Studying in Canada can be expensive for international students. Tuition, accommodation, and daily living costs can quickly add up. Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in Toronto offers entrance scholarships that can reduce the cost of an undergraduate degree starting in Fall 2027.
Two awards stand out for international applicants: the International Student Leadership Award, worth CAD $10,000, and the President’s Entrance Scholarship, worth CAD $40,000 over four years. Both are competitive, and applicants must meet specific academic and application requirements.
Applications open on November 2, 2026, and the scholarship deadline is February 16, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
However, some TMU scholarships have restrictions that make them unsuitable for students applying directly from abroad. Here is what you need to know before applying.
Which TMU Scholarships Can International Students Apply For?
TMU offers several entrance awards, but eligibility varies. These three are particularly important to understand before planning your funding.
| Scholarship | Value | Key eligibility point |
|---|---|---|
| International Student Leadership Award — Fall 2027 | CAD $10,000 | Minimum 86% admission average; first-time post-secondary enrolment |
| President’s Entrance Scholarship | CAD $40,000 total | Minimum 90% admission average, plus leadership and creative ability |
| Guaranteed renewable entrance scholarship | CAD $750–$3,000 in year one | Requires attendance at a Canadian secondary school and other conditions |
The first two awards are competitive and require applications. The guaranteed renewable scholarship follows a different route: students must attend a Canadian secondary school and meet the other eligibility conditions. Therefore, students completing secondary school in Nigeria should focus first on the two competitive awards.
1. International Student Leadership Award 2027
The International Student Leadership Award (ISLA) recognises international students who combine academic achievement with leadership and community involvement. Activities such as volunteering, joining clubs, and contributing to school or community initiatives can strengthen an application.
For Fall 2027, TMU offers CAD $10,000 to up to 53 recipients. This is a one-time entrance award, not an annual scholarship.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must:
- Be international students who will have valid study permits by the start of the Fall 2027 term.
- Complete a recognised secondary-school curriculum in Canada or abroad.
- Achieve a final admission average of at least 86%, an A, or an equivalent.
- Enter post-secondary education for the first time.
- Pay international tuition fees.
- Enrol full-time in a four-year undergraduate programme, or a five-year programme with co-op.
- Meet TMU’s full-time course-load requirements.
- Have no more than one academic year between secondary school and post-secondary studies if taking a gap year.
Applicants must also submit a personal statement. Use specific examples to explain your leadership, contributions, and involvement rather than simply describing yourself as hardworking or ambitious.
Is the award renewable?
No. The CAD $10,000 ISLA is non-renewable. Include it in your budget as a one-time contribution, not funding you will automatically receive in later years.
2. President’s Entrance Scholarship
The President’s Entrance Scholarship recognises secondary-school students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, original thought, and creative ability.
TMU awards 12 scholarships worth CAD $40,000 each, paid as CAD $10,000 annually over four years, subject to renewal conditions.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must:
- Be enrolled in full-time secondary-school studies during the 2026–2027 school year.
- Achieve a final admission average of at least 90% across their best six eligible Grade 12 courses or international equivalents.
- Have remained continuously enrolled in full-time secondary-school studies before the 2026–2027 school year.
- Enter post-secondary education for the first time.
- Enrol in an eligible full-time undergraduate programme.
- Meet the university’s scholarship and enrolment conditions.
International students can apply if they meet these requirements, including the requirement to hold a valid study permit by the start of the term.
What must applicants submit?
The application requires three main components:
- Essay or creative project summary: Up to 500 words demonstrating original thought and creative ability.
- Two reference letters: One confirming academic ability and another addressing leadership or creative achievements.
- Leadership activities: Details of leadership activities or positions held during the final two years of secondary school.
A high average is important, but it is not the only consideration. Use your essay and references to show how your initiative, leadership, and creative thinking distinguish you from other candidates.
Can the scholarship be renewed?
Yes, provided you meet TMU’s renewal requirements. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.67, remain in clear academic standing, and meet the required course load.
Although the scholarship has a potential four-year value of CAD $40,000, recipients must continue to qualify for each annual payment.
3. Why the Guaranteed Entrance Scholarship May Not Apply to You
TMU also offers guaranteed renewable entrance scholarships worth CAD $750 to CAD $3,000 in the first year, depending on the admission average. Students who meet the renewal conditions may receive further funding in later years.
