This page features information for students in search of additional funding opportunities outside of what York provides. Included are ideas, strategies, and a list of possible funding sources. Note that Graduate Students may find they are eligible for more opportunities than undergraduate students.
Starting the Search
1) Check embassies and consulates in your home country - Investigate opportunities your home country offers to students studying abroad. Some of these funding sources may stipulate that you apply before you begin your program of study at York.
Check websites from your country's official government website; websites of embassies, consulates, or missions for your country (check under the “education office”); universities located in your country; organizations or businesses that operate within your country.
There is a list of foreign embassies and consulates located in Canada in the Yahoo Search Directory.
2) Reference books on funding - Check the reference section of York Libraries for funding books and information. Quite often there are books on funding that are geared towards different academic areas, countries of origin, or level of study.
3) Foundations and Organizations - You may also want to check for funding through foundations or organizations. Think about things that you are interested or involved in and do some research to see if there is are organizations you could apply to for funding.
Some Further Advice on Funding
Three things to remember when you are looking for funding are to be creative; seek more than one source of funding; and to always be persistent.
Creativity - Creativity is essential - look in places that seem unconventional or unlikely. You will never know if someone is willing to help you unless you ask. Think about submitting proposals for funding and think of yourself as a salesperson -- what can you offer to the funding body if they are willing to help you with your studies? Maybe you could conduct a seminar, give a talk, or maybe you have skills you can share. Detail all such strengths in your written proposal.
Seek more than one source of funding - One source of funding will often not be sufficient for your entire degree. Look in many places and don't disregard something just because it will not cover all your costs, everything little bit helps. Conduct thorough research in all publications, websites and networking of opportunities available. Approach all applicable sources of funding.
Persistence - Getting something you want is a challenge. Don't give up! Finding funding is an on-going process - don't forget to follow up with funding bodies if appropriate.
Useful Websites
The following is a fairly extensive, but not exhaustive, list of websites which may offer scholarships, awards or other types of funding for which international students are eligible.
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) - AUCC administers a number of scholarships, some of which may be open to international students.
Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE)DestinEducation - The CBIE DestinEducation site offers an awards section for international students.
Canadian Embassies - This website lists addresses for Canadian embassies worldwide. Canadian embassies sometimes administer scholarships to students such as the Commonwealth Scholarship or others that result out of agreement between Canada and another country. It is worthwhile to check the embassy in your country of origin to see if any options apply to you.
International
Education Financial Aid (IEFA) - The International
Education Financial Aid website features a searchable database of
information on financial aid, and college and scholarship and grant
information for international students studying abroad.
Maytree
Foundation - The Maytree Foundation offers scholarships
to landed immigrants and refugees in Canada.
Rotary Foundation - The Rotary Foundation offers multi-year Ambassadorial Scholarships. Students from a very large number of countries are eligible for these scholarships.
StudentAwards.com - A searchable database of scholarships, bursaries, grants, and other financial aid for students attending university in Canada.
Scholarships Canada - Another searchable database of financial aid opportunities.
