The largest national scholarships open to Canadian high school students in 2026 include the Loran Award (about $150,000 over 4 years) and the Schulich Leader (up to $120,000 for the Engineering stream). Below: four well-known awards, then the full list of 24 with eligibility, deadlines, and direct apply links.
Four well-known awards:
| Award | Total Value | Application Deadline | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schulich Leader | $120,000 (Engineering) / $100,000 (STEM) | School nomination Jan 27, 2027 / student application Feb 17, 2027 | Grade 12, STEM-bound, school-nominated |
| Loran Award | About $150,000 over 4 years | October 2026 (for September 2027 entry) | Final-year HS, 88% average minimum |
| Terry Fox Humanitarian | $28,000 over 4 years ($7,000/yr) | December 1 (annual) | Final-year HS, humanitarian volunteer record |
| Beyond Tomorrow (UBC only) | Up to $20,000 a year | December 1 (annual) | Black students (citizens, PRs or protected persons) entering a UBC degree, with financial need |
Below: full eligibility, application steps, and direct-apply links for all 24 awards.
Not sure which awards match your profile? Take the 2-minute Funding Type Quiz. It sorts you into one of 16 archetypes and shows you scholarships that may fit you. Free, no signup, results in about 2 minutes.
How We Selected These Scholarships
We evaluated the 500+ scholarships we track and selected these 24 based on:
- Available to high school students entering post-secondary education
- Open to students across Canada (or across multiple provinces)
- Significant financial value -- many worth $25,000 to about $150,000
- Verified and active for the 2026 or 2027 application cycle
- Variety of criteria -- academic merit, leadership, financial need, community service, and identity-based awards
The 24 Best Scholarships
1. Schulich Leader Scholarships
Amount: $100,000 (Science/Math/Technology) or $120,000 (Engineering) over 4 years Deadline: For 2027 entry, school nomination by January 27, 2027; student application by February 17, 2027. The 2026 cycle is closed. Eligibility: Canadian citizens entering a STEM program at one of 20 partner universities. Must be nominated by your high school. How to apply: Ask your school guidance counsellor to nominate you. Once nominated, complete the application at schulichleaders.com/apply. What makes it special: This is Canada's largest undergraduate STEM scholarship. 100 awards are given annually. Recipients are selected for academic excellence, leadership, and entrepreneurial mindset.
2. Loran Award
Amount: About $150,000 over 4 years (full tuition waiver at a partner university + $12,000 annual stipend + up to $14,000 for the summer program) Deadline: October 15, 2026 at noon ET (for September 2027 entry; the 2026 cycle is closed) Eligibility: Canadian citizens or permanent residents in their final year of high school (or CEGEP in Quebec) with a minimum cumulative average of 88% (CEGEP: an R score of 29 or higher). How to apply: Submit your application at apply.loranscholar.ca. Requires one referee to send a short recommendation before the deadline. What makes it special: Beyond the financial award, Loran Scholars join a lifelong community with mentorship, summer internships, and leadership development. The selection process includes in-person interviews.
3. Wolf Scholars Program (University of Toronto)
Amount: Full tuition + $10,000 annual living stipend + research and travel funding for 4 years (estimated value: $100,000-$120,000) Deadline: Check wolfscholars.com for annual dates Eligibility: Canadian high school seniors with curiosity and excellence across a broad range of fields. Not limited to any specific program. How to apply: Apply through the Wolf Scholars portal after receiving a U of T admissions offer. What makes it special: A full-ride scholarship at one of Canada's top universities. Recipients join an interdisciplinary community with international research opportunities.
4. University of Toronto National Scholarship Program
Amount: Full tuition, incidental fees, and residence fees for up to 4 years (approximately $100,000) Deadline: October 31, 2025 (for 2026 entry); check for 2027 cycle dates Eligibility: Canadian citizens or permanent residents entering their first undergraduate degree at U of T. Strong academic record and demonstrated leadership. How to apply: Complete the Awards Profile through the U of T admissions portal at future.utoronto.ca/national-scholarships. What makes it special: One of the most prestigious entrance scholarships in Canada. Includes the Arbor Award, Pearson Scholarship (for international students), and several named awards.
