Top 10 Universities in Canada Offering Scholarships + Stipends (With Insurance)
Please make sure to read to the End ( Number 10) , so you can see all the schools and their monthly allowance before making your choice
Canada is globally renowned for its world-class education system. What makes it even more appealing is that many of its top universities offer scholarships that cover tuition and also provide monthly stipends—helping students manage both academic and living costs.
In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 universities in Canada that offer generous scholarships plus stipends, along with a short background and founding year for each school.
1. University of Toronto
📍 Location: Toronto, Ontario
📅 Founded: 1827
🌐 Website: future.utoronto.ca/pearson
🎓 About the School:
The University of Toronto is Canada’s largest and one of its most prestigious universities, known for innovation and research. It consistently ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide.
💰 Scholarship: Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
Covers:
- Full tuition
- Books and incidental fees
- Monthly living stipend
Eligibility: Exceptional international students with leadership potential and academic excellence.
2. University of British Columbia (UBC)
📍 Location: Vancouver and Okanagan, British Columbia
📅 Founded: 1908
🌐 Website: you.ubc.ca
🎓 About the School:
UBC is a global leader in education and research with two stunning campuses. It is particularly known for sustainability, engineering, medicine, and business programs.
💰 Scholarships: IMES and OIS Awards
Covers:
- Partial to full tuition
- Annual living allowance (for selected students)
Eligibility: High-achieving international undergraduate students.
3. McGill University
📍 Location: Montreal, Quebec
📅 Founded: 1821
🌐 Website: mccallmacbainscholars.org
🎓 About the School:
McGill is one of the oldest and most globally recognized universities in Canada. It attracts students from over 150 countries and has strong programs in medicine, law, and business.
💰 Scholarship: McCall MacBain Scholarship
Covers:
- Full tuition and fees
- Relocation support
- $2,000 monthly stipend
Eligibility: Graduate students with leadership experience and strong academics.
4. University of Alberta
📍 Location: Edmonton, Alberta
📅 Founded: 1908
🌐 Website: ualberta.ca
🎓 About the School:
UAlberta is known for its excellence in energy research, engineering, and agricultural sciences. It’s one of Canada’s top five research-intensive universities.
💰 Scholarships: Vanier CGS, Entrance Scholarships
Covers:
- Tuition
- Stipends up to $50,000 annually
- Research and travel support
Eligibility: Graduate students with outstanding research or academic potential.
5. University of Waterloo
📍 Location: Waterloo, Ontario
📅 Founded: 1957
🌐 Website: uwaterloo.ca
🎓 About the School:
Waterloo is known worldwide for its co-op education programs and tech innovation. It’s a hub for engineering, computer science, and entrepreneurship.
💰 Scholarships: Trudeau Scholarships, IMDS Awards
Covers:
- Tuition
- $20,000+ in stipends
- Conference and research travel grants
Eligibility: Graduate students in research-based programs.
6. Simon Fraser University (SFU)
📍 Location: Burnaby, British Columbia
📅 Founded: 1965
🌐 Website: sfu.ca
🎓 About the School:
SFU has built a strong reputation in research and innovation. The school has a progressive, inclusive approach to education and offers top programs in arts, technology, and sciences.
💰 Scholarships: Entrance Scholarships & Graduate Awards
Covers:
- Tuition
- Stipends up to $34,000 per year
Eligibility: Domestic and international students in undergraduate and graduate programs.
7. Queen’s University
📍 Location: Kingston, Ontario
📅 Founded: 1841
🌐 Website: queensu.ca
🎓 About the School:
Queen’s is a historic university with a vibrant student life and a strong alumni network. It offers leading programs in public policy, business, and health sciences.
💰 Scholarships: Vanier, Tri-Council, Internal Queen’s Awards
Covers:
- Tuition assistance
- Up to $35,000 in annual stipends
Eligibility: Strong academic and leadership background; mostly for graduate-level applicants.
8. University of Ottawa
📍 Location: Ottawa, Ontario
📅 Founded: 1848
🌐 Website: uottawa.ca
🎓 About the School:
As the largest bilingual (English-French) university in the world, uOttawa is situated in Canada’s capital. It’s strong in law, public affairs, and health sciences.
💰 Scholarships: Excellence Awards, Differential Tuition Exemption
Covers:
- Partial/full tuition
- $7,500 – $25,000 in stipends
Eligibility: Both undergraduate and graduate students with excellent academic records.
9. Western University
📍 Location: London, Ontario
📅 Founded: 1878
🌐 Website: uwo.ca
🎓 About the School:
Western is one of Canada’s top research universities, known for its programs in business (Ivey School), law, health, and social sciences.
💰 Scholarships: WGRS, OGS, and Vanier CGS
Covers:
- Tuition support
- Stipends up to $18,000/year
- Research and assistantship roles
Eligibility: Graduate students enrolled in full-time research-based programs.
10. Dalhousie University
📍 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
📅 Founded: 1818
🌐 Website: dal.ca
🎓 About the School:
Dalhousie is one of Canada’s oldest universities with a reputation for medical, marine, and legal research. Located near the Atlantic Ocean, it offers a peaceful and academically rich environment.
💰 Scholarships: Killam Scholarships, Vanier CGS
Covers:
- Full tuition
- $15,000 to $30,000 in annual stipends
Eligibility: High-achieving graduate students with a research focus.
General Eligibility Criteria for Scholarships + Stipends
- Strong academic background (minimum GPA requirements)
- Leadership qualities and community involvement
- Proof of English or French proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Admission into a full-time degree program
- Research proposal or study plan (for graduate programs)
Tips for Securing a Scholarship in Canada
- Start early: Scholarship deadlines are often 8–12 months before intake.
- Customize your application: Tailor your SOP and CV to match the award’s goals.
- Apply for multiple programs: Cast a wide net to increase your chances.
- Connect with professors: Especially for research-based programs.
- Maintain strong references: Academic or professional recommendations are key.