Studying abroad—anywhere—requires careful financial planning, so it is important to find out if there are scholarships or other forms of financial support available for your study abroad destination. This section will provide direction on how to find information about awards and scholarships for Nigerian students to study in Canada.

There are programs and funding options for international students interested in studying in Canada: mostly international students of high academic standing or, in some situations, eligible students from certain areas or countries for whom scholarships or other financial assistance is in place.

Below you will find information regarding ways of conducting a search to see if you may be eligible for a scholarship or other funding to study in Canada:

CANADIAN GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The first place to look for information is the Canadian Government’s International Scholarships Page. This online resource allows international students to look up available scholarships in Canada based on their country of origin.

In this case, a Nigerian looking for a study in Canada scholarship will have to go to the page that contains scholarships/awards available to foreign students for study/research in Canada, select your country of origin as "Nigeria", then review the list of scholarships for which you are eligible to apply.

Provincial & Territorial Scholarships/Awards for International Students

Canadian provinces and territories from time to time develop their own scholarship and award programs for international students, so it is a good idea that a Nigerian undergraduate or graduate student, who is looking for a scholarship to study in Canada, visit the Ministry of Education Website of the province in Canada where they intend to study. Two popular provincial awards/scholarship for international students are stated below:

British Columbia (BC)
International (or Nigerian) students intending/studying in the province of BC may be eligible for international student funding or special programs. More details here => Scholarships and Special Programs (LearnLiveBC).

Ontario (ON)
Ontario Trillium Scholarships (OTS) Program: The Government of Ontario funds Trillium Awards for international PhD students to study at a university in Ontario. In general, OTS are awarded to new international PhD recipients for a maximum of four years. Each OTS is valued at $40,000 annually and is automatically renewable for an additional three years provided the recipient maintains good academic standing and continues to meet OTS eligibility requirements. This program is described on the individual Ontario university websites.

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE THROUGH INDIVIDUAL CANADIAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

Most Canadian colleges and universities will have some sort of funding assistance available to international students in the form of entrance awards or scholarships; and some secondary schools will as well. Certain Canadian educational institutions and provincial governments may also have in place a reduced tuition rate for students studying in a particular language or in a particular field.

In this case, once the student has decided on an educational institution and program of study, the student will have to search the school’s website (or contacts the school directly) for suitable funding opportunities. Usually, international students are considered for entrance awards and scholarships at the time of admission, based on their submitted academic results (transcripts) and other application supporting documents.

It is important to note that if you make use of our (i.e. Plumville's) educational institution placement service for your study in Canada, you have an added advantage as our qualified educational consultants are constantly updated about scholarships for Nigerian undergraduates and graduates, that are available at Canadian educational institutions. Also, we will do a comprehensive search and ensure that we apply for any entrance awards and scholarships that is available at the chosen Canadian educational institution.

Furthermore, a Nigerian student who is hoping to get an entrance award or scholarship at a Canadian educational institution, should apply early to their educational institution of choice, to ensure they are considered for entrance scholarships and awards. Also, the ‘Fall’ (September) intake will be the best option for such a person, as most Canadian universities mainly consider ‘Fall’ applicants for entrance awards/scholarship.

HOME COUNTRY SCHOLARSHIPS

Home country scholarships can be very substantial and it is another way for a Nigerian to find out about other funding or scholarship for foreign studies. For example:

1. Scholarships Offered by the Student’s Home Country Government. For instance; some Nigerian States (such as Rivers, Delta, etc.) provides scholarship opportunities to indigenes of their respective states to study abroad. Valid information about these opportunities can usually be gotten from the State’s Ministry of Education.

2. Scholarships Offered by Organizations/Companies in the Student’s Home Country. From time to time (usually on an annual basis) reputable organizations and companies in Nigeria come up with Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Nigerians to study abroad. These funding opportunities are usually published in National Newspapers and we will usually share these opportunities via our social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, etc). Hence, ensure that you follow/like us on all your social media platforms (we are @PLUMVILLEint on all the social media platforms) and also Subscribe to our Blog via email, so that you are aware whenever these opportunities come up.