5. SFU Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarships (USES)
Amount: $20,000 to $140,000 over 4 years Deadline: October 1 to December 15 annually Eligibility: High school students admitted to Simon Fraser University with outstanding academic and leadership credentials. Open to Canadian and international students. How to apply: Apply through the SFU admissions portal at sfu.ca/students/financial-aid/entrance/highschool/uses. What makes it special: One of the most generous entrance scholarship programs in Western Canada, with a wide range of award values.
6. Western University National Scholarship Program
Amount: $30,000 to $80,000 over 4 years (varies by specific award within the program) Deadline: February 14 annually (the 2026 cycle is closed) Eligibility: Canadian citizens or permanent residents entering their first undergraduate degree at Western. Exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements. How to apply: Complete the National Scholarship application at registrar.uwo.ca. What makes it special: Includes multiple named awards (Neen Hodgins, President's Entrance, Faculty Entrance Scholarships) under one application. Applying once enters you for consideration for all of them.
7. University of Waterloo Schulich Leader Scholarship
Amount: $100,000 (Science/Math/Technology) or $120,000 (Engineering) over 4 years Deadline: School nomination required; varies by year Eligibility: Canadian citizens entering a STEM program at Waterloo. Must be nominated by your high school. How to apply: Through the Schulich Leaders program -- ask your guidance counsellor. Details at uwaterloo.ca. What makes it special: Waterloo is one of 20 Schulich Leader partner universities. Combined with Waterloo's co-op program, recipients can graduate with both scholarship funding and significant co-op earnings.
8. Queen's University Major Admission Awards
Amount: $30,000 to $120,000 over 4 years (varies by award) Deadline: December 8 annually. The December 8, 2025 round was for 2026 entry, so confirm the date for 2027 entry. Eligibility: High school students entering Queen's University with strong academics and leadership. Includes the Sobey Atlantic Award, Bank of Montreal Award, and others. How to apply: Complete the Major Admission Awards application through queensu.ca. What makes it special: Multiple awards under one umbrella application, ranging from need-based bursaries to merit scholarships.
9. Horatio Alger Canadian Scholarship
Amount: Up to $25,000 Deadline: January 1 to March 31 annually, for students in Grade 11 during that window. The 2026 window is closed. Eligibility: Full-time Grade 11 students in Canada. Family income must be under $80,000. Must demonstrate integrity, perseverance, and financial need. How to apply: Apply online at horatioalger.ca/scholarships. What makes it special: This scholarship is specifically designed for students who have overcome adversity. Financial need is a central criterion, not a disqualifier. Note: you apply in Grade 11 for funds received in your first year of university.
10. Terry Fox Humanitarian Award
Amount: $28,000 over 4 years ($7,000 per year) Deadline: December 1 annually (applications open November 1) Eligibility: Canadian citizens or permanent residents pursuing their first post-secondary degree or diploma. Must demonstrate outstanding volunteerism and community service in the spirit of Terry Fox. How to apply: Apply at terryfoxawards.ca. What makes it special: One of Canada's most respected humanitarian awards. Approximately 20 recipients are selected each year. Recognizes students who embody courage, compassion, and community service.
11. Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship (Canada)
Amount: $7,500 per year for up to 4 years ($30,000 total) Deadline: Varies by year (administered through Scholarship Partners Canada) Eligibility: Canadian high school students entering a computer science or engineering program. Demonstrated financial need and community leadership. How to apply: Apply through Scholarship Partners Canada. What makes it special: Includes an optional paid internship at Amazon in addition to the scholarship funding.
12. RBC Elevate Scholarship
Amount: Up to $15,000 each (40 awards annually) Deadline: The 2026 round ran February 2 to March 26, 2026 and is closed. Check RBC's page for the next round. Eligibility: Canadians aged 17-29 who are citizens or permanent residents, enrolled or accepted into an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution, and require financial assistance. How to apply: Apply at rbc.com/scholarships. What makes it special: Part of RBC's new $1.5 million annual scholarship suite. Designed specifically for students who need financial support to access post-secondary education.
