Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program
University of Toronto · All India
| Scheme Name | Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program |
| Provided By | University of Toronto |
| Eligibility Summary | Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income) |
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
$12 (approx. ₹50.5 Lakh+)
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship that covers tuition fees, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years of undergraduate study at the University of Toronto. The scholarship amount is variable as it covers the full cost of attendance. In 2024, over CAD $12 million was distributed among approximately 37 scholars, equating to an average value of about CAD $324,324 per student over four years. This estimates to approximately INR 55,50,000 annually (based on an approximate exchange rate of 1 CAD = 68.5 INR). The scholarship funds are disbursed directly to the University of Toronto to cover the specified expenses, not as a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts.
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Must be an international student (i.e., a non-Canadian requiring a study permit).
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Must be currently enrolled in your final year of senior secondary school in 2026/2027 or have graduated no earlier than June 2026.
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Must be beginning your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027.
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Students already attending post-secondary studies or starting post-secondary studies in January 2027 at the University of Toronto or another post-secondary institution are not eligible.
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Must be nominated by your high school.
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Must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, creativity, and leadership potential.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Undergraduate |
| Course / Stream | Undergraduate |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓High school nomination (from your high school)
- ✓University of Toronto undergraduate admission application
- ✓Academic transcripts (secondary school transcripts)
- ✓Personal Statement / Scholarship application form (submitted online via a personalized link after nomination)
- ✓Supporting documents requested by the university
- ✓English language proficiency certification (if applicable for U of T admission)
Selection Process
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Candidates for the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship are selected based on exceptional academic achievement, creativity, and demonstrated leadership potential
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A special emphasis is placed on the student's impact on their school and community, and their potential to contribute positively to the global community
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Students cannot apply directly
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they must first be nominated by their current secondary school through an online nomination process
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Each participating high school can nominate only one student per year
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After nomination and submission of an undergraduate admission application to the University of Toronto, nominated students receive a private link to complete the scholarship application, which includes written responses about academic interests, leadership experiences, and community contributions.
Renewal Policy
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is renewable annually for four years, provided the scholar maintains satisfactory academic performance throughout their undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Confirm Eligibility
* You must be an international student (non-Canadian requiring a study permit). * You must be currently in your final year of senior secondary school in 2026/2027, or have graduated no earlier than June 2026. * You must be beginning your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027. * Students already attending post-secondary studies or those starting post-secondary studies in January 2027 at U of T or another institution are not eligible. **
- 2High School Nomination (July - October 2026)
* Speak with your guidance counsellor, principal, or head of school to express your interest and ask if your school is eligible to nominate students. * Your high school must nominate you through the University of Toronto's online nomination process. * Deadline for School Nomination: October 9, 2026. (For schools that have not participated before, they must apply to join the program by noon (EST) on October 9, 2026). **
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Apply to the University of Toronto (September - October 2026): * You must apply for admission to an undergraduate program at the University of Toronto through the OUAC portal (Ontario Universities' Application Centre). * You can apply to up to three undergraduate programs, but the Pearson Scholarship, if awarded, will be restricted to your top choice program. * Deadline for OUAC Admission Application: October 16, 2026.
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Complete the Pearson Scholarship Application (October - November 2026): * After your school nominates you and you have submitted your admission application to U of T, you will receive a private link to the Pearson Scholarship application. * Complete this online form and submit all required documentation, which includes written responses about your academic interests, leadership experiences, and contributions to your community. * Deadline for Student Scholarship Application and Documentation Submission: November 6, 2026.
- 5Status Tracking
* Decisions are typically announced starting at the end of January 2027, with all nominees being notified of decisions by April 2027. * If selected, you will be notified and will need to accept your offer to the University of Toronto by the stated deadline, complete enrollment steps, obtain a Canadian study permit, and arrange travel to Toronto.
Common Questions (FAQs)
What does the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship fully cover?
The scholarship provides full financial coverage for four years of undergraduate study at the University of Toronto. This includes full tuition fees, costs for books and academic materials, incidental student fees, and full residence (on-campus housing) support.
How do I apply for this scholarship if students cannot apply directly?
You must be nominated by your current secondary school. Each high school can nominate only one student per year. It is crucial to approach your school's guidance counsellor, principal, or head of school to discuss the nomination process. After your school nominates you and you have applied for admission to the University of Toronto, you will receive a private link to complete the scholarship application.
What are the key deadlines for the 2027 academic year intake?
For students intending to begin studies in September 2027, the key deadlines are: School Nomination Deadline: October 9, 2026; Student OUAC Admission Application Deadline: October 16, 2026; and Student Scholarship Application & Documentation Submission Deadline: November 6, 2026.
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Legal Disclaimer
IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official University of Toronto website before final submission.