Canadian Scholarships for Nigerian Students is the solution if you are:
- A Nigerian,
- Looking to study in a tier-one country that has some of the best universities in the world,
- You cannot afford to cover the cost all by yourself.
The problem many Nigerian students face when looking to attend universities in Canada is the financial burden that comes with it. Are you one of those Nigerians looking for a way to study in Canada without all of that burden? Canadian Scholarships for Nigerian Students is the answer. In this article, we will provide you with different scholarships that you can apply for as a Nigerian to help fund your study in Canada.
Types of Canadian Scholarships for Nigerian Students
- Government-Funded Scholarships: The funding for supporting students in this type of scholarship comes from the Canadian government. Government-funded scholarships strengthen international ties, and Nigerian students are eligible for several of them.
- Non-Government Funded Scholarships: this includes scholarships from private companies/organizations, individuals, NGOs, and other institutions that are not government-owned.
- University-Funded Scholarships: Several universities in Canada offer scholarships to students who choose to attend their institution.
- Undergraduate Scholarships: these are scholarships that only cover the cost of obtaining an undergraduate degree.
- Graduate Scholarships: These are scholarships for graduate students. It may be for a master’s, PhD, or Postdoctoral.
- Fully Funded Scholarship: These are scholarships that cover the entire cost of attending a university in Canada. It usually covers the cost of tuition and living expenses. Most times, scholarships that cover just the cost of tuition are also referred to as fully funded scholarships.
- Partially Funded Scholarships: These scholarships only cover part of the cost of attending a Canadian University.
- Course-Specific Scholarships: These are scholarships that are offered to students who are looking to study a particular course. They are usually sponsored by departments or private organizations.
- Merit-Based Scholarships: The criteria for this type of scholarship often require students to meet certain standards in academic performance, extracurricular involvement, or other personal achievement.
- Need-Based Scholarships: This type of scholarship is set for students who require financial assistance.
- Research-Based Scholarship: There are extensive research programs in several Canadian institutions. Research-based scholarships are grants set to support researchers for the course of the research.
There are several types of scholarships in Canada. What’s more, is that a Canadian scholarship may fall under more than one type of scholarship. The sponsoring organizations dictate the criteria that must be met in order to be awarded a scholarship. For example; an Undergraduate scholarship that is merit-based (Academic Performance) or need-based (Financial Need).
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Fully Funded Canadian Scholarships for Nigerian Students 2023
#1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Degree: Masters/PhD
University: All universities in Canada
Subject: All
Value: $50,000 (Renewable for 3 years).
Application Deadline: November 1st 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
- Excellent academic record.
- Research Potential
- Leadership potential or demonstrated leadership skills
#2. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
Degree: Postdoctoral
University: All universities in Canada
Subject: All
Value: $70,000 (Renewable for 2 years).
Application Deadline: September 20th, 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a Canadian citizen or Foreign citizen (like Nigeria) with residency in Canada
- Must fulfill or have fulfilled all degree requirements for a PhD, PhD-equivalent, or health professional degree between September 15, 2020, and September 30, 2024 (inclusively), and also before the start date of their award.
#3. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships
Degree: PhD
University: All universities in Canada
Subject: Social Science and Humanities
Value: $40,000 (Renewable for 3 years).
Application Deadline: November 1st 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
- Excellent academic record.
- Research Potential
- Leadership potential or demonstrated leadership skills
#4. Google PhD Fellowship Program
Degree: PhD
University: All
Subject: Computer science and related fields.
Value: $32,000.
Application Deadline: May 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
- Students must have completed graduate coursework by the academic award year when the Fellowship begins.
#5. Simon Fraser University Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship
Degree: Undergraduate
University: Simon Fraser University
Subject: All
Value: $204,000 ($140,000 + $8,000 per term)
Application Deadline: January 31st, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applying to Simon Fraser University for the Fall term.
- Demonstrate excellence in both academic and extracurricular activities.
- Have grades in the 90% range OR 31 IB points, excluding predicted bonus points.
