The University of Toronto National Scholarships and the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships are two of our most exciting scholarship programs. These awards are designed to recognize outstanding students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievements, creativity, leadership, and a strong commitment to their communities.

We wanted to highlight these programs to you again this fall and draw your attention to some important changes in the application timelines. We hope you consider nominating your most deserving students to help them take advantage of these prestigious awards.

The National Scholarship rewards original, creative and committed Canadian secondary school students. These are students who demonstrate superior academic performance, original and creative thought, and exceptional achievement in a broad context. They excel in academic pursuits, demonstrate enthusiasm for intellectual exploration and have a strong involvement in the lives of their schools and communities.

Students who have been nominated by their schools as National Book Award recipients may submit applications to the National Scholarship Program.

• a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
• currently in your final year of Canadian secondary school or first-year CEGEP
• intending to begin university the following academic year (or intending to take a gap year)
• a National Book Award nominee

The National Scholarship covers tuition, incidental and residence fees for up to four years of study. Finalists not designated as National Scholars receive Arbor Scholarships. Approximately fifteen students are selected as National Scholars and ten runners-up are named Arbor Scholars. The scholarship is tenable only at the University of Toronto.

Nominees must submit an online application form in order to be considered for the National Scholarship. Nominees will then receive an email containing the link to the National Scholarship application form.

As of fall 2024, only Book Award nominees are eligible to apply for the National Scholarship program. We will be accepting nominations from schools from mid-September until October 10.

We’re here to help! Visit our National Scholarships website for complete details, including answers to frequently asked questions. If you have any further questions about applying to the National Scholarship, please contact: national.enquiry@utoronto.ca

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships at the University of Toronto offer an exceptional opportunity for outstanding international students to study at a top university in a vibrant, multicultural city. This prestigious scholarship recognizes students who excel academically, demonstrate creativity, and are leaders in their school and community. See our 2024 Pearson Scholars here.

• an international student (i.e. a non-Canadian requiring a study permit);
• enrolled in your final year of senior secondary school in 2024/2025 or have graduated no earlier than June 2024
• beginning your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2025 (students already attending post-secondary studies cannot be considered; students starting their post-secondary studies in January 2025 at another post-secondary institution cannot be considered).

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships will cover tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years. The scholarship is tenable only at the University of Toronto for first-entry, undergraduate programs. Each year approximately 37 students will be named Lester B. Pearson Scholars.

1. Students receive a nomination from their school. High schools not already contacted/verified are asked to submit an application to participate in our program, available here. High schools who have participated in a previous year will receive their nomination access starting July 1, 2024.
2. Students apply to study at the University of Toronto by October 18, 2024 in order to begin their studies in September 2025.  Please note that students will be considered for the Pearson Scholarship for their first choice of program at U of T.  While students may apply to several programs and may receive admission to them all, the Pearson Scholarship, if awarded, would be to their first choice of program at U of T at the time our scholarship decisions are made.
3. Once we have received a nomination and the student has applied to the University, the student can complete the online Lester B. Pearson Scholarship application by November 8, 2024.  Students will receive a private link to the scholarship application when they have been successfully nominated by their school.
4. All necessary documentation must be submitted online by November 8, 2024.

• School nomination deadline: October 11, 2024
• Student OUAC admission application deadline: October 18, 2024 
• Student scholarship application deadline and documentation submission deadline: November 8, 2024

We’re here to help! Visit our Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships website for complete details, including answers to frequently asked questions. If you have any further questions about applying to the Pearson Scholarships, please contact: pearson.scholarship@utoronto.ca