Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program Selection Process 2026
How Candidates are Selected
Selection for the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is highly competitive. Candidates are chosen based on their outstanding academic achievement, creativity, and demonstrated leadership potential. Emphasis is placed on students who are identified as leaders within their schools and have the potential to contribute positively to the global community. The process begins with a nomination from the student's high school, with each school eligible to nominate only one student per year. Nominated students then complete a detailed scholarship application, showcasing their academic abilities, extracurricular engagement, and leadership qualities.
Verification Flow
Institute Nodal Officer Verification
Your college/school checks your bonafide status, fees paid, and marks cards against the database.
District Welfare Officer / State Board Sanction
The state/central department approves the budget release for verified records based on category quotas.
Fund Disbursement via DBT
The bank issues direct fund credits to Aadhaar-seeded accounts using treasury payment systems.
FAQs for Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program
Q.What does the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship cover?
The scholarship is fully funded, covering the full cost of tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for all four years of your undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto.
Q.Am I eligible to apply if I have already started post-secondary studies?
No, students who are already attending post-secondary studies or those who will begin post-secondary studies in January 2027 at the University of Toronto or any other institution are not eligible for the Pearson International Scholarship. You must be in your final year of secondary school or have graduated no earlier than June 2026 and be starting your first undergraduate degree in September 2027.
Q.Is a high school nomination mandatory for this scholarship?
Yes, a nomination from your high school is a mandatory first step. Your high school must nominate you for the scholarship, and each participating school can only nominate one student per year. Without a school nomination, your application will not be considered.
Q.When are the key deadlines for the 2026/2027 application cycle?
The important deadlines are: School nomination deadline is October 9, 2026. The University of Toronto (OUAC) admission application deadline is October 16, 2026. The deadline to complete and submit the Pearson International Scholarship application and all required documentation is November 6, 2026.