The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is the university’s most prestigious award for international students. It recognizes outstanding academic achievement, creativity and leadership potential.
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships is one of the largest scholarship programs for international students in Canada.
Benefits
- The Pearson International Student Scholarships cover tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years.
- The scholarship is tenable only at the University of Toronto for first-entry, undergraduate programs.
Requirements
To be eligible to apply to the Pearson International Scholarship, you must be:
- an international student (i.e. a non-Canadian requiring a study permit);
- enrolled in your final year of senior secondary school in 2026/2027 or have graduated no earlier than June 2026; and
- beginning your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027.
Students who are already attending post-secondary studies or students who are starting their post-secondary studies in January 2027 at U of T or another post-secondary institution are not eligible for the Pearson International Scholarship.
Selection Process
Important dates and deadlines
- School nomination deadline: October 9, 2026
- Student OUAC admission application deadline: October 16, 2026
- Student scholarship application deadline and documentation submission deadline: November 6, 2026
Method of Application
To become a Pearson Scholar, you need to be nominated by your school and apply to undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. Follow these steps to get started.
- BEFORE YOU APPLY
- Confirm your eligibilityTo be eligible to apply to the Pearson International Scholarship, you must be:
- an international student (i.e. a non-Canadian requiring a study permit);
- enrolled in your final year of senior secondary school in 2026/2027 or have graduated no earlier than June 2026; and
- beginning your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027.
Students who are already attending post-secondary studies or students who are starting their post-secondary studies in January 2027 at U of T or another post-secondary institution are not eligible for the Pearson International Scholarship.
- JUL – OCT
- Your high school nominates youAsk your guidance counsellor, principal or head of school if your school is eligible to nominate students for the Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship.Schools that have previously participated will receive access to the nomination form beginning July 6, 2026. The deadline to nominate a student is October 9, 2026.If your school has not yet participated, they can apply to join the program by noon (EST) October 9th 2026.
- Sep – Oct
- Apply to study at U of TTo be considered for the Pearson Scholarship, you must apply to at least one undergraduate program at the University of Toronto. You must begin your studies in September 2027. The deadline to apply for admission to U of T and be considered for the Pearson Scholarship is October 16, 2026.Please note: You may apply to up to three areas on your application for admission; however, the Pearson Scholarship, if awarded to you, would be restricted to your top choice of program at the time our scholarship decisions are made.
- Oct – Nov
- Submit your Pearson Scholarship ApplicationYou will receive a private link to the Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship application when you have been nominated by your school. You will be able to complete this form after you have submitted your application for admission to U of T.The deadline to complete the Pearson International Scholarship application and submit all required documentation is November 6, 2026.
For questions about applying to the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, please visit our Pearson Scholarship Inquiry Form.
For more Information,
Application Deadline: November 6, 2026.