Furthermore, in the near future, Plumville plans to have an annual Study Abroad Scholarship Scheme whereby one Nigerian Undergraduate and Postgraduate student respectively, will each get full scholarship package to study abroad. The whole idea behind this is to encourage and motivate Nigerian students with high academic standing who are willing to study abroad, but are not financially capable to afford it. The recipients of this scholarship will be selected after a rigorous process. Just make sure that you visit our website often, follow/like us on all your social media platforms (we are @PLUMVILLEint on all the social media platforms), and/or Subscribe to our Blog via email, so that you do not miss out on this great opportunity.

3. Check with the Canadian Diplomatic Mission in your home country. In this case, Nigerians who are looking for scholarships to study in Canada, will have to check with the Canadian High Commission in Abuja and/or the Canadian Deputy High Commission in Lagos. 

GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS

There is funding/financial assistance available for international students of high academic standing at the Canadian graduate level (e.g., master’s, doctoral (PhD), post-doctoral). The value of these awards will differ by academic department, as well as institution. The education institution in Canada that is under consideration will have to be contacted. If you make use of our (i.e. Plumville International’s) overseas educational institution placement service, our competent educational consultants will contact the Canadian educational institution on your behalf.

This assistance may be in the form of:
• Teaching/departmental assistantships;
• Research funds;
• University graduate scholarships;
• External scholarships (i.e., scholarships provided by a third party);
• Bursaries (awards based on financial need that are intended to supplement a student’s other funding sources).

There are also a handful of Government of Canada and External Scholarship Opportunities available to top international students applying for graduate programs in Canada. More details are provided below:

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS)

• The Vanier CGS program helps Canada’s educational institutions attract highly qualified doctoral students, who exhibit strong achievement in health, natural sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences.
• Open to Canadian and international doctoral students.
• Up to 167 scholarships are awarded annually, valued at $50,000 per year for three years during doctoral studies. A total of up to 500 scholarships are active at any time.
• Considers three equally weighted evaluation criteria; academic excellence, research potential, and leadership.
• For more information: www.vanier.gc.ca

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

• Designed for the very best postdoctoral researchers, who will positively contribute to the country’s economic, social and research-based growth.
• Open to both Canadian and international researchers who have recently completed a PhD, PhD-equivalent, or health professional degree.
• 70 fellowships are awarded annually, valued at $70,000 per year for two years. A total of up to 140 awards are active at any time.
• Criteria for selection: (1) research excellence and leadership in area of expertise or research; (2) quality of the applicant’s proposed research program; (3) institutional commitment and demonstrated synergy between applicant and institutional strategic priorities;
• For more information: www.banting.fellowships-bourses.gc.ca

Trudeau Foundation Scholarships (and Fellowships)

• Highly competitive programs offering up to 15 doctoral scholarships each year for studies in social sciences and humanities; with some available to international students.
• The foundation does not accept individual applications - Candidates must be nominated by a Canadian or Foreign university and be either applying to a doctoral program in the social sciences and humanities or registered full-time in the first or second year of such a program.
• Annual value of up to $60,000 per scholar (including an annual travel allowance of $20,000) for up to four years.
• Selection Criteria: (1) Have a track record of academic achievement (2) Possess exceptional skills that will enable the scholar engage in lively exchange with other researchers (3) Intend to work in an area related to one or more of the Foundation’s four themes (human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada’s role in the world, and people and their natural environment); and have an expressed desire to contribute to public dialogue.
• For more information: www.trudeaufoundation.ca

The Jeanne Sauvé Public Leadership Program (Fellowship)

• Open to both Canadian and international applicants.
• Eligibility to apply: (1) Be between 25 and 30 years of age (2) Have completed at least one university degree (3) Possess high oral and written proficiency in English; French language skills are an asset (4) Have at least 3 years of full-time professional experience; full-time internships and volunteer positions are considered to be professional experience (5) Have a strong leadership record benefitting a particular community or cause in the public interest (6) The will and skill to think and act across differences as a public leader.
• Once in two years, young leaders are offered a unique opportunity to spend 12 months away from their studies, careers, or other formal commitments, for a period of reflection and self-realization while undertaking a new project in his or her chosen field.
• Fellows are chosen based on: (1) Their passion for strengthening cultural diverse societies (2) A genuine desire to serve the public interest and in the public sphere (3) The ability to work well in an intercultural and international team of your peers, both as a member and a leader (4) Sharp critical thinking skills (5) An original approach to solving a real-world problem (6) A burning curiosity about globally-significant issues and how they connect (7) A passion for excellence.
• For more information: http://jeannesauve.org/pillars/public-leadership-program/