Scholarships·Canada· 8 min read

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto) Explained

How the University of Toronto's Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship works — a nomination-based entrance award for international undergraduates covering tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence.

Last updated 3 July 2026

Key facts

Institution: University of Toronto (tenable only at U of T)
For: International undergraduate students requiring a study permit
Type: Nomination-based entrance scholarship (no direct application)
Nomination: By your secondary school — one student per school per year
Covers: Tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years
Deadlines & numbers: Set each cycle — verify on the official U of T Pearson page

What the Pearson International Scholarship is

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is the University of Toronto's flagship entrance scholarship for international undergraduate students. It recognises exceptional students coming from outside Canada who show strong academic achievement, creativity, and leadership within their school and community.

Unlike the many automatic entrance awards that consider all applicants, the Pearson Scholarship is nomination-based and highly selective. It is tenable only at the University of Toronto — it cannot be transferred to another institution — and is one of the most generous undergraduate awards a Canadian university offers to international students.

U of T's flagship entrance scholarship for international undergraduates.
Recognises academic excellence plus creativity and leadership.
Nomination-based and highly competitive.
Tenable only at the University of Toronto.

What the scholarship covers

According to the University of Toronto, the Pearson Scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years — making it a comprehensive, full-degree award for a first-entry undergraduate program.

Because the exact value depends on the program, fees, and residence costs each year, U of T does not publish a fixed dollar figure that stays constant. Treat the coverage as "tuition + books + incidental fees + residence for four years," and confirm the current terms on the university's official Pearson page rather than relying on a specific number quoted elsewhere.

Covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support.
Awarded for four years (a first-entry undergraduate program).
The exact monetary value varies by program and year.
Confirm current coverage on U of T's official Pearson page.

Who is eligible

To be considered, you must be an international student — a non-Canadian who requires a study permit to study in Canada. You should be in your final year of secondary school, or have graduated recently within the window U of T specifies for the cycle, and be beginning your first undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto in the relevant fall intake.

Students who are already attending post-secondary studies are not eligible — the award is for students entering university for the first time. Because the exact graduation window and intake year change each cycle, check the official eligibility statement on U of T's Pearson page for the year you are applying.

Must be an international student requiring a study permit for Canada.
For students entering their first undergraduate degree (fall intake).
Students already in post-secondary studies are not eligible.
Exact graduation window and intake year change each cycle — verify on U of T.

How the nomination process works

The defining feature of the Pearson Scholarship is that you cannot apply directly — your current secondary school must nominate you through U of T's official online process, and each school may nominate only one student per year. This makes the school's internal selection your first hurdle.

Schools that have participated before are given access to the nomination form; schools new to the process can apply to become eligible to nominate. Once nominated, you complete a separate scholarship application and submit the required documentation to U of T, and you must also submit your regular U of T admission application. All three steps — nomination, admission application, and scholarship application — have their own deadlines each cycle.

You cannot apply directly — your secondary school nominates you.
Each school may nominate only one student per year.
After nomination, you complete a separate scholarship application.
You must also submit your standard U of T admission application.

How to give yourself the best chance

Because the school controls nomination, start early: talk to your school's counsellor or head about the Pearson Scholarship well before the nomination window, and make sure your school is registered to nominate. Build the record the award looks for — strong grades alongside genuine creativity, leadership, and community impact — over your senior years, not at the last minute.

No scholarship, and no guide, can guarantee selection: only a limited number of scholars are chosen each year from a global pool. Treat the Pearson as a stretch goal, and apply to U of T on its own merits and pursue other entrance awards in parallel so your plans do not depend on a single, highly competitive result.

Raise it with your school early and confirm it can nominate.
Build a record of academics plus leadership and community impact.
Selection is extremely competitive — there are no guarantees.
Apply to U of T and other awards in parallel as a backup.

Deadlines and staying current

The Pearson cycle runs on a set sequence of deadlines — school nomination first, then your U of T admission application, then the scholarship application and documents — with recipients typically notified later in the admissions cycle. These dates shift each year.

Because deadlines and eligibility windows change annually, always work from the official University of Toronto Pearson Scholarship page for the exact dates of your cycle, and note them early. Missing the nomination deadline is the most common reason strong candidates never enter the competition at all.

Sequence: school nomination → U of T admission application → scholarship application.
Recipients are notified later in the admissions cycle.
Dates change each cycle — confirm on the official U of T page.
Missing the nomination deadline is the most common way to lose the chance.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for the Pearson Scholarship directly?

No. You must be nominated by your current secondary school through the University of Toronto's official online nomination process, and each school may nominate only one student per year. After nomination, you complete a separate scholarship application and your regular U of T admission application.

What does the Pearson Scholarship cover?

The University of Toronto states it covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years of a first-entry undergraduate program. The exact monetary value varies by program and year, so confirm the current terms on the official U of T Pearson page.

Who is eligible for the Pearson Scholarship?

International students — non-Canadians who require a study permit — who are entering their first undergraduate degree at U of T in the relevant fall intake. Students already attending post-secondary studies are not eligible. The exact graduation window and intake year change each cycle, so verify on the official page.

How many students receive it each year?

The University of Toronto selects a limited number of Pearson Scholars each year from a global applicant pool, making it highly competitive. Treat it as a stretch goal and pursue other entrance awards and a strong U of T admission application in parallel. Check the official U of T page for the current number.

Is the Pearson Scholarship tenable at other universities?

No. The award is tenable only at the University of Toronto and cannot be transferred to another institution.

Where do I find the official deadlines?

Always use the University of Toronto's official Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship page for the exact nomination, admission, and scholarship-application deadlines for your cycle, since these dates change every year. Note them early — missing the nomination deadline is the most common way strong candidates miss out.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: University of Toronto — Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships (official).

Last verified: 3 July 2026.