Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship at the University of Toronto is one of Canada’s most prestigious scholarship opportunities for international undergraduate students. The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, creativity and leadership potential.
For students planning to begin undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027, the scholarship provides substantial financial support throughout their degree.
Lester B. Pearson Scholarship 2027 Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship |
| University | University of Toronto |
| Country | Canada |
| Study Level | Undergraduate |
| Target Group | International students |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Scholarship Coverage | Tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support |
| Scholars Selected | Approximately 37 annually |
| Study Start | September 2027 |
| School Nomination Deadline | October 9, 2026 |
| U of T Admission Deadline | October 16, 2026 |
| Scholarship Application Deadline | November 6, 2026 |
What Is the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship?
The Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship is awarded by the University of Toronto to exceptional international students entering first-entry undergraduate programmes.
The university describes Pearson Scholars as students who demonstrate:
- Exceptional academic achievement
- Creativity
- Leadership potential
- Potential to contribute positively to the global community
The scholarship is highly competitive, with approximately 37 students selected each year.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The Lester B. Pearson Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for four years.
The award covers:
- Tuition
- Books
- Incidental fees
- Full residence support
The scholarship is tenable only at the University of Toronto and applies to first-entry undergraduate programmes.
Who Can Apply?
According to the University of Toronto, applicants must meet the following requirements.
You must:
- Be an international student, meaning a non-Canadian student who requires a study permit.
- Be enrolled in your final year of senior secondary school during 2026/2027, or have graduated no earlier than June 2026.
- Be beginning your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027.
Students who are already attending post-secondary studies are not eligible.
Students beginning post-secondary studies in January 2027 at the University of Toronto or another post-secondary institution are also not eligible.
How the Pearson Scholarship Application Works
The application process involves three major stages.
1. Your High School Must Nominate You
You cannot independently nominate yourself for the Pearson Scholarship.
Your high school must nominate you through the University of Toronto’s nomination process.
The university states that high schools can nominate only one student per year.
If your school has previously participated in the programme, it will receive access to the nomination form beginning July 6, 2026.
The school nomination deadline is:
October 9, 2026
If your school has never participated, it can apply to join the programme by noon EST on October 9, 2026.
2. Apply to the University of Toronto
After working with your school regarding nomination, you must apply to at least one undergraduate programme at the University of Toronto.
You must plan to begin your studies in September 2027.
The deadline to apply for admission to the University of Toronto and be considered for the Pearson Scholarship is:
October 16, 2026
Applicants can apply to up to three areas on their admission application. However, if awarded the Pearson Scholarship, the scholarship will be restricted to the applicant’s top-choice programme at the time scholarship decisions are made.
3. Complete the Pearson Scholarship Application
Once your school nominates you, you will receive a private link to the Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship application.
You can complete the scholarship application after submitting your University of Toronto admission application.
The final deadline for the scholarship application and required documentation is:
November 6, 2026
Important Pearson Scholarship Deadlines
Keep these dates in mind if you are applying for the 2027 intake:
October 9, 2026 — High school nomination deadline
October 16, 2026 — University of Toronto admission application deadline
November 6, 2026 — Pearson Scholarship application and documentation deadline
Missing any of these deadlines can prevent an applicant from being considered.
How Competitive Is the Scholarship?
The Lester B. Pearson Scholarship is highly competitive.
The University of Toronto reports that approximately 37 scholars are selected annually. The programme has also attracted students from countries around the world, with the university reporting 188 countries represented and more than $12 million in funding in 2024.
Because only a limited number of students receive the award, applicants should demonstrate more than strong grades. The university specifically highlights academic achievement, creativity and leadership potential.
What Makes a Strong Pearson Candidate?
Based on the university’s description of the scholarship, a competitive applicant should be able to demonstrate:
Strong Academic Achievement
Your academic record should demonstrate that you can succeed in a demanding undergraduate programme.
Leadership
The scholarship looks for students with leadership potential and a demonstrated ability to contribute positively to their communities.
Creativity
The university specifically identifies creativity as one of the qualities associated with Pearson Scholars.
Community Impact
Applicants should be able to demonstrate their potential to contribute positively to the global community.
Can Your School Nominate More Than One Student?
No.
According to the University of Toronto, high schools can only nominate one student per year for the Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship.
This makes it important to speak with your guidance counsellor, principal or head of school early in the process.
Important Fraud Warning
The University of Toronto has warned prospective applicants about fraudulent emails and individuals claiming to help students obtain the Pearson Scholarship.
The university states that the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship programme does not work with agencies or educational agents to recruit students or offer scholarships.
Students should be cautious about anyone:
- Promising a scholarship for a fee
- Offering a guaranteed acceptance
- Claiming to represent the Pearson Scholarship programme without authorization
- Requesting money to secure a nomination
Pearson Scholarship recipients can only be nominated by their current secondary school through the university’s official online process.
How to Apply
Start by speaking to your school guidance counsellor, principal or head of school about the Pearson Scholarship nomination process.
You should then:
- Confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Ask whether your school is eligible to participate.
- Work with your school on the nomination.
- Apply to an eligible undergraduate programme at the University of Toronto.
- Complete the Pearson Scholarship application using the private link provided after nomination.
- Submit all required documentation before the relevant deadline.
Official Scholarship Information
University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarships
Final Thoughts
The Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship 2027 in Canada offers an exceptional opportunity for international students seeking an undergraduate education at the University of Toronto.
The scholarship provides four years of support covering tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support, making it one of the most substantial undergraduate scholarship opportunities available to international students at the university.
However, applicants should remember that the process begins with their high school nomination. With the nomination deadline set for October 9, 2026, students interested in starting at the University of Toronto in September 2027 should begin speaking with their schools early.
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