The issue of obtaining a quality education outside Ukraine is becoming increasingly relevant for many young people from Ukraine, especially those who have been forced to leave the country due to the armed conflict. Canada, as a country with a progressive education system and humanitarian policy towards Ukrainians, offers numerous opportunities for study through scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs. Many Canadian universities and colleges actively support Ukrainian students, offering them not only academic opportunities but also real financial support to realize their educational ambitions.
Federal and national scholarships for Ukrainians
Across Canada, there are several national scholarship and grant programs specifically designed for Ukrainians. One of the most important infrastructures is the Ukrainian Students' Union of Canada (SUSK), which maintains a list of numerous scholarships and awards available exclusively to Ukrainian students across the country.
The EDC Empowerment Scholarship is one such program, providing $5,000 to students from Ukrainian and other communities who demonstrate leadership qualities and align with EDC's values of diversity and inclusion. This scholarship is divided between seven scholarships for community leaders and twenty scholarships for students in international business programs. The next application cycle opens in February 2026.
The RBC Future Launch Scholarship is another Canada-wide program designed for Canadian youth aged 15 to 29, including Ukrainian newcomers and students, regardless of whether they are part-time or full-time students. This $1,500 scholarship can be used for short-term courses, certificates, workshops, equipment, books, or other educational needs. Up to 500 scholarships are awarded each year, and applications are accepted year-round.
At the prestigious level for graduate students, there is the BCU Foundation Canada 150 Graduate Scholarship, which is worth $10,000 and is available to outstanding Ukrainian-Canadian graduate students (master's, MBA, PhD, or postdoctoral) studying at recognized institutions in North America. This scholarship particularly values science, engineering, technology, and business, although it is open to all fields of study.
Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship
The province of Ontario has created a special program, the Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This $10,000 scholarship is available to students enrolled in Ontario public colleges and universities, including the University of Toronto, who have been affected by the conflict in Ukraine, either directly or indirectly.
To be eligible for this scholarship, students must meet several basic criteria. They must be enrolled in a full-time or part-time bachelor's or master's degree program, be physically present in Ontario for the year, demonstrate academic achievement and community involvement, and have financial need. Citizenship or resident status is not required, but the student must be physically present in the province. The application process opens every September, and the deadline for submission is usually in November.
Provincial support programs for Ukrainians
In addition to federal scholarships, many Canadian provinces have developed their own programs to support Ukrainians. British Columbia, through Okanagan College, offers the opportunity to cover all domestic tuition fees for students who arrived in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program and applied before September 1, 2025. This means that local fees instead of international fees can sometimes be thousands of dollars less per year. In addition, Okanagan College provides comprehensive support for student well-being.
Saskatchewan is one of the most active provinces in supporting Ukrainians. The Saskatchewan government continues to provide tuition relief under the CUAET program, allowing students to pay domestic rates instead of international rates at all post-secondary institutions in the province. In addition, Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers the SIOS Living Cost Bursary to cover living expenses, as well as clear pathways to residency and education.
Best Canadian universities for Ukrainians
Several Canadian universities stand out for their comprehensive support packages for Ukrainians. St. Thomas University in New Brunswick is considered the best option overall. This university waives tuition fees for up to two years for BA programs and also waives residence fees for the same period. Up to 10 students can study per year, and the university provides a full range of student services, including counseling, medical services, and assistance with housing.
University of Toronto, as one of the most prestigious Canadian institutions, offers numerous scholarships for Ukrainians. This university has a number of awards for students studying Ukrainian language and literature at the bachelor's level, including the Ivan Franko Scholarship in Ukrainian Language and Literature, The Taras Shevchenko Memorial Scholarship, Nancy Park Scholarship for the Study of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures, George Luckyj Prize, Dr. M. Huta Scholarship, Elizabeth Ruth Karch Award in Ukrainian Studies, Wolodymyr (Walter) Iwanyk Scholarship in Ukrainian Studies, and the Dr. Sergiy and Tetyana Kryvoruchko Undergraduate Award in Ukrainian Studies.
