Every year, thousands of international students dream about studying in Canada — but most give up before they even start, assuming they can’t afford it. Here’s the truth: the University of Guelph is giving international students up to $42,500 CAD in scholarships, and in most cases, no separate scholarship application is required. If you’re aiming for a world-class Canadian university that genuinely invests in its global students, this guide covers everything you need to know — from scholarship amounts and eligibility to co-op earnings and how one international student earned over $120,000 CAD during his time at U of G.
🎓 Quick Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
| University | University of Guelph |
| Country | Canada 🇨🇦 |
| Degree Level | Undergraduate |
| Funding Type | Merit-based Entrance Scholarships + Bursaries |
| Top Award Value | Up to $42,500 CAD |
| Application Deadline | March 1, 2027 (document deadline) |
| Application Required? | No — most awards are automatic |
| Open To | International fee-paying students worldwide |
| Official Link | uoguelph.ca/admission/undergraduate/international/funding |
🎓 About the University of Guelph
The University of Guelph (U of G) is one of Canada’s most respected research universities, located in Guelph, Ontario — a vibrant city just one hour from Toronto. Founded in 1964, U of G is consistently ranked among Canada’s top comprehensive universities and is particularly celebrated for its programs in agriculture, biological sciences, engineering, business, and veterinary medicine.
What makes U of G stand out globally is its commitment to making world-class education accessible. The university has built a robust financial aid ecosystem specifically for international students — covering entrance scholarships, in-course awards, bursaries, and even paid work opportunities on campus. Whether you’re coming from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, or Latin America, Guelph is genuinely invested in helping you succeed financially.
The university currently enrolls students from over 100 countries, and its international community is one of the most vibrant in the country.
🎓 Scholarship Benefits — How Much Can You Actually Get?
This is where it gets exciting. U of G offers multiple layers of financial support for international students — and many of them stack together.
President’s International Entrance Scholarship (One-Time, Year 1)
Awarded automatically based on your admission average:
| Admission Average | Award Amount (Fall 2027) |
| 95.0% and above | $7,500 CAD |
| 90.0% – 94.9% | $6,500 CAD |
| 85.0% – 89.9% | $5,500 CAD |
| 70.0% – 84.9% | $2,000 CAD |
University International Scholarship (Renewable — Up to $20,000 CAD)
- Year 1: $5,000 CAD
- Years 2, 3 & 4: $5,000 CAD/year (if renewed)
- Total Over 4 Years: $20,000 CAD
- Renewal requires maintaining an 80% minimum average
Dean’s International Scholarship (Renewable — Up to $10,000 CAD)
- Year 1: $2,500 CAD
- Years 2, 3 & 4: $2,500 CAD/year
- Total Over 4 Years: $10,000 CAD
Dr. Franco J. Vaccarino President’s Scholarship — $42,500 CAD
The crown jewel of Guelph’s international awards. This prestigious scholarship recognizes academic excellence plus community leadership. It also includes guaranteed on-campus residence and first-choice room preference in first year. Application deadline: January 23, 2027.
Other Scholarships Available:
- 🏅 International Transfer Scholarship: $10,000 CAD (one-time, for transfer students)
- 🏅 CSAHS Dean’s International Scholarship: $10,000 CAD over 4 years
- 🏅 College of Arts Dean’s International Scholarship: $10,000 CAD over 4 years
- 🏅 Lang Dean’s International Online Scholarship (Sport & Event Management): $15,000 CAD over 4 years
- 🏅 Quinn Memorial Scholarship: $2,000 CAD
- 🏅 Hardy International Student Scholarship: $2,000 CAD (preference: Haiti, Africa)
- 🏅 Fatemeh Haghighi International Scholarship: $1,000 CAD
- 🏅 OAC 1973 International Entrance Scholarship: $1,000 CAD
The good news? Most of these scholarships require zero separate application. You’re automatically considered when your admission file is complete.