13. University of Guelph Lincoln Alexander Chancellor's Scholarship
Amount: $42,500 ($8,250 per year over 4 years + $9,500 summer research stipend) Deadline: January 22, 2027 at 4:00 p.m. EST, for fall 2027 entry (the application opens by December 1, 2026) Eligibility: High school students entering the University of Guelph with exceptional academics, leadership, and community involvement. How to apply: Apply through the University of Guelph scholarships portal at uoguelph.ca/registrar. What makes it special: Named after Lincoln Alexander, Canada's first Black Member of Parliament and former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Includes a funded summer research experience.
14. University of Guelph President's Scholarship
Amount: $42,500 ($8,250 per year over 4 years + $9,500 summer research stipend) Deadline: January 22, 2027 at 4:00 p.m. EST, for fall 2027 entry (the application opens by December 1, 2026) Eligibility: High school students entering the University of Guelph. Must demonstrate academic excellence and meaningful engagement in school or community. How to apply: Apply through uoguelph.ca/president/scholarships. What makes it special: Equal in value to the Lincoln Alexander scholarship. The summer research stipend gives recipients hands-on research experience as early as first year.
15. Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) President's Entrance Scholarship
Amount: $40,000 (up to $10,000 per year, renewable for 4 years) Deadline: February 16, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET, for fall 2027 entry (via AwardSpring, open from November 2, 2026) Eligibility: High school students entering TMU with outstanding academic achievement. Canadian citizens or permanent residents. How to apply: Apply through torontomu.ca/admissions/scholarships-awards. What makes it special: One of the most valuable entrance awards at TMU. The renewable structure rewards continued academic performance.
16. York University President's Scholarships
Amount: $33,600 ($8,400 per year for 4 years) Deadline: Automatic consideration upon admission Eligibility: High school students admitted to York University with a high admission average (typically 90%+). Canadian citizens and permanent residents. How to apply: No separate application -- you are automatically considered when you apply to York at futurestudents.yorku.ca. What makes it special: One of the few major entrance scholarships that requires no separate application. Your admission application is your scholarship application.
17. Bennett Family Award for Black and Indigenous Students (York University)
Amount: $30,000 ($7,500 per year for 4 years) Deadline: April 1 (via MyFile, which opens December 1). The April 1, 2026 round is closed; check York's page to confirm the 2027 date. Eligibility: Black or Indigenous high school students entering York University. Must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need. How to apply: Apply through MyFile at futurestudents.yorku.ca. What makes it special: An identity-based award that combines merit and need criteria. Designed to increase representation and support students from underrepresented communities.
18. University of New Brunswick Entrance Scholarships
Amount: $500 to $100,000 (varies widely by specific award) Deadline: March 1 Eligibility: High school students entering UNB. Various awards for different criteria -- academic merit, leadership, community involvement, and financial need. How to apply: Apply through unb.ca/moneymatters/scholarships. What makes it special: One of the broadest entrance scholarship programs in Atlantic Canada. Includes the Currie Undergraduate Scholarship ($75,000) and the Beaverbrook Scholars Award ($58,000) for students from the Atlantic provinces.
19. Horatio Alger Canadian Scholarship (Entrepreneurial)
Amount: $10,000 to $25,000 Deadline: Check horatioalger.ca for the entrepreneurial stream dates Eligibility: Students who have started a business, social enterprise, or entrepreneurial project while in high school. Financial need required. How to apply: Through the Horatio Alger Canada portal. What makes it special: One of the few Canadian scholarships that specifically rewards high school entrepreneurship alongside financial need.