However, applicants must be enrolled full-time in a Canadian secondary school and meet the university’s other requirements. Students completing secondary school in Nigeria generally do not qualify for this award.
This is an important distinction: a scholarship described as guaranteed is not automatically available to every international student. Confirm your eligibility before including it in your funding plans.
TMU Scholarship Deadlines for Fall 2027
Keep track of both the scholarship deadline and the admission process.
| Requirement | Date |
|---|---|
| Scholarship applications open | November 2, 2026 |
| Scholarship application deadline | February 16, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time |
| Admission application deadline for consideration for the listed prestigious awards | February 16, 2027 |
| Coursework and final examinations used for scholarship assessment | June 30, 2027, subject to exceptions |
| Final grades deadline for current Ontario secondary-school students | July 12, 2027 |
TMU will close the scholarship application at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 16, 2027. It does not accept late submissions, including those delayed by technical problems.
Important: The scholarship deadline does not guarantee that every undergraduate programme will remain open until February 16. TMU advises international applicants to submit complete Fall 2027 admission applications by February 1, 2027, for guaranteed consideration, and programmes may close earlier if spaces fill. Check your programme’s current admission requirements and deadlines.
How to Apply for TMU Scholarships
Follow these steps to prepare your application.
Step 1: Choose your undergraduate programme
Identify the programme you want to study and check its admission requirements. Make sure your qualifications meet both the programme’s academic prerequisites and the scholarship criteria.
Step 2: Apply for admission
Submit your Fall 2027 admission application as early as possible. Although February 16 is the scholarship eligibility deadline for the listed prestigious awards, some programmes may close earlier.
Step 3: Obtain your TMU student number
Once TMU issues your student number, activate your university online identity. You will need these credentials to access AwardSpring, the university’s scholarship application platform.
Step 4: Complete the scholarship application
Applications for the President’s Entrance Scholarship and Fall International Student Leadership Award open through AwardSpring on November 2, 2026.
Complete the relevant form and provide the required personal statement, essay or creative project summary, references, and leadership information, as applicable to the award.
Step 5: Submit and monitor your application
Submit your application by February 16, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Avoid waiting until the final hours in case you need to correct missing information or resolve technical issues.
After submission, monitor your email and applicant portal for updates or requests for additional information.
For the current requirements and application access, visit TMU’s official scholarships and awards page for international students.
Can TMU Scholarships Fully Fund International Tuition?
No. TMU states that its scholarships do not cover the full cost of international tuition.
The university also permits certain entrance awards to be combined up to a maximum annual value of CAD $15,000, subject to the applicable rules. This limit does not mean every applicant will receive that amount, and not every award can necessarily be combined.
Before accepting an offer, compare your confirmed scholarship funding with tuition, mandatory fees, accommodation, food, health insurance, and other living expenses. You may need additional savings or funding to cover the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the TMU International Student Leadership Award?
The Fall 2027 award is worth CAD $10,000 and is available to up to 53 recipients. It is non-renewable.
Can Nigerian students apply for TMU scholarships?
Yes. Nigerian students can apply for the International Student Leadership Award and President’s Entrance Scholarship if they meet the relevant academic, admission, study permit, and other award requirements.
What average do I need for TMU scholarships?
The International Student Leadership Award requires a minimum final admission average of 86% or equivalent. The President’s Entrance Scholarship requires at least 90%, alongside its other eligibility criteria.
When do Fall 2027 scholarship applications open?
Applications open on November 2, 2026. The deadline for the listed prestigious entrance scholarships is February 16, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Is the President’s Entrance Scholarship renewable?
Yes. It is worth CAD $40,000 in total, with annual payments of CAD $10,000, subject to the university’s academic and enrolment conditions.
Does TMU offer full scholarships to international students?
TMU states that its scholarships do not cover the full cost of international tuition. Applicants should budget for the remaining tuition and living expenses.
Final Advice
TMU’s International Student Leadership Award and President’s Entrance Scholarship offer meaningful funding opportunities for international students. However, both are competitive, and each has specific academic and application requirements.
Start by confirming your eligibility and choosing your undergraduate programme. Then prepare your references, document your leadership activities, and complete the required written submissions before applications open on November 2, 2026.
Most importantly, plan your finances around the funding you can realistically receive. A scholarship can reduce the cost of studying in Canada, but do not treat it as full funding unless TMU confirms that it will cover your expected expenses.