🎓 Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance
Before we go further, it’s important to be transparent about tuition at U of G. Here’s the full cost picture for 2025–26:
| Fee Type | Estimated Cost (CAD) |
| Full-time Tuition (most programs) | $44,729 – $63,160 |
| Compulsory Fees | $1,768 – $1,930 |
| Textbooks | $1,400 |
| Health Insurance (UHIP) | $756 |
| Residence Room | $7,900 – $11,116 |
| Meal Plan | $5,500 – $7,600 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,500 |
| Total Estimated Annual Cost | $64,589 – $88,498 CAD |
That’s significant — but this is also where the scholarships, co-op earnings, and work opportunities come in to offset the cost substantially. U of G also guarantees that tuition increases will not exceed 5% per year after your first year, which gives you financial predictability throughout your degree.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Most entrance scholarships at the University of Guelph have straightforward eligibility requirements:
- ✅ Must be an international fee-paying student (non-Canadian, non-permanent resident)
- ✅ Applying to enter first semester in Fall 2027
- ✅ Must have a complete admission file by March 1, 2027
- ✅ Academic average assessed from your secondary school curriculum
- ✅ For renewable scholarships: maintain a minimum 80% average per year
- ✅ Must remain enrolled full-time
- ✅ English proficiency required — IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent (verify on official website for program-specific exemptions)
- ✅ Transfer students: eligible for the $10,000 International Transfer Scholarship with no separate application
Special note: Indigenous students from the United States who self-identify as Indigenous on their application may qualify to pay domestic tuition rates rather than international fees — a significant financial relief. A tribal enrollment or registration card is required.
🎓 Who Should Apply (And Who Should Not)
✅ Apply if you:
- Have strong secondary school grades (especially 85%+ for higher award tiers)
- Are applying to an undergraduate program at U of G for Fall 2027
- Want a Canadian degree in science, agriculture, engineering, business, computing, or arts
- Are interested in co-op work experience to offset tuition costs
- Come from Africa or Haiti and want preference consideration (Hardy Scholarship)
❌ Don’t apply if you:
- Are applying for graduate (Master’s or PhD) programs — this funding page is for undergraduates only
- Are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (separate funding applies)
- Cannot commit to full-time studies each year
- Are unable to gather your complete admission documents by March 1, 2027
🎓 Available Programs
The University of Guelph offers a wide range of undergraduate programs. Some of the most popular include:
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) — Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Nutrition, Environmental Science
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) — Psychology, Sociology, History, Political Science
- Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.) — Business, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Real Estate
- Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) — Biomedical, Computer, Environmental, Mechanical
- Bachelor of Computing (B.Comp.) — Computer Science, Software Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) — Highest tuition at $96,974 CAD/year
- Bachelor of One Health
- Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management
👉 Explore all programs at: uoguelph.ca/explore-all-programs
🎓 Required Documents
To be considered for entrance scholarships, ensure your complete admission file includes:
- Completed undergraduate application
- Official secondary school transcripts / academic records
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
- Any supplementary documentation required by your specific program
- For the Vaccarino Scholarship: additional application with community involvement evidence
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) — required for Canadian study permits
- For Indigenous U.S. students: tribal enrollment or registration card
(Always verify the specific document checklist on the official website, as requirements may vary by program.)
🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process
Applying for both admission and scholarships at U of G is refreshingly simple:
- Create your application through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) or the direct U of G application portal
- Submit your application for your chosen undergraduate program
- Upload all required documents before the March 1, 2027 deadline — this is critical for scholarship consideration
- Receive your offer of admission — your scholarship eligibility will be communicated directly in your offer letter
- For the Vaccarino Scholarship only: submit a separate application by January 23, 2027 at the U of G scholarship portal
- Accept your offer and pay the $2,000 CAD non-refundable tuition deposit to confirm your seat
- Apply for your Canadian Study Permit/Visa through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
That’s it. No scholarship essays, no separate forms for most awards — Gradualin recommends ensuring your file is complete well before the March deadline to maximize your chances.
🎓 Important Dates & Deadlines
| Milestone | Date |
| Vaccarino Scholarship Application Deadline | January 23, 2027 |
| Complete Admission File Deadline | March 1, 2027 |
| Program Entry | Fall 2027 |
| Winter 2027 / Fall 2027 (Transfer Scholarship) | Ongoing |
📌 Bookmark this page and check back for updates — deadlines can shift and new scholarships may be added to the U of G portfolio.