- Submit two complete references.
#6. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships
Degree: Undergraduate
University: University of Toronto
Subject: All
Value: Covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four (4) years.
Application Deadline: January 15th, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be an international student
- Leadership Ability
- Possess a creative mindset
#7. Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award
Degree: Undergraduate
University: University of British Columbia
Subject: All
Value: Covers the cost of tuition, living expenses, and miscellaneous expenses (renewable for three years).
Application Deadline: November, 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be an international student
- Demonstrate excellent academic performance
- Must be entering your first year at the University of British Columbia
- Demonstrate financial need.
#8. Leakey Foundation Research Grants
Degree: PhD/Postdoctoral
University: All
Subject: Research related to human origins
Value: $20,000/$30,000
Application Deadline: January 10th and July 15th
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an advanced doctoral student (no dissertations allowed) looking for Leakey Foundation Research Grants.
- Your research must be related to human origins.
- Submit a written application in English.
#9. 3M National Student Fellowships
Degree: Masters/PhD
University: All
Subject: All
Value: $5,000 award + Full Tuition and Accommodation.
Application Deadline: January 31st, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
- Leadership ability
- Innovation to contribute to more effective practices and support for students in post-secondary education.
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Partially Funded Canadian Scholarships for Nigerian Students
#1. Arthur F. Church Entrance Scholarship
Degree: Undergraduate
University: University of Waterloo
Subject: Engineering (Computer Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Systems Design Engineering)
Value: $10,000.
Application Deadline: Deadline Varies.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a first-year enrolled in an engineering course at the University of Waterloo
- Demonstrate academic excellence.
- Submit Admission Information Form (AIF).
- Attend an online video interview.
#2. Amelia Earhart Fellowships – For Women
Degree: PhD
University: All
Subject: Aerospace engineering & Space sciences.
Value: $10,000.
Application Deadline: November 15th, 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a woman of any nationality.
- Must demonstrate excellent academic records in the field of aerospace-applied sciences or aerospace-applied engineering.
#3. ServiceScape Scholarships
Degree: Undergraduate/Masters
University: All
Subject: All
Value: $1,000
Application Deadline: November 30th, 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be 18 years old and enrolled in an accredited university, college, or trade school.
- Submit an essay (in English) on the topic “How does writing impact today’s world.”
#4. University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships
Degree: Masters/PhD
University: University of Manitoba
Subject: All
Value: $14,000 (Masters)/$18,000 (PhD) per year
Application Deadline: December 1st, 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
- Demonstrate superior intellectual ability and academic achievement.
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (minimum GPA, however, may vary based on the department).
#5. Ontario Trillium Scholarships
Degree: PhD
University: University of Toronto
Subject: All
Value: $15,000
Application Deadline: Open
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person under the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
- International students who are studying or plan to study at the University of Toronto are also eligible to apply under a temporary resident visa (student study permit).
#6. University of Windsor Graduate Entrance Scholarships
Degree: Masters/PhD
University: University of Windsor
Subject: All
Value: $3,750 – $7,500
Application Deadline: Not Stated.
Eligibility Criteria
- Submit the full application package for admission into the academic program by the individual program’s application deadline or the entrance scholarship deadline.
#7. Humber College Bachelors Degree Scholarships
Degree: Undergraduate
University: Humber College
Subject: All
Value: $1,500 – $4,000
Application Deadline: September 30th, 2023
Eligibility Criteria
- Only available to students coming directly from high school/secondary school, who are non-transfer students
- Scholarship is awarded based on high academic achievement(75%. Renewability begins at 80%).
#9. York University Automatic Entrance Scholarship
Degree: Undergraduate
University: York University
Subject: All
Value: $1000 – $4000
Application Deadline: Deadline Varies
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be from a selected high school to qualify for this award.
- This scholarship is awarded to students with a 95% or above.
- Students must maintain an 8.00 sessional GPA and enrol in a minimum of 24 credits each year for the scholarship renewal.
