Financial Aid for International Students at Canadian Universities
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines money that is given or lent to students to help pay for their education. This broad definition covers bursaries, scholarships, work-study programs, and loans. So, what kind of financial aid is available to international students who want to study in Canada?
If you ask a Canadian this question, they will be quick to reply that few universities and colleges give financial aid to international students because a Canadian has a narrower definition of what financial aid is. The term financial aid is closely aligned with loans. Putting aside the narrower Canadian definition of financial aid, let’s explore the broader term and look at the four categories of bursaries, scholarships, work-study programs, and loans.
Bursaries for International Students
The University of Alberta offers the International Supplementary Bursary for students who have financial need. These bursaries, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. To be eligible for bursary funding, you must be able to demonstrate financial need for the current academic year after exhausting all available funding resources and meeting the academic and enrollment requirements. The University of Manitoba has created the UM Emergency Bursary Fund for students who are in financial need due to extenuating circumstances due to war, disaster, etc. The University of Windsor International Student Support Bursary is another example of an emergency bursary for international students who have a financial constraint and need financial hardship assistance. These are just a few universities that offer financial aid through emergency bursaries so make sure to explore this kind of aid for international students at the university our college you are interested in.
Scholarships for International Students
Every Canadian university and some Canadian colleges offer international student scholarships, either in the way of merit or application based scholarships. For merit scholarships, generally you are automatically considered for these scholarships based on your admission average. The only application you need to make is your admission application and if you are given an admission offer and have an admission average of 85% or better, then you are put into the pool for international student scholarship consideration. For the more prestigious scholarships with a large dollar value, an application is necessary as you will need to meet academic eligibility as well as a strong extracurricular activity profile and demonstrated leadership skills.
Some of the best scholarship opportunities for international students can be found at these universities. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list and for information on these universities and others at Go 2 Canada Education Services’ partner institutions, make sure to contact Go 2 Canada for more information.
The University of Alberta offers both entrance scholarships and in-course scholarships.
Western University has some excellent entrance scholarships and also has in-course scholarships for subsequent years.
UNB (University of New Brunswick) has a $40,000 entrance scholarship but also provides financial aid in the way of scholarships to students throughout their degree program.
Wilfrid Laurier University is continually increasing their international student scholarship listing.
Trent University offers scholarships up to $136,000 CAD and also has other entrance and in-course scholarships.
University of Waterloo boasts of 170 scholarships just for international students.
Work-Study Programs for International Students
Paid Co-op Work Experience Programs and Internships are probably the most notable way for international students to engage in work to cover some of their financial needs while studying at a Canadian university or college. But some universities also offer financial aid in the way of work-study programs for international students who experience financial needs. We will explore all three of these programs.
Co-op Work Experience programs are part of a degree program. These can be found at almost all universities and are open to both national and international students. They are a great way to get the practical application of the theory learned in class and get paid for it at the same time. This degree-related work experience also helps students get quality employment when they graduate. Some of the best Co-op Work Experience programs are found at the University of Waterloo, the University of Alberta, the University of Windsor and the University of Manitoba. And colleges also offer excellent Co-op Work Experience opportunities as well, just take a look at what NAIT has to offer their international students.
Work experience programs are usually found in business and engineering and sometimes the sciences and arts too.
International students can also participate in paid internships which take place in the last one or two years of their degree. For an example of internships see the University of Alberta’s Science Internship Program.
Work-Study Programs are specifically designed for students who demonstrate financial need. Western University’s work-study program provides financial assistance through part-time on-campus work opportunities. International students who require financial aid will want to look at the University of Windsor’s Ignite program and the University of Alberta’s International Student Summer Employment Program. Other examples, though not an exhaustive list are:
Loans for International Students
Loans should be a student’s last resort as they do have to be paid back, with interest. But MPower Financing is the best lending institution that offers loans to international students studying in both Canada and the US. MPower Financing is a trusted name when it comes to financing education for international students. Offering loans without collateral or cosigner requirements, MPower Financing aims to support students in achieving their academic and career goals in Canada and beyond. With a seamless online application process and competitive interest rates, MPower Financing is a reliable option for students looking to fund their education abroad.
As the article demonstrates, international students in Canada have access to various financial aid options to help support their education. Universities and colleges across the country offer scholarships, bursaries, and work options specifically designed for international students. It is advisable for international students to thoroughly research and apply for these funding opportunities to alleviate the financial burden of studying in Canada. And Go 2 Canada Education Services is worth contacting as they have already done their research and have financial aid information at their fingertips.
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