The University of Toronto has opened the 2027 cycle of the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, one of Canada’s most competitive undergraduate awards for international students. The scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years at the University of Toronto.
The application process is different from most university scholarships because a student cannot simply submit a scholarship form. There are three separate stages: the student’s high school must nominate them, the student must apply for undergraduate admission to the University of Toronto, and only then does the nominee receive access to the private Pearson scholarship application.
For the 2027 cycle, the school nomination deadline is 9 October 2026, the U of T admission deadline for Pearson consideration is 16 October 2026, and the final scholarship application deadline is 6 November 2026.
Pearson Scholarship 2027: Quick Facts
- University: University of Toronto
- Country: Canada
- Study level: First-entry undergraduate degree
- Number of scholars: Approximately 37 each year
- Coverage: Tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support
- Duration: Four years
- School nomination deadline: 9 October 2026
- Admission application deadline: 16 October 2026
- Scholarship application deadline: 6 November 2026
What the Pearson Scholarship Covers
The award covers the major academic and residence costs of an undergraduate degree at U of T for four years: tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support. It is tenable only at the University of Toronto and only for first-entry undergraduate programmes.
The university selects approximately 37 Pearson Scholars each year, which means the award is highly selective even among strong international applicants.
Who Is Eligible for the 2027 Cycle?
An applicant must be an international student, meaning a non-Canadian who requires a study permit. The student must be in the final year of senior secondary school during 2026/27 or must have graduated no earlier than June 2026.
The applicant must also be planning to begin studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027.
Who Is Not Eligible?
Students who are already attending post-secondary education are not eligible. A student who plans to begin post-secondary studies in January 2027 at U of T or another college or university is also not eligible for the Pearson Scholarship.
This rule is important for students considering a gap period or an early university start. Beginning post-secondary education before the September 2027 entry can remove Pearson eligibility.
Stage 1: Your School Must Nominate You
The Pearson process starts with the school, not the student. Each high school can nominate only one student per year. That makes the internal school-selection stage a real part of the competition.
Students should speak with their guidance counsellor, principal or head of school early. Schools that have participated previously receive access to the nomination form. Schools that have not participated can apply to join the programme through the University’s process.
The nomination deadline is 9 October 2026.
What a School Is Likely Looking For in Its Nominee
The University describes Pearson Scholars as students with outstanding academic achievement, creativity, leadership potential and the ability to contribute positively to the global community. Because a school can nominate only one person, strong grades alone may not be enough to stand out internally.
A compelling nominee usually has a consistent record that connects academic strength with initiative: leadership in a student organisation, a community project, research, entrepreneurship, arts, advocacy, sport, volunteering or another activity where the student created measurable impact.
Stage 2: Apply for Undergraduate Admission
A school nomination does not replace the normal University of Toronto application. The nominee must apply to at least one undergraduate programme and must begin studies in September 2027.
The deadline to submit the U of T admission application and remain eligible for Pearson consideration is 16 October 2026.
Students can apply to up to three areas on the admission application. However, if the student wins the Pearson Scholarship, the award is tied to the applicant’s top programme choice at the time scholarship decisions are made. This makes programme ordering important.
Stage 3: Complete the Private Pearson Application
After the school nomination and the undergraduate admission application are in place, the nominee receives a private link to the Pearson scholarship application.
The scholarship form and all required documentation must be submitted by 6 November 2026.
A Critical 2027 Rule: Do Not Use Generative AI to Write the Award Application
The University of Toronto explicitly states that the use of generative AI tools to create content for undergraduate award applications is prohibited. Applicants found to have used generative AI to compose scholarship application content can be disqualified from award eligibility.
This is not a minor recommendation. Students should write their own responses and use their own voice, experiences and examples. Teachers, counsellors or family members can help an applicant think through experiences, but the final award content should comply with the University’s academic-integrity rules.
How to Build a Strong Pearson Profile Before the Deadline
Start by mapping achievements into four areas the University highlights: academic excellence, creativity, leadership and contribution to the community. Avoid producing a long list with no context. For each important activity, be able to explain what problem you addressed, what you personally did, what changed and what you learned.
If your strongest activity is leadership, quantify the result where possible. If it is academic work, show what made it exceptional. If it is a community project, explain who benefited and how the work continued. The purpose is not to make every activity sound dramatic; it is to make the student’s contribution clear.
Choosing Your U of T Programme
Because the scholarship is attached to the top programme choice, applicants should not rank programmes only according to perceived prestige. The strongest choice is one that fits the student’s academic preparation, interests and future goals and for which the applicant can make a convincing case.
Students should also review the admission requirements for their educational system and country well before the October deadline.
Fraud Warning
The University of Toronto warns students about fraudulent emails, agencies and third parties claiming they can secure Pearson nominations or scholarship offers. The University does not use educational agents to recruit Pearson Scholars, and valid recipients can only be nominated by their current secondary school through the University’s official process.
No student should pay an agent for a Pearson nomination or a supposed guaranteed scholarship place.
Application Timeline for 2027 Entry
- July–October 2026: Schools nominate candidates.
- 9 October 2026: School nomination deadline.
- 16 October 2026: U of T undergraduate admission deadline for Pearson consideration.
- 6 November 2026: Pearson scholarship application and documentation deadline.
- September 2027: Successful students begin undergraduate study.
What to Do Now
If you believe you are competitive for Pearson, the first action is not filling out an online scholarship form. Speak with your school about nomination, confirm whether the school has access to the University of Toronto nomination system and begin preparing the U of T admission application at the same time.
Do not wait for the school nomination result before researching programmes. The admission deadline follows only one week after the nomination deadline, so both processes need to move in parallel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship fully funded?
It covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years at the University of Toronto.
Can I nominate myself?
No. The applicant’s current high school must submit the nomination, and each school can nominate only one student per year.
Can I apply if I already started university?
No. Students already attending post-secondary education are not eligible for the Pearson Scholarship.
Can AI be used to write the scholarship application?
No. The University of Toronto states that generative AI tools are prohibited for creating content for undergraduate award applications.