🎓 Making Money While You Study at U of G
Here’s what makes U of G genuinely different: you can offset a massive chunk of your tuition through on-campus earnings. Consider the real story of Toygar, an international student who earned over $120,000 CAD during his time at Guelph:
- 💼 $63,000 CAD through co-op placements
- 🛒 $35,000 CAD from part-time jobs during studies
- 🏅 $12,000 CAD in merit-based scholarships
- 💚 $6,000 CAD in need-based bursaries
- 📚 $2,500+ CAD saved by renting textbooks from the library
Your earning options:
- Co-operative Education: Earn $500–$2,500 CAD per week during full-time co-op work terms
- Part-time Jobs: Over 4,000 on-campus positions available — cafeterias, athletics, retail
- Work Study Program: Part-time on-campus employment for students with financial need (available from 2nd year)
- Research Assistantships (ISURA): 16 weeks of paid research experience earning $9,640+ CAD
🎓 Why Choose the University of Guelph — and Canada?
Canada consistently ranks among the top 10 safest countries in the world and is globally celebrated for its multicultural, welcoming environment. Guelph itself is a mid-sized city that offers the perfect balance: enough career opportunities, student life, and urban amenities — without the overwhelming pace of Toronto.
U of G graduates enter the workforce with an edge. The university’s co-op and experiential learning programs are among the best in Canada, and its alumni network spans science, agriculture, technology, business, and public policy. Canada’s post-graduation work permit (PGWP) also allows international graduates to work in Canada for up to three years after completing their degree — a pathway that many use to transition to permanent residency.
This is one of the few countries where your degree, your work experience, and your immigration pathway can all come from the same university experience.
🎓 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to apply separately for the University of Guelph scholarships? A: For most scholarships — including the President’s International Entrance Scholarship, University International Scholarship, and Dean’s International Scholarship — no separate application is required. You are automatically considered when your complete admission file is submitted by March 1, 2027. Only the Vaccarino Scholarship requires a separate application (deadline: January 23, 2027).
Q: Is IELTS required to apply to the University of Guelph? A: English proficiency is required for admission. U of G accepts IELTS, TOEFL, and other recognized tests. Minimum scores vary by program. Some students educated in English-medium institutions may be exempt — verify your specific situation on the official website.
Q: Can I receive multiple scholarships at the same time? A: Yes, students may be eligible for multiple awards simultaneously, including entrance scholarships, college-specific scholarships, and in-course bursaries. Check the U of G Scholarship Search Tool for a full list.
Q: What GPA do I need to keep my renewable scholarship? A: Both the University International Scholarship and the Dean’s International Scholarship require you to maintain a minimum 80% average in each academic year and remain enrolled full-time.
Q: Can I work while studying at the University of Guelph as an international student? A: Yes. International students with a valid Canadian study permit can work up to 20 hours per week off-campus during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks. On-campus, U of G offers co-op placements, part-time jobs, and research assistantships.
Q: What is the tuition deposit and is it refundable? A: A $2,000 CAD non-refundable tuition deposit is required to confirm your place at U of G. This amount is later applied toward your first semester tuition fees.
🎓 Official Source & Links
- 🌐 Funding Page: uoguelph.ca/admission/undergraduate/international/funding
- 🔍 Scholarship Search Tool: U of G Scholarship Search
- 🏆 Vaccarino Scholarship: Apply Here
- 🎓 All Programs: Explore Programs
- 📞 Contact: 519-824-4120 | Admission Services, 3rd Floor, University Centre, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
🎓 Complete Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
| University | University of Guelph |
| Location | Guelph, Ontario, Canada |
| Degree Level | Undergraduate |
| Top Scholarship | Dr. Vaccarino President’s Scholarship — $42,500 CAD |
| Renewable Award (4 years) | University International Scholarship — $20,000 CAD |
| One-Time Entrance Award | President’s International Entrance Scholarship — up to $7,500 CAD |
| Application Required? | No (most awards are automatic) |
| Key Deadline | March 1, 2027 (complete file); Jan 23, 2027 (Vaccarino) |
| Minimum GPA for Renewal | 80% average per year |
| Co-op Earnings Potential | $500–$2,500 CAD per week |
| Research Assistantship | $9,640+ CAD for 16 weeks |
| English Test Required | Yes (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent) |
| Official Website | uoguelph.ca |
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