What the Pearson Scholarship Covers, in Dollars
Tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years — plus a dedicated program office, mentors and advisers. Here is what that is worth at today’s U of T prices, and what it leaves out.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
3 min read
Updated Oct 6, 2026
U of T’s official description is one sentence: the scholarship covers “tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years”. It is tenable only at U of T, for first-entry undergraduate programs. U of T does not publish a single dollar value per scholar, because costs differ by program and residence. The figures below show the scale.
Tuition
International tuition at U of T is among the highest in Canada. From U of T’s 2026–27 Tuition Explorer (CAD, first-year international):
| Fee (2026–27) | Arts & Science (St. George) | Applied Science & Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Program fee | $66,110.00 | $72,860.00 |
| Incidental & system access | $2,100.29 | $2,266.83 |
| UHIP health insurance | $948.00 | $948.00 |
| Total | $69,158.29 | $76,074.83 |
Sources: Tuition Explorer for Arts & Science and Engineering. For comparison, 2025–26 program fees were $63,570 and $70,060. 2027–28 fees, the ones a September 2027 scholar will pay, are not yet published.
Residence
Pearson gives “full residence support” for four years. U of T’s residence fee comparison shows how widely 2026–27 costs vary on the St. George campus alone:
| Residence (St. George) | 2026–27 fee | Meal plan |
|---|---|---|
| Innis College | $9,000 – $17,500 per academic year | Optional |
| Knox Residence | $18,772 – $20,358 | Included |
| Chestnut Residence | $22,858 – $27,120 | Included |
| CampusOne | $29,089 – $33,965 per 12-month lease | Included |
U of T guarantees first-year residence to new full-time students who complete the Residence Portal application by 31 March and accept their offer by 2 June. U of T does not publish how Pearson residence support works in upper years; the scholarship offer sets the terms.
Books and incidental fees
U of T’s other costs page suggests budgeting $1,000–$2,000 a year for books and supplies. Incidental fees fund student societies, athletics, health and dental plans and campus services, and are covered by Pearson.
What is not on the list
U of T’s Pearson inquiry form is explicit: the scholarship does not cover “visa application fees, travel expenses, relocation expenses, living costs during winter break/summer holidays, nor admission application fees”. U of T also does not say whether the mandatory University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP, $948 in 2026–27) is covered, so ask before you enrol. Budget for:
- travel to Toronto and home;
- a study permit application and biometrics;
- the U of T application fee ($196 for the International Application);
- personal spending: phone, clothing, transport, winter gear;
- living costs over the winter break and summer holidays.
This guide reports only what U of T publishes. The exact terms — renewal conditions, required course load, what “full residence support” includes — are set out in the scholarship offer. Read it carefully before you accept.
More than money: the Pearson Program Office
Selection →The Pearson Program Office, part of U of T’s Centre for International Experience, supports scholars throughout their degree. Its published programs include:
Each September: a Pearson orientation, team-building activity and welcome reception with senior leadership.
An adviser on your campus for four years, with one-on-one check-ins every semester.
An upper-year Pearson mentor in first year; a U of T faculty mentor from second year.
Sessions on leadership, careers, alumni networking, graduate school and entrepreneurship; a scholar-run social committee; an optional Professional Development Plan.