Scholarships for Medical Programs in Canada

Canada is one of the countries where medical education is gaining popularity, especially among international candidates, due to the high employment opportunities and the quality of education the country offers. A medical degree here can be completed within 3 to 5 years, after which candidates can specialize in their chosen field without having to complete an internship separately. All these factors and the relative affordability of medical education here make it an ideal location for pursuing higher education in this field.

While medical education here is affordable compared to countries like the US, it can still be expensive for candidates from other parts of the world. This is why the country offers many scholarships that are partially or fully funded through the government or the different public universities here. Apart from these popular scholarships that are sought after by everyone, students will be able to get scholarships and financial aid provided by non-profit organizations based on their ethnicity, nationality, etc., as long as they apply early enough.

Steps to Apply for Scholarships in Canada

The scholarships offered to medical students in Canada are mostly provided by the universities they have enrolled in. This can either be based on merit or the nationality of the candidate and the collaborations done by the university with other universities around the world. In any case, the steps to applying for these universities can be different and will have to be personally confirmed by the candidate by contacting the scholarship provider. A few of the steps one has to complete while considering applying for scholarships include-

• Step 1: Collect Necessary Documents- The first step to applying for a scholarship is collecting all the necessary documents for both the college application and the scholarship application. When most of the documents overlap, scholarship applications will require financial statements and other candidate personal details, which can take time to process. Candidates need to have these documents at hand even before processing their college applications to reduce further delay.
• Step 2: Choose Medical Program and University- While medical schools often provide scholarships of their own, scholarships for international students are based on different programs that one has chosen. Candidates will have to choose a school and a program based on which they will be able to find scholarships that suit them.
• Step 3: Make List of Eligible External Scholarships- Even though there are scholarships that universities provide, these scholarships are highly esteemed, and candidates have to be extremely competitive to receive them. Non-profit organizations outside academic systems also provide scholarships based on ethnicity, gender, nationality, etc. Students will be able to apply for these scholarships after doing their research.
• Step 4: Make a List of Eligible University Scholarships- There are university scholarships that are offered to students within the same university and those outside of the university. Candidates must list the scholarships they are eligible for, along with their deadlines.
• Step 5: Apply Within Deadline for Higher Chances- Once the lists have been made, candidates will be able to apply to their chosen universities. Scholarship applications for non-profit organizations can be made after the admission has been confirmed. At the same time, scholarship applications for universities and college applications will have to be made.

Documents Required for Scholarships in Canada

Most scholarships that students can receive for medical education are based on the candidate's academic merit. This will include the experience they have within the field along with their undergraduate academic results. Almost every university offering medical education provides scholarships to domestic and international students. This is especially true for international students who come from developing nations. The general documents that one will have to submit, irrespective of the scholarship they apply to, include-

• Educational Transcripts
• Recommendation Letters
• Statement of Purpose
• GRE/ GMAT score report
• IELTS/TOEFL score report
• Resume

International students will also need to provide details about their study permit and passport as part of the scholarship application.

Scholarships for Medical Education

A few of the scholarships offered through universities and other organizations include-

Scholarship	Provided by	Award Amount
MasterCard Scholarship	McGill University, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia	Fully-Funded
International Entrance Scholarships	York University	$120,000 to $180,000
Dr F. Lloyd Roberts Scholarship	University of Alberta	$8,000 per year
AB Wiswell Scholarship	Dalhousie University	Varies
Albert A. Butler Award in Orthopedics	McGill University	$6,650
AE Bowie Scholarship in Medicine	University of Alberta	$1,750
Prestige Scholarship Program	University of Carleton	$20,000 to $30,000
Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine Scholarships	University of Manitoba	Varies

MasterCard Scholarship

The MasterCard Foundation provides this scholarship in collaboration with different public universities in the country. They offer full scholarships to students from sub-Saharan African countries if they have applied for educational programs at the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia. The programs that are covered by the scholarship change from academic year to year. The scholarship will cover full financial assistance, including tuition, travel expenses, and visa application fees. During their studies, candidates will also receive health insurance, course materials, laptops, food, and other miscellaneous educational expenses.

Candidates who avail themselves of this scholarship will be able to take up 2 unpaid internships, one in Toronto and the other in Africa.

York University International Entrance Scholarships

York University awards this scholarship to medical students in Canada. Candidates from all nationalities can apply for this scholarship, valid only for undergraduate programs. It is referred to as an entrance scholarship since it is provided only once when the student gets admission to the university. Candidates are not required to apply separately for entrance scholarships as it is provided based on their merit. The Tentanda Via Award and the President’s International Scholarship of Excellence are all entrance scholarships through which one will get $120,000 and $180,000, respectively, based on their eligibility for either. Both of these scholarships are awarded on an annual basis for all four years of study.

