Canada's fully funded awards for asylum seekers pursuing undergraduate studies offer a life-changing opportunity for individuals who have been forced to flee their home countries. These awards provide financial support, covering full tuition fees and living costs, to help asylum seekers pursue their academic dreams in Canada. As an asylum seeker in Canada, you may be eligible for these awards, which can help you achieve your undergraduate degree without financial burden.
Who Qualifies
To be eligible for Canada's fully funded awards for asylum seekers, you must be a holder of one of the following visa categories:
* Convention Refugee
* Protected Person
* Asylum Seeker with a positive Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) decision
* Asylum Seeker with a positive Refugee Claim
* Asylum Seeker with a positive humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) decision
* Asylum Seeker with a positive temporary resident permit (TRP) decision
* Asylum Seeker who has applied for a study permit
Available Scholarships
University of Toronto National Scholarship Program
The University of Toronto National Scholarship Program offers a prestigious award that covers full tuition fees and living costs, valued at up to $80,000 per year, to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and creativity. To be eligible, you must be an asylum seeker who has been accepted into an undergraduate program at the University of Toronto. The deadline for application is November 2026, and you can find more information on the official website at https://www.utoronto.ca.
University of British Columbia Presidential Scholars Award
The University of British Columbia Presidential Scholars Award is a highly competitive award that provides full tuition fees and living costs, valued at up to $70,000 per year, to undergraduate students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement. To be eligible, you must be an asylum seeker who has been accepted into an undergraduate program at the University of British Columbia. The deadline for application is January 2027, and you can find more information on the official website at https://www.ubc.ca.
McGill University Entrance Scholarship
The McGill University Entrance Scholarship offers a merit-based award that covers full tuition fees and living costs, valued at up to $60,000 per year, to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. To be eligible, you must be an asylum seeker who has been accepted into an undergraduate program at McGill University. The deadline for application is January 2027, and you can find more information on the official website at https://www.mcgill.ca.
University of Ottawa Scholarship for Asylum Seekers
The University of Ottawa Scholarship for Asylum Seekers provides a full scholarship that covers tuition fees and living costs, valued at up to $50,000 per year, to undergraduate students who are asylum seekers. To be eligible, you must be an asylum seeker who has been accepted into an undergraduate program at the University of Ottawa. The deadline for application is March 2027, and you can find more information on the official website at https://www.uottawa.ca.
York University International Student Scholarship
The York University International Student Scholarship offers a partial award that covers tuition fees, valued at up to $20,000 per year, to undergraduate students who are international students, including asylum seekers. To be eligible, you must be an asylum seeker who has been accepted into an undergraduate program at York University. The deadline for application is May 2027, and you can find more information on the official website at https://www.yorku.ca.
Application Steps
- Check your eligibility for the scholarship by reviewing the visa categories listed above.
- Research the universities and scholarships that are available to asylum seekers in Canada.
- Review the application requirements and deadlines for each scholarship.
- Prepare your application documents, including your academic transcripts, language proficiency test results, and letters of recommendation.
- Submit your application before the deadline, either online or by mail, depending on the university's requirements.
- Wait for the scholarship committee to review your application and make a decision.
- If you are selected, you will be notified by the university and provided with instructions on how to accept the award.
- Once you have accepted the award, you can begin making arrangements to enroll in your undergraduate program.
Documents Checklist
* Academic transcripts
* Language proficiency test results (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL)
* Letters of recommendation
* Proof of asylum seeker status (e.g. positive refugee claim, PRRA decision)
* Proof of acceptance into an undergraduate program at a Canadian university
* Passport and study permit application documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a Convention Refugee and a Protected Person?
A: A Convention Refugee is someone who has been recognized as a refugee by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), while a Protected Person is someone who has been recognized as a protected person by the Government of Canada. Both categories are eligible for Canada's fully funded awards for asylum seekers.
Q: Can I apply for a scholarship if I have already started my undergraduate program?
A: Yes, you can apply for a scholarship even if you have already started your undergraduate program, but you must meet the eligibility requirements and apply before the deadline.
Q: How do I apply for a study permit as an asylum seeker?
A: You can apply for a study permit as an asylum seeker by submitting an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and providing the required documents, including proof of acceptance into an undergraduate program at a Canadian university.
Q: What is the language proficiency requirement for scholarships in Canada?
A: The language proficiency requirement for scholarships in Canada varies depending on the university and program, but most require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or a minimum TOEFL score of 90.
Q: Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?
A: Yes, you can apply for multiple scholarships at the same time, but you must meet the eligibility requirements and apply before the deadline for each scholarship.
Q: How do I know if I am eligible for a scholarship as an asylum seeker?
A: You can review the eligibility requirements for each scholarship and check if you meet the requirements, including being an asylum seeker with a positive refugee claim or PRRA decision.
Q: What is the deadline for applying for scholarships in Canada?
A: The deadline for applying for scholarships in Canada varies depending on the university and program, but most deadlines fall between November and May of each year.
For more information on Canada's fully funded awards for asylum seekers, you can visit the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html or the official website of the University of Toronto at https://www.utoronto.ca.
To learn more about the latest news and updates on scholarships for migrants, visit https://migrantscholar.com/blog.
Related Guides
- Canada scholarships for migrants
- Vanier scholarships
- PhD scholarships
- fully funded scholarships
- scholarship deadlines 2026
- scholarship glossary
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Last Reviewed: 26 July 2026