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 | Undergraduate · No income limit |
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 covering tuition fees, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years of undergraduate study at the University of Toronto. The exact annual amount in INR is variable as it covers the full cost of attendance, which varies by program. In 2024, the program distributed over CAD $12 million across 37 scholars, with an average four-year value of approximately CAD 3,24,324 per student. Based on an estimated exchange rate of Rs. 67 per CAD, this equates to approximately INR 54,32,427 annually, or INR 2,17,29,708 over four years. The scholarship does not cover expenses such as flight tickets, visa and study permit application fees, health insurance (beyond the University Health Insurance Plan, which scholars should confirm coverage for), personal expenses, phone, internet, or personal equipment like computers. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts is not applicable for this international scholarship.
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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 outstanding academic achievement, creativity (evidence of original thinking, innovative projects, or unique approaches to problems), and leadership and community impact (being recognized as a leader within their school and showing potential to contribute positively to the global community)
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A crucial aspect of the selection process is that students cannot apply directly
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they must be nominated by their high school
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Each secondary school is allowed to nominate only one student per year
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The University of Toronto evaluates nominees on these qualities, emphasizing the student's positive impact on their school and local community.
Renewal Policy
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The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is automatically renewed for all four years of the undergraduate program
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This renewal is contingent upon the scholar maintaining satisfactory academic standing at the University of Toronto throughout their degree.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Get Nominated by Your High School (Deadline
October 9, 2026) * Speak with your guidance counselor, principal, or head of school as early as possible to confirm if your school is eligible to nominate students. * Schools that have previously participated will receive access to the nomination form starting July 6, 2026. * If your school has not participated before, they must apply to join the program by noon (EST) on October 9, 2026. The application to participate can be found at `apply.adm.utoronto.ca/register/pearson-participate`. * Your school will select and nominate one student for the scholarship.
- 2Apply to the University of Toronto (Deadline
October 16, 2026) * After being nominated, you must apply to at least one undergraduate program at the University of Toronto through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). * The deadline to submit your admission application to U of T to be considered for the Pearson Scholarship is October 16, 2026. * While you can apply to up to three programs, the Pearson Scholarship, if awarded, will be restricted to your top-choice program at the time scholarship decisions are made.
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Complete the Pearson Scholarship Application (Deadline: November 6, 2026) * Once your school has nominated you and you have submitted your application for admission to U of T, you will receive a private link to the Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship application. * Complete this online application and submit all required documentation, including official secondary school academic transcripts, a school profile document, and proof of international student status (e.g., passport). * The deadline to complete and submit the Pearson International Scholarship application is November 6, 2026. Status Tracking:** * While specific real-time tracking for the scholarship application is not detailed, results are typically announced around mid-April. * The Pearson Program Office provides support and one-on-one check-in meetings for current Pearson Scholars throughout their enrollment.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Is the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship a fully funded scholarship?
Yes, the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is a fully funded award. It covers the full cost of tuition fees, books, incidental fees, and comprehensive residence support for all four years of your undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. However, it does not cover personal expenses such as flights, visa fees, or additional living costs beyond residence.
How do students apply for the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship?
The application process for the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is nomination-based. Students cannot apply directly. First, your high school must nominate you, as each school can nominate only one student per year. After being nominated by your school, you must apply for admission to an undergraduate program at the University of Toronto. Following your university application, you will receive a private link to complete the separate Pearson Scholarship application.
What are the conditions for renewing the scholarship each year?
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is renewable annually for the entire four-year duration of your undergraduate program. The primary condition for renewal is that you must maintain satisfactory academic standing at the University of Toronto.
Plan your study abroad
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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.