Are you a student looking for a way to study in Canada? But you are on a low budget, worry no more as we are here to provide you on how international students can access funding.
Do you have all it takes to apply for a scholarship in Canada? click here to find out
If you have plans to study abroad as an international student, you will need to make sure that you can afford the tuition fees and cost of living. In some countries your tuition fees can be considerably higher than that of home students. But for students, scholarship fees are less and that brings us to the offer we have for you today.
There are many ways in which international students can access funding but one of the easiest methods of starting your studies in Canada is by winning a scholarship that covers your study and living expenses, in that way you will have no or lesser bills to pay.
International students can apply for scholarships in Canada by enrolling in undergraduate, masters, doctoral, post-doctoral, and certificate programs. International scholarships from the Canadian government are provided in almost all academic fields. And it is open to students from all regions. Canadian institutions provide different types of scholarships, the longest one can pay a student’s fees for up to four years.
Do you have all it takes to apply for a scholarship in Canada? Click here to find out
Types Of Scholarship
Academic
Academic scholarships are scholarships awarded to students who have displayed academic excellence in their previous academic sections. They may be subject specific or generic. Academic excellence doesn’t always mean gaining the highest grade or best grades, it can simply mean reaching a certain level that shows that you are a committed and intelligent student. Some Other things that may help you to gain a scholarship are extracurricular activities that you participate in, and your future plans related to your area of study.
Mobility
If you are from a background that may restrict your access to higher education, or come from an underrepresented population in higher education, you may be able to apply for a mobility scholarship. These scholarships can assist you with your tuition fees or living expenses, making higher education more affordable and accessible. Sometimes these scholarships can be based on how much your parents earn, or if you can afford to access higher education without any financial support. If you are qualified for other types of financial aid, you may not be eligible for a mobility scholarship.
Sports/Performance
If you are a good athlete, an institution may offer you a scholarship to help you with tuition fees or living expenses. This is normally on the condition that you will continue to compete in your sport activities while studying at university. There may be more specific requirements at different universities, for example competing at a certain level, gaining certain accolades, and maintaining an academic standard.
This type of scholarship can also apply to other areas, such as music or performing arts. If you are talented and performing at a high level in one of these areas, you may also be eligible for a scholarship to a university in Canada.
Here are other ways international students can access funding without having a scholarship.
Self and family funding
Depending on your family financial situation, your family may be able to help with the funding of your studies. They might have been saving for your higher education or be able to access a loan to make further study affordable and accessible to you.
If you think that your family might be able to offer financial assistance, have a conversation with them to see what your options are. If this is not a reality for you, there are other options and opportunities to gain financial help with your studies.
Government student loans
If self-funding was not a better decision for you, you could also try government student loans for international students. You might be qualified to access a loan from the government of your country, or from the government of the country you are looking forward to studying in. To be able to gain a government loan you may have to meet some certain criteria, such as language requirements or study level requirements, so it is worth checking these before you apply for a place at university or for your loan.
It is important to note that loans need to be repaid. Before you take a loan out, you should make sure that you will be able to repay the loan, as there are consequences to late or missed payments. However, government loans are usually more lenient than personal bank loans, and their repayment plans and stipulations tend to be set up with students in mind.
Personal student loans
The personal student loan is another option for international students who need to access financial assistance. Personal loans might be available from your bank, or from loan companies in your country. Whilst taking out a personal loan might seem like the ideal answer to funding your studies, you need to understand the terms and conditions of your loan. The repayment plans for personal and non-study specific loans can be less forgiving, and the consequences of missing a payment can be harsher. It is not recommended that you take out a loan if you are not confident that you can repay the full amount, plus any interest that may also be added.
When you are looking at different student loans, you should compare them to see which works the best for you. Things to consider are repayment plans, the terms and conditions around repayments (what are the consequences for missing payments, will they offer help if your financial situation changes), and the interest that is added to your repayments.
Find out more about studying abroad and application for scholarship in other countries by clicking on this link.
