Scholarships in Canada for Filipinos

For many Filipinos, pursuing the dream to study in Canada has always been a heartfelt aspiration, a chance to secure a brighter future for themselves and their families. However, one challenge faced by international students is the lack of awareness on the available scholarships in Canada that can help lessen their tuition fees.

There's a common misconception that scholarships abroad are hard to apply for, but in fact there’s a wide range of scholarships in Canada for Filipino international students -- they come from various sources, with different eligibility requirements for every scholarship, with each covering different costs across undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs.

At IDP, we understand that access to scholarships can be a game-changer for Filipino students. With more than 120 partner schools in Canada, we guide students and their families throughout the journey by giving expert advice on the best schools and having a website feature showcasing a rich database of scholarship programs available.

What are the criteria for applying to scholarships?

The eligibility criteria for scholarships to study in Canada vary depending on the type of scholarship you are applying for, as well as your program and study level. But generally, the criteria often include a good academic score and financial need.

In some scholarships, factors like extracurricular activities, leadership potential, community involvement, and proficiency in English language can also be used to advantage.

What are the types of scholarships available?

There’s a lot of scholarships abroad for Filipinos, and with the help of your IDP Education Counselor, you can definitely find the right scholarship for your studies in Canada.

In general, scholarships in Canada can be categorized into the following:

1. Merit-based Scholarships 

Merit scholarships are awarded to students with excellent skills and/or academic credentials, with granted amounts varying depending on the school. These are often given to students who went above and beyond in terms of academics during their high school or university years.

Students are usually asked to submit an essay or attend an interview as part of the scholarship application. Moreover, an important thing to keep in mind is that sometimes in addition to grades, some universities may also take a student’s extracurricular activities into consideration.  Besides this, students who do manage to obtain a merit-based scholarship are sometimes required to maintain excellent grades all throughout their stay at the university.

2. Government Funded Scholarships 

Government-funded scholarships are grants provided by the government to help students achieve their dreams. They do so by subsidizing a portion of their expenses.

Some popular government-funded scholarships available for Filipino international students include regional scholarships like the Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program, the Ontario Trillium Scholarship, the Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship, and the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development. In addition, Canada also offers global scholarships such as the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.

3. School-specific Scholarships

Entrance scholarships are the most common university-specific scholarships that are granted to incoming students. These scholarships are designed to attract students who are just beginning their studies at a particular institution. Many Canadian universities and colleges also have their own list of scholarships for students, such as president’s scholarships and chancellor’s scholarships.

Other school-specific scholarships often come from private donations funded by some alumni of the university. Sometimes, these are used to sponsor some students, encouraging, or supporting them to study in a specific field.  Don’t worry if you get stuck anywhere, our Education Counselors will be more than happy to guide you through.

4. Program-specific Scholarships

As the name suggests, program-specific scholarships are scholarships tailored to support students pursuing a particular field of study or academic program. Program-specific scholarships are sometimes offered along with the university admission without the student needing to apply for it.

Unlike general scholarships, program-specific scholarships consider the student's choice of major, degree program, or academic interests. These scholarships can vary widely in terms of eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application processes, but they ultimately serve to support and incentivize students in their international education and careers within specific academic disciplines or professions.

5. Student-specific Scholarships

Adding to the variety of scholarships offered by universities in Canada for international students are athletic or sports-based scholarships. Student athletes often receive full-ride or partial scholarships. Full-ride scholarships cover all tuition expenses throughout a student's entire academic program, whereas partial scholarships offer tuition fee discounts. Some universities may not reduce tuition costs but instead provide athletes access to top-notch gym facilities, sports equipment, and specialized support services.

There are also scholarships that focus on alleviating the financial burdens of marginalized communities such as women, people with disabilities, and other minorities. For instance, there are scholarships offered to women to study in programs that are traditionally male-dominated such as science, engineering, or IT. Another case in point is students struggling with disabilities. Some universities and private organizations may assist you with obtaining tuition fee discounts as they believe that having a disability should never hinder you from furthering your education.

6. Other Scholarships and Bursaries

International students in Canada can also receive bursaries - these are a form of financial assistance designed to help students cover various expenses associated with their education, such as tuition fees, books, accommodation, or other educational costs. Bursaries are typically awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, or other specific criteria set by the institution or organization offering the bursary.

There are also exclusive scholarship offerings between partner schools and organizations like IDP. If you submit your school application through IDP for the September 2024 intake, you’ll get a chance to receive an additional 1000 CAD scholarship grant. This scholarship is only available to students who will study their bachelor’s degree or 2-year diploma program in select Canadian schools. Be sure to consult with an IDP Education Counselor to learn more.

Will my scholarship be enough to cover my expenses?

Scholarships and tuition discounts are undoubtedly valuable sources of financial assistance when pursuing your study abroad plans, but it's essential to understand that they may not cover all the expenses associated with studying abroad.

Scholarships often focus on covering your tuition fees, which can be a significant expense. While full scholarships may cover the entire tuition, partial scholarships may only provide a percentage of the tuition cost. Therefore, you might still need to pay a portion of your tuition fees out of pocket.
 
In addition, you will also need to prepare for other expenses such as the cost of living, visa and travel costs, and personal expenses which will greatly vary especially if you are going to study in Canada with dependents. You can try

Study in Canada with IDP

Planning and preparing for your study in Canada journey are very important steps that every international student should take. That's why, IDP is here to assist you in fulfilling your dream! We provide free services to support Filipino international students every step of the way, from personalized guidance in choosing the best school and program in Canada for you up to pre-departure on-shore support.

You can also count on our expert Education Counselors in helping you inquire with Canadian schools on the scholarship application process and requirements.

So, book a free one-on-one consultation with us, and get started on your study in Canada journey today!