Let’s be straight from the top: if your school hasn’t already nominated you for the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, this year’s round has passed you by. School nominations have already closed, and only nominated students can go any further. If you did get nominated, the next few weeks decide everything, so read this carefully.
What the Pearson Scholarship actually covers
This is one of the most generous undergraduate awards anywhere. The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto covers your tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years. In plain terms, it is a complete ride through your first degree, which is why students across the world chase it every season.
Roughly 37 scholars are selected each year, so the bar is high. The award goes to students who show exceptional academic results and real creativity, the kind who are recognised as leaders within their school.
Who the scholarship is for
The Pearson is for international students coming into their first undergraduate degree. That means you should be a student finishing secondary school, or someone who has never enrolled in a university before. If you already started a degree elsewhere, this award isn’t for you.
You also must be an international student who will study on a study permit in Canada. Nigerian students fit this profile well, and over the years a number of them have made the final list.
The nomination rule you can’t skip
Here is the part many people miss. You cannot apply on your own. Your secondary school must nominate you, and each school is allowed to nominate just one student. So the competition starts inside your own school long before Toronto ever sees your name.
If your school already picked you, good. If it didn’t, there’s nothing to do for this cycle except prepare for the next one. Talk to your counsellor early next year so your name is in the running.
The two deadlines nominated students must hit
Being nominated is only step one. Nominated students now face two separate deadlines, and missing either one ends the journey:
- University of Toronto admission application: submit it by the stated admission deadline. This is your general application to study at U of T, and the Pearson cannot proceed without it.
- Pearson Scholarship application: complete it by the stated scholarship deadline. This is the separate scholarship form you fill after your admission application is in.
Treat the admission deadline as the gate. If you don’t get your admission application in by then, the scholarship step won’t matter.
Watch out for scholarship fraud
The University of Toronto never asks you to pay a fee to be considered for the Pearson, and no genuine agent can sell you a slot. If anyone contacts you promising a Pearson nomination or guaranteed selection for money, that’s a scam. Deal only with your school and the official U of T channels, and never send money to a stranger online.
The same caution applies to emails asking for your banking details or a “processing fee.” Real scholarship offers come through your official application account, not through random WhatsApp messages.
How this fits your wider scholarship plan
The Pearson is tough, so don’t put all your hopes on one award. Build a shortlist and apply widely. Our guide to fully funded scholarships for Nigerians lists other strong options worth your time, and our walkthrough on how to apply for scholarships helps you put together an application that stands out.
For the full eligibility details, nomination process and any date change, go straight to the official University of Toronto Pearson page. Dates here are correct as at the time of writing, so confirm before you act.
Quick answers on the Pearson Scholarship
Can I apply directly? No. Your secondary school must nominate you, and each school nominates only one student.
What does it cover? Tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years of your first undergraduate degree.
What are the deadlines? Submit the admission application first, then the Pearson application, each by its stated deadline, as at the time of writing. Confirm both dates on the official page.
How many are selected? About 37 scholars each year, chosen from nominees worldwide.
Reviewed by Miles Obi, Careers and Scholarships Editor at Jobviza.
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- DAAD Scholarship for Nigerians: Official Application Guide
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