Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027: Apply by 6 November 2026

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is the University of Toronto’s flagship award for international students, and it is one of the largest scholarship programmes for international students in Canada. It funds four years of an undergraduate degree at U of T, and it can only be applied for through your school’s nomination.

For the 2027 intake the three key dates are 9 October 2026 for your school’s nomination, 16 October 2026 to apply for admission to U of T, and 6 November 2026 to complete the Pearson Scholarship application and submit all documents.

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027

What the Pearson Scholarship covers

The official page describes the Pearson Scholarship as a full four-year scholarship. It covers:

• Tuition.
• Books.
• Incidental fees.
• Full residence support.

The award is tenable only at the University of Toronto, and only for first-entry undergraduate programmes – that is, the first degree you take at university level. The programme states that approximately 37 students are named Pearson Scholars each year.

One practical point: on your application for admission you may apply to up to three areas of study, but if you win the Pearson Scholarship it is restricted to your top choice of programme at the time the scholarship decisions are made. Choose that first choice carefully.

Who is eligible for the Pearson Scholarship

To be eligible, the official eligibility list requires you to be:

• An international student – that is, a non-Canadian who requires a study permit.
• Enrolled in your final year of senior secondary school in 2026/2027, or to have graduated no earlier than June 2026.
• Beginning your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027.
• Nominated by your high school.

Students who are already attending post-secondary studies, or who are starting post-secondary studies in January 2027 at U of T or another institution, are not eligible for the Pearson International Scholarship. This is a scholarship for school-leavers entering university for the first time.

Indian students studying in a recognised higher secondary board – CBSE, ISC, a state board or an international board such as IB or Cambridge – are eligible if their school nominates them.

How the school nomination works

The Pearson Scholarship is a nomination-based award, so the first step does not happen on the U of T website at all. The official page explains the process:

• Ask your guidance counsellor, principal or head of school whether your school is eligible to nominate students for the Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship.
• Schools that have previously participated receive access to the nomination form from 6 July 2026.
• Schools that have not participated before can apply to join the programme by noon (EST) on 9 October 2026.
• High schools can nominate only one student per year, so the internal deadline at your school will usually be much earlier than 9 October 2026.
• Once your school nominates you, you receive a private link to the Pearson Scholarship application. You can complete that form only after you have submitted your application for admission to U of T.

Important dates for the 2027 Pearson Scholarship

6 July 2026	Previously participating schools get access to the nomination form
9 October 2026	Deadline for your school to nominate a student (new schools can apply to join by noon EST on this date)
16 October 2026	Deadline to apply for admission to the University of Toronto and be considered for the Pearson Scholarship
6 November 2026	Deadline to complete the Pearson Scholarship application and submit all required documentation
September 2027	Studies begin at the University of Toronto

The order matters: nomination first, then the U of T admission application, then the Pearson Scholarship form. You cannot submit the scholarship application before the admission application.

How to apply for the Pearson Scholarship step by step

1. Speak to your school counsellor early – the school can nominate only one student, and its own internal selection will close well before 9 October 2026.
2. If your school has never taken part in the programme, ask them to apply to join by noon EST on 9 October 2026.
3. Create your application for admission to the University of Toronto and apply to at least one undergraduate programme. You must begin your studies in September 2027.
4. Submit the admission application by 16 October 2026 – after that date you cannot be considered for the Pearson Scholarship.
5. Open the private link sent to you after your school nominates you.
6. Complete the Pearson International Scholarship application and upload all required documentation by 6 November 2026.

Points to remember before you apply

• The scholarship is for a first-entry undergraduate programme only, and it is tenable only at the University of Toronto.
• You must be nominated by your school – a direct application without a nomination is not possible.
• You must start your studies in September 2027; students beginning in January 2027 are not eligible.
• If you are awarded the scholarship, it applies to your top choice of programme on the admission application.
• The University of Toronto has issued a fraud alert about emails that offer to help students with Pearson Scholarship applications. Apply only through your school’s nomination and the official U of T links.

Official links

• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship – official page
• University of Toronto – Future Students
• University of Toronto – official website

Related reading: Study abroad scholarships
International scholarships
Class 12 scholarships

Related scholarship posts

• McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University
• Morehead-Cain Scholarship for undergraduate study
• University of Waikato scholarships