About the Lester B. Pearson Scholarships:
The University of Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson Scholarships offer exceptional international students a unique opportunity to attend one of the world’s top institutions while residing in one of the most diverse cities globally. This scholarship program aims to recognize students who excel academically, demonstrate exceptional creativity, and are considered leaders in their schools. Specific consideration is given to the student’s impact on their school and community, as well as their potential to make a positive contribution to the global community in the future.
These scholarships, awarded annually, honor deserving students from around the world, including those from other countries enrolled in high schools in Canada. It is the most prestigious and competitive scholarship available to international students at the University of Toronto. The scholarship is exclusively applicable to first-year undergraduate programs at the University of Toronto, with approximately 37 Lester B. Pearson Scholars chosen each year.
About the University of Toronto:
The University of Toronto (UToronto or U of T) is a public research university located on the Queen’s Park grounds in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was initially established as King’s College by royal license in 1827, making it the first college in Upper Canada. The university adopted its current name in 1850 after becoming a secular institution and severing its ties with the Church of England.
The University of Toronto comprises 11 colleges, each with a significant degree of autonomy in institutional, financial, and historical matters. The university maintains three campuses, with the oldest, St. George, located in the heart of Toronto. The other two satellite campuses are situated in Scarborough and Mississauga.
Benefits of Lester B. Pearson Scholarships:
The Lester B. Pearson Scholarships program aims to recognize students who excel academically and creatively and are considered leaders in their schools. Recipients of this scholarship will receive comprehensive financial support, including:
- Tuition fees
- Books
- Incidentals
- Full housing support for four years
Eligibility for Lester B. Pearson Scholarships:
To be eligible to apply for a Lester B. Pearson Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be an international student (i.e., a non-Canadian requiring study permission).
- Be a senior in high school or expected to graduate no earlier than June 2023.
- Commence your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2024 (students enrolled in post-secondary programs are not eligible, and those beginning their studies at another post-secondary institution in January 2024 are also ineligible).
Application Deadlines for Lester B. Pearson Scholarships:
- Deadline for school nominations: November 30, 2023.
- Deadline for student OUAC admission applications: December 15, 2023. (Please note that this is the final day to apply to the OUAC; while you may apply until December 15, 2023, it is recommended to do so as early as possible. November 7, 2023, is the suggested deadline for admission applications, as popular programs may close early and fill up quickly).
- Deadline for student scholarship applications: January 15, 2024.
Application Procedure for Lester B. Pearson Scholarships:
- Start of the 2024 Competition: The competition for the Lester B. Pearson Scholarships begins in September 2023. To apply, you must:
- Have your school nominate you for the scholarship. High schools that have not been contacted or verified should apply to participate in the program, available here.
- Apply to study at the University of Toronto here for admission in September 2024. Ensure that you submit your admissions application by the relevant deadlines. Please note that you will be considered for the Pearson Scholarship based on your first choice of program at the University of Toronto. If awarded the Pearson Scholarship, it will be restricted to your first-choice program at U of T when the scholarship decisions are announced. You may apply to multiple programs and be admitted to all of them.
- Submit the online Lester B. Pearson Scholarship application: Once your school has successfully nominated you for the scholarship and you have submitted an application to the university, you will receive a confidential link to the scholarship application.
- Contact Information: For any questions or inquiries about the scholarship, you can contact [email protected].
Application Deadline:
The application deadline for the Lester B. Pearson Scholarships is January 15, 2024.
For more information and to apply, please visit the official scholarship page.