Money, Money, Money! Learn About Funding Opportunities in Canada

Colleges across the country have financial aid options for international students!

Looking for ways to fund your dream of studying in Canada? We've got good news!

But first, let's start with the basics.

International students in Canada usually self-fund their education (with savings or with assistance from family), and supplement this investment in their education by working part-time (20 hours/week) during the academic semester and full-time during their scheduled breaks. Note that working regulations for international students are determined by the IRCC and are subject to change. Get more information on working in Canada while studying here..

In addition to this, some international students may also be eligible for additional funding in the form of scholarships, bursaries and awards.

Funding criteria

Scholarships, bursaries and awards are issued by the post-secondary institution, by community organizations, by corporations, by the Government or by private individuals.

While most of the Government funding is reserved for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents, there is a whole range of funding available to international students based on academic excellence, program choice, volunteering experience, student leadership, research area, financial need and much more!

When to apply

It is a good idea to go through all the funding options available to you as soon as you are admitted to the institution of your choice. This is because some institutions like SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology), offer Entrance Awards for new students starting their program and you will not be eligible for this award once you are in your second semester onwards! So, it's good to look ahead!

Additionally, familiarizing yourself with the eligibility criteria of awards available to you will help you work towards the criteria, whether it is a higher GPA, participation in clubs on campus or volunteering!

How to apply

Most post-secondary institutions have a simplified application process, that can be accessed via their website. Applications change as per the size or type of scholarship, with students being automatically eligible for some as soon as they register for courses to requirements like writing an essay or providing a CV.

Awards at SAIT

SAIT is proud to offer over $5 million in awards to students in almost every program. Awards are available to all qualifying SAIT students in recognition of academic success, financial need, community involvement and other areas of success and support. Click for more information on how to apply for funding at SAIT. Get more information on how to apply to study at SAIT!