McGill University in Montreal has established the McGill Students and Scholars at Risk Fund in the amount of $400,000 to provide emergency financial support to international students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, scholars, and researchers who have been displaced by global conflicts or humanitarian crises. This fund can provide tuition waivers, medical insurance, living expense stipends, housing, and language support. McGill also offers over 80 fully and partially funded scholarships and awards for international students.
The University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver offers a wide range of scholarships and grants for international students, including the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, which covers those who are recognized as underrepresented in higher education.
The University of Manitoba in Winnipeg has set aside special scholarships for displaced Ukrainians. The university is offering up to ten (10) scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year, worth up to C$36,000 each, for undergraduate students who are citizens of Ukraine and have been displaced by the war. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, materials, and living expenses, including an optional room and board plan in a residence hall.
The University of Alberta in Edmonton, through the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS), offers the Bohdan and Natalia Golembi Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students studying in the faculties of law and humanities.
Support from educational organizations and foundations
In addition to universities, numerous Canadian organizations and foundations provide financial support to Ukrainians. SUSK (Ukrainian Students' Association of Canada) maintains a regularly updated list of resources for Ukrainian international students and disseminates information about assistance through various channels.
The Shevchenko Foundation is one of the largest foundations in the Canadian Ukrainian community and supports projects in the categories of arts, community development, education, and cultural heritage preservation. They accept applications until October 1 each year.
The Canadian-Ukrainian Foundation (CUF) opens applications for project programs from September 1 to October 1 each year, supporting a variety of initiatives that contribute to the development of the Ukrainian community in Canada.
Scholarships for international students
In addition to programs specifically designed for Ukrainians, many Canadian universities offer more general scholarships for international students. McMaster University has pledged $800,000 to support displaced students, scholars, and researchers from Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Humber College and other Canadian colleges also have international entrance scholarship programs that give priority to students from certain countries or regions, including Ukraine. These scholarships typically cover 25 to 70 percent of tuition fees for the first year.
VanArts and creative professions
For students interested in animation, game design, and digital arts, VanArts in Vancouver offers a 25 percent scholarship discount for all full-time programs starting March 10 or September 2, 2025, exclusively for Ukrainian citizens fleeing to Canada under the CUAET program. In addition, the Canadian government provides some assistance, including a one-time $3,000 payment and up to 6 months of $935 per month for single adults.
Support for displaced and displaced Ukrainians
In addition to direct scholarships, Canadian universities and organizations have developed comprehensive support schemes for those who have been forced to leave Ukraine. These programs include counseling services, immigration assistance, housing support, medical services, and even emergency financial assistance.
The SUSK website has a regularly updated list of the top ten Canadian institutions in terms of support for Ukrainians. This list features institutions with the most comprehensive support, including tuition waivers, emergency grants, clearly defined support pathways, and a range of student services.
How to apply for a scholarship
The process of applying for a scholarship for Ukrainians in Canada usually involves several steps. First, the student must choose the university or college where they wish to study. Second, the student must find out the specific requirements and criteria for receiving a scholarship, which often require citizenship documents, proof of the impact of the conflict in Ukraine, and academic records. Third, the student must contact the financial aid officer at the specific institution for detailed information and recommendations on available opportunities.
Most universities require students to have a written statement of motivation that describes how they have been affected by the conflict in Ukraine and how the scholarship will help them achieve their academic goals.
Conclusion
Canada offers a truly comprehensive network of scholarships, grants, and financial support programs for Ukrainians seeking to continue their education. From federal programs such as the EDC Empowerment Scholarship and the RBC Future Launch Scholarship to provincial initiatives such as the Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship and Saskatchewan programs, the funding opportunities are numerous and varied. Leading Canadian universities, such as St. Thomas University, the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia, actively recruit and support Ukrainian students through special scholarships and comprehensive support packages. For newcomers from Ukraine who have arrived in Canada under the CUAET program, there are also special tuition exemption programs in several provinces. Parents and students are encouraged to actively research the available opportunities and contact the institutions directly for the latest information on scholarship programs and application requirements.