20. University of Guelph Registrar's Entrance Bursaries
Amount: $500 to $50,000 Deadline: Entrance Financial Need Assessment Form due April 15. The April 15, 2026 date has passed; check Guelph's page for fall 2027 entry. Eligibility: High school students entering the University of Guelph who demonstrate financial need. Canadian citizens and permanent residents. How to apply: Complete the Financial Need Assessment at uoguelph.ca/registrar/studentfinance/bursaries. What makes it special: Unlike many entrance awards, this is purely need-based. You do not need a 95% average -- you need to demonstrate genuine financial barriers to attending university.
21. RBC Ignite Scholarship
Amount: Up to $1,500 (500 awards given annually) Deadline: The second 2026 cycle runs June 23 to October 1, 2026. It may close early if all the money is awarded before then. Eligibility: Youth aged 16-20 who need funding for skills training and certification. Canadian citizens or permanent residents. How to apply: Apply at rbc.com/scholarships. What makes it special: This is not for tuition -- it funds specific skills training and certification. Ideal for students who want to earn an industry certification (IT, trades, etc.) alongside or before post-secondary studies.
22. Dalhousie University General Entrance Awards
Amount: $550 to $80,000 over four years (varies by specific award) Deadline: February 15 annually at 11:59 PM AT. The 2026 round for 2026-2027 entry is closed. Eligibility: High school students entering Dalhousie University. Various criteria including academic merit, leadership, and financial need. How to apply: Apply through the Dalhousie awards portal at dal.ca/admissions. What makes it special: Includes the Schulich Leader Scholarship at Dal, plus dozens of other named awards. One of the strongest scholarship programs in Atlantic Canada.
23. Yorke Towne Supplies Ltd. Visionary Leadership Scholarship (York University)
Amount: $38,000 ($9,500 per year for 4 years) Deadline: April 1 (via MyFile, which opens December 1). The April 1, 2026 round is closed; check York's page to confirm the 2027 date. Eligibility: High school students entering York University who demonstrate visionary leadership and community engagement. How to apply: Apply through MyFile at futurestudents.yorku.ca. What makes it special: A substantial four-year award that values leadership vision over pure academic metrics.
24. SFU High School Entrance Scholarships
Amount: $2,000 to $60,000 Deadline: Rolling basis (with admission application) Eligibility: High school students admitted to Simon Fraser University. Based on academic achievement and, for larger awards, leadership and community involvement. How to apply: Apply through the SFU admissions portal at sfu.ca/students/financial-aid/entrance. What makes it special: Rolling admissions means early applicants may have an advantage. The range from $2,000 to $60,000 means students at many academic levels can receive something.
How to Win More Scholarships: A Strategy Guide
Finding scholarships is the first step. Winning them requires strategy.
Start Early -- Grade 10 Is Not Too Early
Many of the biggest scholarships (Schulich Leader, Loran Award) require years of documented leadership, volunteerism, and achievement. If you start building your record in Grade 10, you will have more to show by Grade 12.
Apply to Everything You Qualify For
Do not rule yourself out. You do not need a 99% average to win a scholarship. Many awards prioritize leadership, community service, financial need, or specific backgrounds. If you meet the eligibility criteria, apply.
Tailor Every Application
Do not copy-paste the same essay for every scholarship. Each award has different values and priorities. The Loran Award wants to see character and service. The Schulich Leader wants entrepreneurial thinking and STEM excellence. Read what each one asks for and speak directly to those criteria.
Get Strong References Early
Many scholarships require reference letters. Ask your teachers, coaches, or community leaders early -- at least 4 to 6 weeks before the deadline. Give them a summary of the scholarship, your resume, and a few specific accomplishments you would like them to highlight.
Track Deadlines Religiously
Create a spreadsheet or use our scholarship search tool to track every deadline. Missing a deadline by one day means losing the opportunity entirely, no exceptions.
Do Not Ignore Small Scholarships
A $1,000 scholarship that takes one hour to apply for is $1,000 per hour -- a better return than almost any part-time job. Do not skip smaller awards to chase only the marquee scholarships. Apply for both.
What About Province-Specific Scholarships?
