International students looking for a fully funded undergraduate scholarship in Canada can apply for the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto for the 2027 intake.
The scholarship is one of the University of Toronto’s most prestigious awards for international students and provides financial support for up to four years of undergraduate study. Approximately 37 students are selected each year.
What Is the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship?
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is designed for exceptional international students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, creativity, leadership potential and the ability to make a positive contribution to their school and community.
Successful applicants will become Pearson Scholars at the University of Toronto, one of Canada’s leading universities.
The scholarship is available for first-entry undergraduate programs beginning in September 2027.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship provides substantial financial support for the full duration of the undergraduate program.
The award covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Books
- Incidental fees
- Full residence support
- Support for four years of undergraduate study
The scholarship is tenable only at the University of Toronto and applies to eligible first-entry undergraduate programs.
Who Is Eligible?
To be considered for the 2027 Lester B. Pearson Scholarship, applicants must meet the University of Toronto’s eligibility requirements.
You must:
- Be an international student, meaning a non-Canadian student who requires a Canadian study permit.
- Be currently enrolled in your final year of senior secondary school in 2026/2027, or have graduated from secondary school no earlier than June 2026.
- Be beginning your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027.
- Be applying for your first-entry undergraduate program.
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 institution are also not eligible.
What Kind of Student Is U of T Looking For?
Academic performance is important, but the Pearson Scholarship is not simply an award for students with the highest grades.
The University of Toronto describes Pearson Scholars as students who demonstrate:
- Exceptional academic achievement
- Creativity
- Leadership potential
- Positive impact within their school and community
- Potential to contribute positively to the global community
This means applicants should be able to demonstrate more than academic excellence. Their leadership, activities, achievements and contributions to their communities can also form an important part of their application.
2027 Pearson Scholarship Deadlines
Applicants should pay close attention to the deadlines because the process involves three separate stages.
| Application Stage | Deadline |
|---|---|
| High school nomination | October 9, 2026 |
| U of T admission application | October 16, 2026 |
| Pearson Scholarship application & documents | November 6, 2026 |
These are the official deadlines currently published by the University of Toronto.
How to Apply
The Pearson Scholarship does not have an open application where students simply submit their applications directly.
There are three main steps.
Step 1: Get Nominated by Your School
Students must first be nominated by their secondary school.
If your school has previously participated in the Pearson Scholarship program, it can access the nomination process. Schools that have not previously participated can apply to join the program.
The nomination deadline is October 9, 2026.
Importantly, each high school can nominate only one student per year.
Step 2: Apply to the University of Toronto
After securing a nomination, you must apply for admission to an eligible undergraduate program at the University of Toronto.
The deadline to apply for admission and remain eligible for Pearson Scholarship consideration is:
October 16, 2026.
Step 3: Complete the Pearson Scholarship Application
After your school nominates you, the University of Toronto will provide you with a private link to complete the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship application.
You can complete the scholarship application after submitting your U of T admission application.
The final deadline is:
November 6, 2026.
All required documentation must also be submitted by this deadline.
Important: You Cannot Buy a Pearson Nomination
Applicants should be extremely cautious about anyone claiming they can guarantee a Pearson Scholarship or secure a nomination for a fee.
The University of Toronto has issued a fraud warning stating that the Pearson Scholarship program does not work with recruitment agencies or educational agents to recruit students or offer scholarships.
Pearson Scholarship recipients can only be nominated by their current secondary school through the official process.
If someone asks you to pay money in exchange for a Pearson nomination, scholarship or guaranteed acceptance, treat it as a potential scam.
Important AI Warning
There is another important requirement applicants should know.
The University of Toronto currently states that the use of generative AI tools, including ChatGPT, is prohibited when creating content for University of Toronto undergraduate award applications.
According to the university, applicants who use generative AI to create their award application content may be disqualified from award eligibility.
Applicants should therefore prepare their scholarship responses themselves and follow the university’s instructions carefully.
Can Nigerian Students Apply?
Yes.
Nigerian students are eligible to apply as international students, provided they meet all the University’s requirements.
The University of Toronto has previously selected students from Nigeria as Pearson Scholars. For example, the 2026 Pearson Scholar cohort includes Nigerian student Oluwadarasimi Esther Adekunle, who was admitted to U of T Scarborough.
Another Nigerian, Renfred Ize Alonge, was among the 2025 Pearson Scholars and attended Apt Scholars Universal College in Ogun State before studying Computer Science, Mathematics & Statistics at U of T Mississauga.
How Competitive Is the Scholarship?
The Pearson Scholarship is extremely competitive.
The University of Toronto selects approximately 37 Pearson Scholars annually from outstanding students around the world.
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements therefore does not guarantee selection.
Applicants should focus on building a strong overall profile that demonstrates academic excellence, leadership, creativity and meaningful contributions to their school or community.
Official Application Information
Students should always verify deadlines, eligibility requirements and application instructions directly with the University of Toronto before submitting an application.
Official Lester B. Pearson Scholarship page:
University of Toronto – Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships
Final Takeaway
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 offers an exceptional opportunity for outstanding international students to pursue an undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto with tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support covered for four years.
However, the process starts well before the final scholarship application deadline.
If you are interested in applying, speak to your school as early as possible about the nomination process. Remember the three critical dates:
📌 October 9, 2026 — School nomination deadline
📌 October 16, 2026 — U of T admission application deadline
📌 November 6, 2026 — Pearson Scholarship application deadline
Do not wait until November to start. The nomination stage comes first, and each school can nominate only one student.
