additional faculty-specific international awards

Government-funded international scholarships

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: $50,000/year for 3 years for doctoral students (open to international students)
• Trudeau Foundation Scholarships: For doctoral students in social sciences and humanities
• Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED): For students from ASEAN member states
• Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP): Short-term exchanges for students from Latin America and the Caribbean

Private and foundation scholarships

Some private scholarships are open to international students studying in Canada: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (for students from Sub-Saharan Africa), the Aga Khan Foundation scholarships (for students from developing countries), and various corporate awards. Check each scholarship's eligibility criteria carefully — "Canadian student" and "student studying in Canada" are different requirements.

How to Get Strong Reference Letters for Scholarship Applications

A great reference letter can make the difference between a shortlist and a rejection. Here's how to get references that actually help you:

Who to ask

• Teachers who know you well — not necessarily the one who gave you the highest grade, but the one who can speak to your character, work ethic, and growth
• Guidance counsellors — they have context about your overall high school experience and can speak to your trajectory
• Employers or supervisors — especially for awards that value leadership or work experience
• Community leaders — coaches, volunteer coordinators, religious leaders, or mentors who've seen you in action

How to ask (and what to provide)

1. Ask in person first: "Would you be comfortable writing me a strong reference letter for [scholarship name]?" The word "strong" matters — it gives them an easy out if they can't write a genuinely positive letter.
2. Give them 4-6 weeks notice (minimum 3). Teachers are writing references for many students.
3. Provide a "reference package": Your resume, the scholarship description, any specific prompts the referee needs to address, and 2-3 bullet points of things you'd like them to highlight.
4. Send a reminder one week before the deadline — politely.
5. Follow up with a thank-you note regardless of the outcome.

Common mistakes

• Asking someone you barely know (a famous professor you took one course with won't write a compelling letter)
• Asking family members (most scholarships explicitly prohibit this)
• Not providing enough context about the scholarship
• Asking at the last minute — a rushed letter is obvious to committees

Are There Scholarships with No Essay in Canada?

Yes, and they fall into a few categories. If you hate writing essays (or just don't have time for another one), these are worth targeting:

Automatic entrance scholarships

The most common "no-essay" scholarships in Canada are automatic university entrance awards. You don't apply for these — your university automatically considers you based on your admission average. Examples:

• Waterloo: President's Scholarship of Distinction ($2,000) at 95%+
• Western: Scholarship of Distinction ($3,000) at 90%+
• Carleton: Automatic entrance awards starting at 80%+
• Most Ontario, Alberta, and BC universities offer some form of automatic entrance award

Short-form and profile-based scholarships

Some scholarships require only a short application form (no essay). These typically ask for basic information about your background, activities, and financial situation. They're often smaller amounts ($500-$2,000) but the application effort is minimal.

Provincial government grants

Government student grants (like the Canada Student Grant and provincial grants through OSAP, StudentAid BC, etc.) don't require essays. You apply through your provincial student aid portal and are assessed based on financial need. These can be worth $3,000-$6,000+ per year — far more than many essay-based scholarships.

Automatic Entrance Scholarships in Canada

Automatic entrance scholarships are awards that universities grant based solely on your admission average — no separate application, no essay, no interview. You just need to meet the grade threshold. These are some of the easiest scholarships to "win" in Canada.

How they work

When you apply to a Canadian university through the relevant admissions portal (OUAC for Ontario, ApplyAlberta, EducationPlannerBC, etc.), the university automatically evaluates your admission average against their scholarship grid. If you meet the threshold, the award is applied to your tuition account — you don't need to do anything else.

Sample automatic entrance scholarship grids

Are automatic scholarships renewable?

Most automatic entrance scholarships are one-time awards (applied to your first year only). However, many universities offer in-course scholarships for students who maintain a high GPA — these are also often automatic. Check your university's website for the specific renewal conditions.

Important: Even if you qualify for an automatic entrance scholarship, you should still apply for competitive awards at the same university. Automatic awards and competitive awards often stack — meaning you can receive both.