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Eligibility Requirements for Scholarships in Canada for Nigerian Students
Usually, the criteria for qualifying for a Canadian scholarship for Nigerian students are preset by the sponsoring/administering organisation. However, there are some general requirements that need not be said when you want to apply for Canadian scholarships as a Nigerian student. Some of these requirements include
- Proven CItizenship: To apply for Canadian scholarships for Nigerian students, you must be able to prove that you are in fact Nigerian. The easiest way to do this is by having your Nigerian passport.
- Academic Excellence: Although scholarships are subjective, having excellent academic records is always a boost to your getting accepted for a scholarship. Some scholarships, on the other hand, are solely dependent on how superior your academic records are.
- Endorsements: Scholarships usually require some form of endorsement from faculty members, professionals, and in the case of scholarships by private organisations, endorsement from your institution.
- Field of Study: This requirement only applies to scholarships that are course-specific.
- English Proficiency: The majority of the Canadian scholarships for Nigerian students are in English. Some of these scholarships may require applicants to demonstrate their English proficiency. This may be through various English tests like IELTS and TOEFL or by form of an essay.
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Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting Accepted for Canada
These are some tips that you can use when applying for Canadian scholarships for Nigerian students to increase your chances of being selected.
- Tailor Your Application to the Scholarship: Before applying for a scholarship, make sure to extensively research the eligibility criteria and requirements for that scholarship. Understand what the scholarship goals are and highlight relevant achievements that make you an ideal candidate.
- Engage in Extracurricular Activities: Scholarships are also dependent on outside-the-classroom activities. A popular example would be “leadership abilities.” Endeavour to engage in club activities, join organizations and volunteer for Non-profits. All of these actions speak well for Nigerian students looking for Canadian scholarships.
- Look for Strong Recommendations: A strong recommendation can boost your scholarship application tremendously. Try to take on mentors. Relate with influential professors and professionals who can attest to your capabilities.
- Proofread and Review Your Application: Before submitting your application for a Canadian scholarship, make sure to proofread it and review it for any errors. A scholarship application with errors may just be the reason you are denied. You can have others read it and provide feedback on it too.
- Start your Application Early: Always make sure to apply for scholarships at the earliest. This gives you enough time to build a perfect application. Waiting till the last minute to apply for scholarships may put you in haste and this is not advisable. Furthermore, early applications may win you more consideration.
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Other Canada Scholarships for Nigerian Students
- McCall MacBain Scholarships
- Myer Horowitz Graduate Students’ Association Graduate Scholarship
- International Student Leadership Award
- Mary Edmunds Williams Scholarships
- Stollery Family Educational Scholarships
- Brookfield Residential Graduate Scholarship in Urban and Regional Planning
- Laurier Scholars Award
- The Jeanne Sauvé Public Leadership Program (Fellowship)
- Loran Scholars Foundation
- UDEM Exemption Scholarship
- Citizens of the World Excellence Scholarship
- Western’s Admission Scholarship Program
- University of Ottawa President’s Scholarship
Canadian Scholarships for Nigerian Students
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FAQs
How can I get a scholarship from Nigeria to Canada?
Getting a scholarship from Nigeria to Canada requires proactiveness. You must first do your research to find relevant scholarships that you are eligible for. Then, very carefully, follow the instructions for application that you are given by the scholarship providers. Make sure that your application is well crafted and that you apply before the deadlines.
What is a fully funded scholarship for Nigerian students in Canada?
A fully funded scholarship for Nigerian students in Canada is a scholarship that covers all the expenses associated with studying in Canada for a Nigerian. Typical expenses, in this case, include tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, and travel costs.
Is there a 100% scholarship to study in Canada?
Yes, there are scholarships that cover 100% of your expenses for studying in Canada. For example, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award. However, while these scholarships exist, they are highly competitive and can seem impossible to get.
Can Nigerian students get a scholarship in Canada?
Yes, Nigerian students can get scholarships to study in Canada. There are numerous Canadian scholarships that are available to international students, including Nigerian students.