Dr F. Lloyd Roberts Scholarship

This scholarship is provided annually to academically exemplary students in medicine or dentistry in association with the University of Alberta. It is provided for candidates doing an MD program at the university. The amount offered annually is around $8,000, and candidates must apply separately for the scholarship. They will not be automatically considered upon applying for admission to the medical school.

A. B. Wiswell Scholarship

This is a third-party scholarship provided by Wiswell in association with Dalhousie University. It is merit-based and is only available to students who have applied to the faculty of medicine at this university. The candidate can apply to either an MD degree or a program provided within the faculty of medicine.

Albert A. Butler Award in Orthopedics

A third party in association with McGill University sponsors this scholarship. It is provided only to candidates who have taken up orthopedics research within this university's faculty of medicine. Special preference is offered to those doing extensive research within this field of study. Candidates who receive this scholarship will be provided with funds for attending conferences and purchasing research equipment. They will be provided with $6,550 as part of the scholarship.

AE Bowie Scholarship in Medicine

AE Bowie provides this scholarship in association with the University of Alberta. It is provided by the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, which is part of the Department of Medicine at the university. The scholarship is based on merit and special preference is provided to those who wish to specialize in diseases relating to the ear. It is provided annually, and the amount is estimated to be around $10,000 per year. It will be given to the candidate for all four years of their study at the university.

Prestige Scholarship Program

This scholarship program is provided in association with the University of Carleton. It is a purely medical scholarship program that offers awards based on the candidate's merit. It is provided only for undergraduate programs and is offered to domestic and international candidates. This program includes Chancellor’s scholarships worth $30,000, Richard Lewar Entrance scholarships worth $21,500, Carleton University Scholarships of Excellence worth $20,000, etc.

Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine Scholarships

These scholarships aim to provide financial assistance to deserving individuals with exceptional academic achievements, leadership qualities, and a strong commitment to the medical profession. The scholarships offered by the Max Rady College of Medicine are not solely based on academic merit. While academic excellence is an important criterion, the college also considers other factors such as community involvement, extracurricular activities, and personal achievements.

Additional Scholarships Available for Medical Field Students

Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship

In addition to providing financial support for academic research and study in various fields, the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship program also offers coverage for medical disciplines. This means that recipients of the scholarship or fellowship pursuing studies or research in medical fields such as medicine, nursing, public health, or other related disciplines will have access to funding and support to further their education and contribute to advancements in healthcare. This coverage may include funding for tuition, research expenses, travel costs, and other necessary resources, which amounts to $10,000 per year to support the recipient's work in the medical field.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program also extends its coverage to medical fields, offering $10,000 for two consecutive study terms and $15,000 for three consecutive study terms. This financial support aims to assist graduate students pursuing advanced studies in medical disciplines, including but not limited to medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. The funding can cover tuition fees, research expenses, living costs, and other educational-related expenses.

National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) Scholarships

The National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) provides a range of scholarships and fellowships to assist students and researchers throughout their academic pursuits, including those studying in the medical field. Notable programs include the Canada Graduate Scholarships â€" Doctoral (CGS D), Canada Graduate Scholarships â€" Master’s (CGS M), Canada Graduate Scholarships â€" Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements (CGS-MSFSS), NSERC Indigenous Student Ambassadors (NISA) Grant, NSERC Indigenous Student Ambassadors (NISA) Grant, and Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS).

The Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship

The Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship also extends its coverage to medical fields. The scholarship amount varies depending on the program. For doctoral research programs, the scholarship provides $25,000 per year. Post-doctoral fellows receive $35,000 for one year. Additionally, for short-term research stays or professional development, the scholarship offers $3,000 per month for four months.

Study in Canada Scholarships

The Study in Canada Scholarships also extend to medical fields, catering to citizens of Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda Burkina Faso, Türkiye, Ukraine. Students enrolled in a 4-month undergraduate or graduate program can benefit from generous financial support of $10,200, which significantly eases the financial burden of studying abroad and allows them to concentrate on their academic pursuits without concerns about expenses. Moreover, for those aspiring to pursue a longer graduate program lasting 5-6 months, the scholarship award amount is increased to $12,700.

How challenging is it to secure medical scholarships in Canada?

Obtaining medical scholarships in Canada can be quite challenging due to the competitive nature of the field and the limited number of scholarships available. Medical school is expensive, and many students rely on scholarships to help offset the cost of tuition, books, and other expenses.

In addition to academic achievement, applicants for medical scholarships in Canada are often required to demonstrate a strong commitment to medicine, leadership skills, and community involvement. They may also need to provide letters of recommendation, essays, and other supporting documents to strengthen their application.

Furthermore, the selection process for medical scholarships in Canada can be rigorous, with many scholarships being awarded based on academic merit, financial need, and extracurricular activities. As a result, competition for these scholarships can be fierce, and only the most qualified candidates are typically chosen to receive funding.

While obtaining a medical scholarship in Canada may be challenging, it is not impossible. With dedication, hard work, and a strong application, students can increase their chances of securing financial assistance to pursue their medical education.