Top Scholarships for Nursing Students in Canada 2025 are available on this page for you to choose and apply for any of them. All scholarships we have researched are fully funded.
Nursing is one of the most in demand and required profession worldwide. Nursing students are highly sought after and loved in Canada. Scholarship is one of the best ways to help your nursing education in Canada and the good thing about it is, most of them are full tuition.
These scholarships pay for tuition fees, books, board and even travel expenses. As a local student or international student planning to study nursing in Canada, this guide will take you through the best fully funded scholarships for nursing students in Canada and how to apply.
Why Scholarships Are Important for Nursing Students
Many of the nursing programs in Canada are expensive, especially to international students. More scholarships can ease the burden and allow the students to worry less about working extra hours to pay the fees. Fully funded scholarships are even better, as they don’t just help but take care of almost everything.
Getting a scholarship will also boost your CV and show that you are a diligent and serious learner. This can help you to get employed easily upon graduation.
Top Fully Funded Scholarships for Nursing Students in Canada 2025
Here are among the best options for you. The scholarships are open to international and local students based on the programs.
1. Canadian Nurses Foundation scholarships
The Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF) gives scholarships every year to eligible nursing students of all levels of nursing education wether in the diploma, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral levels..
- Benefits: Entire tuition paid for, books and laccomodation taken care of
- Candidate qualifications: Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents studying nursing in Canada
- Level: Undergraduate, Diploma, Masters and PhD
- Deadline: March usually every year
How to Apply: Access the second floor online portal through cnf-fiic.ca and apply Purchasing: Once payment has been verified, they will notify you that the app can be purchased.
This is a reputable and one of the most popular in Canada. This is one of the first places to apply if you are a serious nursing student in Canada.
2. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship University of Toronto
Not a discipline-specific scholarship but fully funded to international students which can be used in nursing programs at University of Toronto.
- Coverage: Books, tuition, full residence fees four years, Incidental fees
- Qualification: International students of excellent academic and leadership potential
- Level: Baccalaureate nursing program
- Deadline: November deadline to nominate school; January deadline to apply as a student
How to Apply: Eligibility: must be nominated by your school, and apply to U of T
This is one of the best options if you are an international student who wants to fund an education in nursing in Canada with a scholarship.
3. McMaster University -Faculty of Health Sciences Awards
McMaster has a good reputation of the nursing program. They also offer various awards and scholarships to the bright students in their health sciences and nurturing courses.
- Coverage: 100 percent up to tuition and living expenses
- Eligibility: Both domestic and international students accepted in a health sciences program
- Undergraduate, Graduate
- Deadline: Varies
Application Procedure: online using the McMaster financial aid or awards portal following admission
It’s a good option not only for Canadian students but also for international students and those who have interest in one of the top nursing schools in Canada.
4. University of Calgary
A Canadian scholarship for graduate-level nursing students who conduct research. One of the most competitive and reputable.
- Coverage: 50,000 dollars per annum, 3 years
- PHD: Eligibility (PhD: including research in nursing)
- Doctorate (PhD)
- Deadline: It depends on university
How to Apply: Submit an application to the Canadian University where a PhD program is available
This scholarship is for you if you want to go deep in nursing research and become a health care leader.
5. International Entrance Scholarship
This is another good option for international students who want to study nursing in Canada.
- Coverage: 20 000 (renewable)
- Eligibility: Students who are International, first year in any degree and including nursing
- Level: Undergraduate
- Application Closing date: December to March (depends on program)
Application process: Apply and complete the scholarship forms
Please take note: This scholarship is not fully sponsored but partially, which means they don’t take care of everything but he important ones only. For this scholarship, if you don’t get it this year, you can reapply every 4 years. All you need to do is to maintain good grades to qualify.
6. Vanier CGS Scholarship
This is the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships for graduate level nursing students who do research. One of the most competitive and prestigious.
- Coverage: 50,000 dollars per annum, 3 years
- PhD: Eligibility (PhD: including research in nursing)
- Doctorate (PhD)
- Deadline: University dependent
How to Apply: Apply to the Canadian University where PhD program is available
This is for you if you want to go deep in nursing research and become a health care leader.
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship
It’s not just grades that matter to get a scholarship. A lot of other things count. Here are some tips to stand out:
1. Apply Early
Don’t leave it to the very last minute. Apply early so you have time to correct errors or upload those documents that are missing.
2. Write a good Personal Statement
Here you get to narrate your personal story. What is your reason of becoming a nurse? What have been your struggles? What are you special? Do it sincerely and with passion.
3. Write Good Recommendation Letters
Teachers, professors or employers (who know you well) should write for you. Inform them of the scholarship rules.
4. Have Good Grades
You can fight this by maintaining your grades. This will reduce the stress. The reason behind this is that it will be less hassle to get your degree. A degree is a big achievement that will help you in life.
Even most scholarships will deduct that you have good academic results. Work hard and be focused.
5. Apply to Multiple Scholarships
It’s not enough to apply to one. Send applications to as many as you can. This increases your chances of getting one.
Are Nursing Scholarships in Canada open to International Students?
Yes! Some Canadian universities also accept international students in the nursing department and most of the above mentioned scholarships are open to non-Canadians. However, always read the eligibility section. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to some of them; some are open to all.
What happens when you win a scholarship?
Once you win the scholarship, the money goes through your school to pay tuition. The rest can be given to you to buy books, living expenses or transportation. You will also get an awards letter which is great to put in CV and LinkedIn profile.
Is it Worth Studying Nursing in Canada?
Yes! Canada has one of the best health services in the world. Nursing students are well qualified and well liked. Once you finish your studies you can work in Canada or get PR.
Besides, Canadian nursing certificates and degrees are accepted in many countries and that means you can work anywhere in the world.
Do Canada offer diploma nursing scholarships?
A: Yes, you as a diploma nursing student can find scholarships in Canada. Many colleges and nursing schools offer financial aid, entrance awards and scholarships based on academic achievements, positions or need of financing.
Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF) is also awesome to check. They offer various scholarships to nursing student at any level even diploma level.
There is also a chance that some provinces and local health entities may offer bursaries that would support students who want to work in the field of healthcare after graduation. Just refer to your local organization and school and ask them directly what options are available.
Can I work during my nursing studies in Canada?
A: YES, international nursing students in Canada can work part-time during school sessions (not more than 20 hours a week) and full-time during school breaks winter and summer.
This helps students to earn some extra money and Canadian work experience which can be valuable when they apply for work or even when they apply to immigrate. Just make sure you manage your time since sometimes nursing programs can be very demanding.
Are nursing scholarships in Canada competitive?
A: Yes. Some scholarships are very competitive like Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Smaller scholarships exist however and fewer people apply because there are many of them; so your chances are higher. Enter every time you wouldn’t know what you could win!
Conclusion
There are many scholarships that can help you study nursing in Canada without spending too much. You may already be living in Canada or you may be planning to travel to Canada to study, but some of the scholarships can cover your school fees and living costs.
That means you can focus on your studies not thinking about money.Start searching scholarships based on the level you are studying on, diploma, undergraduate, masters or doctoral.
Then prepare your documents and apply early. With some hardwork and planning you can study nursing in Canada for free and move closer to your dream of becoming a nurse.
Other International Scholarships:
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