U of T • Funding • International & Domestic
Start with the fully funded and high-value awards (Pearson, International Scholar, Engineering International Scholarships), then add divisional awards and graduate top-ups (Connaught, OGS International). Below is what each covers, who qualifies, and how to apply with a strong, scan-friendly file.
Top Undergraduate Awards (International & Domestic)
1) Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship — Full ride (International, UG)
Covers: tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years. How: your school nominates you; then you apply to U of T and submit the Pearson application by route-specific deadlines.
Perfect fit if you’re an exceptional international student with leadership, creativity, and strong academics entering a first-entry undergraduate program.
2) U of T International Scholar Award — High-value merit (International, UG)
Rotman Commerce example: up to $100,000 over 4 years (e.g., $40k + $20k + $20k + $20k). Divisions vary: amounts and terms differ by campus/faculty (e.g., UTSC/UTM publish their own figures). Automatic consideration on admission.
3) U of T Engineering International Scholarships — Tuition-level awards (International, UG)
Selected international admits to Engineering may receive awards equal to the cost of international tuition (plus incidental & UHIP) for up to four years (residence not included). Automatic consideration.
4) University of Toronto Scholars Program — Merit (UG)
Approximately 900 awards of $10,000 each, given in first year; automatic consideration upon admission.
5) President’s Scholars of Excellence Program (PSEP) — Prestige + entrance award (UG)
Distinction for ~top incoming students; automatic consideration. Program features and the entrance-award amount can vary by admitting division; details arrive with your offer. (Some divisions publicly list a one-time entrance scholarship.)
6) National Scholarship Program — Flagship for Canadian students (UG)
For exceptional Canadian students (incl. permanent residents). Covers tuition, incidental and residence fees for up to four years; school nomination via National Book Award process.
Quick Comparison (At a Glance)
| Award | Who | Coverage snapshot | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lester B. Pearson (UG) | International | Tuition + books + incidental + residence (4 yrs) | School nomination → U of T app → Pearson app |
| U of T International Scholar Award (UG) | International | High-value merit; divisional amounts (e.g., up to $100k/4yrs in Rotman) | Auto consideration on admission |
| Engineering International Scholarships (UG) | International | May match international tuition + incidental + UHIP (up to 4 yrs) | Auto consideration (Engineering admits) |
| U of T Scholars Program (UG) | Domestic & International | $10,000 (first year) | Auto consideration |
| PSEP (UG) | Domestic & International | Prestige + entrance award; features vary by division | Auto consideration |
| National Scholarship (UG) | Canadian citizens/PRs | Tuition + incidental + residence (up to 4 yrs) | School nomination; competitive process |
Graduate & Doctoral Funding (International & Domestic)
Connaught International Scholarship (Doctoral, International)
What: a $10,000 top-up per year (renewable; duration varies by unit) added to the program’s normal funding package. How: nomination by your graduate unit during admission.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship — OGS (International stream)
Value: $5,000 per session for two or three sessions. Who: Master’s/Doctoral students with a valid study permit by the unit’s OGS deadline.
Base/Minimum Funding & Data (Doctoral)
Doctoral “base funding” is set by faculties/graduate units; amounts vary by program. The Faculty of Arts & Science has announced a minimum of $40,000 starting Fall 2025 (net of tuition differs). Explore SGS’ PhD funding dashboard for averages by program.
Important: Graduate funding is decentralized at U of T—always confirm figures and terms on your program’s official page and offer letter.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Pick your route. International UG aiming high? Start with Pearson. Otherwise, rely on automatic awards (International Scholar, PSEP, Scholars Program) and your division’s page.
- Mind the timeline. For Pearson you’ll need a school nomination plus U of T application and the Pearson application; other admission awards are auto-considered.
- Build evidence. Replace duties with outcomes (users, hours, citations, revenue, accuracy). Add links (poster, repo, policy brief, demo).
- Division matters. Rotman/Engineering/UTSC/UTM publish their own award terms and amounts; check your division’s scholarship page.
- Graduate applicants. Ask your unit about Connaught nominations, OGS timing, and the exact base-funding offer in your letter.
Documents Checklist
- Transcript(s) + grading scale
- CV (max 2 pages) with metrics
- School nomination (Pearson)
- English proficiency (if required)
- CV + publications/portfolio links
- Statement (research/purpose) with fit
- References (contact early)
- Valid study permit (for OGS International)
FAQs (Short & Straight)
Is Pearson the only “fully funded” U of T undergrad award?
It’s the flagship full-ride for international first-entry undergrads. High-value alternatives include the International Scholar Award and Engineering International Scholarships (division-specific). Check your division pages for exact terms.
Do I need a separate application for PSEP or the Scholars Program?
No—admission-based, automatically considered. Pearson and National Scholarship have separate nomination/application steps.
Can international grad students get OGS?
Yes—U of T has a set number of OGS awards for international students, but you must hold a valid study permit by the unit’s OGS deadline.
Final word: Aim for Pearson if eligible; otherwise lean on admission-automatic awards and your division’s scholarship page. For grad, secure a clear base-funding offer and chase Connaught/OGS. Submit early, show outcomes, and align your plan with U of T resources.
• Educational guidance; always verify award values, eligibility, and deadlines on official U of T pages and your division’s site.