If Not Pearson: Other Ways to Fund an Undergraduate Degree in Canada

Because Pearson is so selective, you should never rely on it alone. The good news: most alternatives below can be pursued at the same time, and several of U of T’s own awards need no extra application at all. Every figure here comes from the awarding university’s own page, checked 6 October 2026.

At a glance

U of T says international applicants are “automatically considered for most of our admission awards”, per its international scholarships page. The ones worth knowing:

• Arts & Science Global Scholarship. Offered on admission to selected outstanding international students in the Faculty of Arts & Science. Its value equals international tuition, incidental fees and UHIP for four years. Residence is not included. Financial need may be considered. See the Faculty of Arts & Science awards page.
• President’s Scholars of Excellence Program. About 150 top direct-entry first-year students, domestic and international, receive a non-renewable $15,000 first-year scholarship, per the PSEP page.
• Campus and faculty awards. The Arts & Science International Undergraduate Entrance Award, the University of Toronto International Scholar Award at U of T Mississauga, U of T Scarborough international entrance scholarships, and Engineering International Scholarships (complete the financial section of the Online Student Profile by 15 January).

Since your Pearson application already includes a U of T admission application, you are in the pool for these at no extra cost.

UBC International Scholars Program

The University of British Columbia’s International Scholars Program is the closest Canadian equivalent, but it is need-based. You must show that a UBC degree would be impossible without meaningful financial help, and submit family financial documents. Key points for September 2027:

• Applications opened 5 October 2026; the award application is due 15 November 2026.
• You need a nominator (counsellor, principal) and a different teacher referee. A school may nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver and one for UBC Okanagan.
• You must apply for admission to UBC first, and achieve “all As or equivalent”.
• Documents are due by 31 January; some applicants are invited to a video interview from January to March.
• Awards include the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award and the Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award. If you apply, you are not considered for UBC’s merit-based awards.

York University: President’s International Scholarship of Excellence

York, also in Toronto, lists the President’s International Scholarship of Excellence at $180,000 ($45,000 a year for four years) for international high-school applicants with academic excellence, volunteer and extracurricular commitment, and leadership. For 2027 entry, the student application deadline is 27 January 2027 and the nomination deadline 4 February 2027. It is a good fallback for students who miss the Pearson October deadlines.

Other routes

• Home-country scholarships. U of T advises international applicants to check their own government’s programs, since it cannot give financial aid to international students.
• Later, for graduate study. Canada’s graduate funding is covered in our Canada scholarships guide, and the Mastercard Foundation funds master’s study at several Canadian universities — see the Mastercard Foundation guide.
• Elsewhere. For full graduate funding in the US, see Knight-Hennessy.