Canada Lester B Pearson Scholarships 2027 Open at University of Toronto for Everyone
The University of Toronto has announced the Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship 2027, putting one of Canada’s biggest undergraduate awards back on the global scholarship calendar for high-achieving international students.
This is not a token tuition discount. The Pearson Scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years, making it one of the most valuable undergraduate funding packages offered to international students in Canada. Around 37 students are selected each year, and competition is expected to be intense because the award targets students who are not only academically strong but also creative, visible in leadership, and capable of contributing to their communities.
For students planning to begin undergraduate studies in September 2027, this is the kind of opportunity that needs early action — because the first step does not begin with the student. It begins with the school.
A Full Scholarship for Students Who Bring More Than Grades
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is the University of Toronto’s most prestigious award for international students. It recognizes students with exceptional academic achievement, but the selection lens goes beyond marksheets.
The university is looking for students who show creativity, leadership potential, and a serious ability to contribute positively to the global community. That means the ideal applicant is not simply the student with high grades, but the student who has used talent, initiative, and responsibility to stand out in school or society.
For applicants, this distinction matters. Pearson is not designed for passive academic performers. It is designed for students who can show evidence of leadership, original thinking, service, problem-solving, or impact.
What the Pearson Scholarship Covers?
The funding package is the main reason this scholarship attracts global attention every year. Selected Pearson Scholars receive support for the major costs of undergraduate study at the University of Toronto.
The scholarship covers:
- Full tuition fees for four years
- Books
- Incidental fees
- Full residence support for four years
This makes the Pearson Scholarship especially powerful for international students because it directly addresses two of the biggest barriers to studying in Canada: tuition and accommodation.
The award is available only at the University of Toronto and applies to first-entry undergraduate programs. Students selected for the scholarship must begin their studies in September 2027.
Where the Scholarship Is Offered?
The Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship is offered by the University of Toronto in Canada.
The University of Toronto describes the Pearson Scholarship as one of the largest scholarship programs for international students in Canada. According to the program information, the scholarship supports around 37 scholars annually, has represented students from 188 countries, and recorded more than $12 million in funding in 2024.
Pearson Scholars are also supported through the Pearson Program Office, housed within the university’s Centre for International Experience, which provides enrichment and support programming during their studies.
Who Can Apply for the 2027 Pearson Scholarship?
The 2027 Pearson Scholarship is open to international students applying for undergraduate study at the University of Toronto.
To be eligible, applicants must be international students, meaning non-Canadian students who require a Canadian study permit. They must be enrolled in their final year of senior secondary school in 2026/2027, or must have graduated no earlier than June 2026.
Applicants must also be planning to begin their studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027.
Students are not eligible if they are already attending post-secondary studies. Students who begin post-secondary studies in January 2027 at the University of Toronto or another post-secondary institution are also not eligible for the Pearson International Scholarship.
The Most Important Condition: Your High School Must Nominate You
This is the rule that separates the Pearson Scholarship from many other international awards: students cannot simply apply on their own.
To become a Pearson Scholar, an applicant must first be nominated by their high school. Each high school can nominate only one student per year, so applicants should not treat this as a last-minute scholarship form.
Students should contact their guidance counsellor, principal, or head of school early and ask whether their school is eligible to nominate students for the Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship.
Schools that have participated before will receive access to the nomination form beginning July 6, 2026. Schools that have not yet participated can apply to join the program by noon EST on October 9, 2026.
Application Process for Lester B. Pearson Scholarship 2027
The application process has three linked stages, and applicants must complete them in the correct order.
First, the student must secure a nomination from their high school. Without school nomination, the student cannot move forward in the Pearson Scholarship process.
Second, the nominated student must apply for undergraduate admission to the University of Toronto. To remain eligible for the Pearson Scholarship, the applicant must apply to at least one undergraduate program at U of T and must plan to begin studies in September 2027.
Applicants may apply to up to three program areas on the U of T admission application. However, if the Pearson Scholarship is awarded, it will be restricted to the applicant’s top-choice program at the time scholarship decisions are made. This makes program ranking important.
Third, once the student is nominated and has submitted the U of T admission application, the student will receive a private link to complete the Pearson Scholarship application. The scholarship form and all required documents must be submitted before the final deadline.
Application Timeline for the 2027 Intake
The Pearson Scholarship timeline for the 2027 intake begins in July 2026 and closes in November 2026.
Participating schools will receive access to the nomination form from July 6, 2026. The deadline for schools to nominate a student is October 9, 2026. The deadline for students to apply for admission to the University of Toronto and remain eligible for Pearson Scholarship consideration is October 16, 2026.
The final deadline to complete the Lester B Pearson International Scholarship application and submit all required documentation is November 6, 2026.