The 24 scholarships above are national or multi-province awards. But some of the best funding is province-specific:
- Ontario: Check our Ontario student funding guide for province-specific awards and OSAP details
- British Columbia: See our BC student funding guide
- Alberta: See our Alberta student funding guide
- Atlantic Canada: See our Atlantic Canada student funding guide
- Quebec: See our Quebec student funding guide
- Saskatchewan: See our Saskatchewan student funding guide
- Manitoba: See our Manitoba student funding guide
Quick Reference: Deadlines at a Glance
| Scholarship | Deadline | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Schulich Leader Scholarships | Nomination: Jan 27, 2027; Application: Feb 17, 2027 | $100,000-$120,000 |
| Loran Award | October 15, 2026 (for 2027 entry) | About $150,000 |
| Wolf Scholars Program (U of T) | Check website | ~$100,000-$120,000 |
| U of T National Scholarship Program | October 31 | ~$100,000 |
| SFU USES | Oct 1 - Dec 15 | $20,000-$140,000 |
| Western National Scholarship | February 14 | $30,000-$80,000 |
| Queen's Major Admission Awards | December 8 | $30,000-$120,000 |
| Horatio Alger Canadian | Jan 1 - Mar 31 (Grade 11) | Up to $25,000 |
| Terry Fox Humanitarian Award | December 1 | $28,000 |
| Amazon Future Engineer | Varies | $30,000 |
| RBC Elevate Scholarship | 2026 round: Feb 2 - Mar 26 (closed) | Up to $15,000 each |
| UNB Entrance Scholarships | March 1 | $500-$100,000 |
| Dalhousie Entrance Awards | February 15 | $550-$80,000 |
| SFU High School Entrance | Rolling | $2,000-$60,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do top Canadian high school scholarships pay?
The largest national scholarships open to Canadian high school students include the Loran Award (about $150,000 over 4 years) and the Schulich Leader (up to $120,000 for the Engineering stream). The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award pays up to $28,000 over 4 years. At UBC, the Beyond Tomorrow Scholar Award pays up to $20,000 a year to Black Canadian students entering an undergraduate degree who show financial need.
Do I need a 95% average to win major Canadian scholarships?
No. Most top Canadian scholarships do not require a 95% average. The Loran Award asks for a minimum 88% average and emphasizes character, service, and leadership in selection. The Schulich Leader looks for entrepreneurial mindset and STEM excellence. Read each award's selection criteria and apply where your strengths fit, not just where your grades fit.
When do high school scholarships in Canada open for application?
Most major Canadian high school scholarships open in fall and close between October and February for the following academic year. Terry Fox Humanitarian opens November 1 and closes December 1. For 2027 entry, the Schulich Leader school nomination deadline is January 27, 2027 and the student application deadline is February 17, 2027. Loran opens in late summer for an October deadline.
Can I apply to multiple Canadian scholarships at once?
Yes. Applying to many awards gives you more chances. Each award has its own selection criteria, so the same student often qualifies for academic, leadership, identity-based, and need-based awards in parallel. A master document with reusable essay paragraphs can save you time.
Do I need a school nomination for Schulich Leader, or can I apply directly?
Schulich Leader requires school nomination. Ask your high school guidance counsellor early: for 2027 entry, the school nomination deadline is January 27, 2027. Each Canadian high school can nominate one graduating student a year (two if the school had a 2026 Schulich Leader), and each CEGEP can nominate four. Once nominated, you complete the formal application by February 17, 2027. There is no direct-to-student route. The school nomination is mandatory.
Next Steps
- Search our full database at FundMyCourse.ca/scholarships -- we track 500+ scholarships across Canada
- Take the onboarding quiz at FundMyCourse.ca/onboarding to get matched with awards that fit your profile
- Take our 2-minute quiz at FundMyCourse.ca/quiz to see which scholarships may fit you
- Read our OSAP guide at How to Apply for OSAP in 2026 to maximize your government aid
- Do not wait. The biggest scholarships have fall and winter deadlines. Start your applications today.
Every dollar you win in scholarships is a dollar you do not borrow. With OSAP's grant cap now at 25%, free scholarship money is more valuable than ever.
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