Best School-Nominated Scholarships in the US and Canada for Indian Students - 2026
- Kajal Tyagi
- Apr 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 30
School-nominated scholarships are a golden opportunity for international students dreaming of studying at top universities in the United States and Canada. These prestigious awards, requiring a high school’s endorsement, celebrate academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, offering significant financial support to offset the high costs of global education. Unlike open scholarships, they spotlight only the most outstanding candidates through a school’s nomination.
School-nominated scholarships are merit-based awards that demand nomination by a high school counselor or principal, targeting students with top-tier academic records (e.g., 95 %+ in CBSE/ICSE, IB 40+, or 4.0 GPA), alongside remarkable leadership or talents. By covering full or partial tuition, fees, housing, and often stipends for books or travel . These scholarships ease the financial burden for international students at elite institutions. They are unique because they depend on a high school’s nomination, signaling a student’s standout qualities to university admissions teams. Beyond funding, they enhance an application’s credibility, as universities value the vetting process behind nominations.
Key Scholarships in the US and Canada
The table below outlines prominent school-nominated scholarships for international students, based on data from official university websites. It includes the scholarship name, country, eligibility, amount, and additional details, including seats awarded annually where available.
Scholarship Name | University | Eligibility Criteria | Scholarship Value | Additional Information (No. of Seats, Deadlines, Notes) |
University of Toronto | International student (non-Canadian requiring a study permit); final year of secondary school or graduated by June 2025; nominated by high school; exceptional academics (~90%+ or IB 38+); leadership/community impact. | Full tuition, books, fees, residence for 4 years (~$80,000 CAD/year) | Nomination by early Oct, 2025; application by early Nov, 2025, via secure link. ~37 awards annually. For globally minded leaders. | |
University of British Columbia | Requires nomination by a school counselor, head teacher, or nonprofit by November mid, followed by a student application and UBC admission application by early December. | $60,000–$80,000 CAD/year, | Canadian study permit, superior academics, leadership, financial need. Covers tuition, living costs, renewable for up to 3 years. | |
University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, University of Alberta, University of Waterloo, University of Ottawa, University of Calgary, Western University, Université de Montréal, McMaster University | International student; entering STEM program; nominated by high school (1 per school); academic excellence (~90%+); leadership in tech/innovation. | $100,000–$120,000 CAD over 4 years | Nomination by Jan end, 2026; application by mid Feb,, 2026. ~5–10 awards per university annually, ~100 total across Canada. For science/tech majors. | |
University of Miami, Dartmouth College, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | International students, including Indian nationals; nominated by high school; exceptional academics (~90%+ or IB 38+); strong leadership, service, and innovation; admitted to any undergraduate program. | Full tuition, fees, housing, meals, plus ~$10,000–$12,000 enrichment fund (~$70,000–$80,000 USD/year) | Nomination by early Nov, 2025; apply by first week of Nov, 2025 (early decision, Miami/Dartmouth),early Jan, 2026 (regular, Miami), Jan 2, 2026 (Dartmouth), or Jan 5, 2026 (Illinois). ~5–10 awards per university annually. Includes leadership programs, global opportunities. | |
University of Virginia | International students, including Indian nationals, nominated by high school (1–2 per school); exceptional academics (~90%+ or IB 38+); leadership, citizenship, curiosity; admitted to any undergraduate program. | Full tuition, fees, room, board, books, expenses (~$80,000 USD/year) | Nomination by early Dec, 2025; apply by early Nov, 2025 (early), or Jan 1, 2026 (regular). ~36 awards annually. Includes summer programs and global travel. | |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | International students, including selective Indian schools; nominated by a nominating school/affiliate or via UNC Early Action referral; exceptional academics (~90%+ or IB 38+); leadership, character, physical vigor; admitted to any undergraduate program. | Full tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, plus summer stipends (~$80,000 USD/year in-state, ~$140,000 out-of-state) | Nomination by Oct first week, 2025; Early Action by Oct mid, 2025, for ARP. ~50–75 awards annually. Includes four summer experiences. |
Key Steps for Above Scholarships
Secure Nomination: Work with your high school counselor early (summer/fall 2025) to ensure nomination, as schools often have internal deadlines before university deadlines (e.g., Oct 1 for Morehead-Cain, Nov 1 for Stamps).
Apply to the University: Each scholarship requires admission to the university, so submit applications via platforms like OUAC (Toronto, UBC), Common App (U.S. schools), or university-specific portals by the stated deadlines.
Submit Scholarship Materials: Post-nomination, most scholarships (except IMES) require a separate application through a dedicated portal (e.g., Schulich, Pearson, Morehead-Cain) or as part of admissions (Stamps, Jefferson), including essays, transcripts, and recommendations.
Follow Up: Check nomination status with your school and monitor application portals for updates, interview invitations, or additional requirements (e.g., Jefferson’s Selection Weekend, Stamps interviews).
Final Thoughts
School-nominated scholarships empower international students to pursue world-class education in the US and Canada without financial strain. They reward academic brilliance and leadership, leveling the playing field for students from diverse backgrounds. By securing a nomination and meeting rigorous criteria, recipients gain funding, prestige, and opportunities that shape their futures. Early preparation, from building a strong academic record to engaging with counselors, is key to unlocking these transformative awards.
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