CanadaU of T National Scholarship 2027 recognizes original and creative thinkers, community leaders and high academic achievers and is U of T’s most prestigious award for Canadian high school students entering the university. The scholarship covers tuition, incidental and residence fees for up to four years of undergraduate study for successful National Scholars.
The scholarship is administered by the University of Toronto and is linked to the National Book Award nomination process at Canadian secondary schools. The program selects incoming National Scholars and provides funding and recognition to outstanding students across the country, with support from founding supporters such as BMO Financial Group.
U of T National Scholarship Benefits
- The National Scholarship Program offers considerable awards.
- For up to four years of study at the University of Toronto, National Scholars are given complete coverage of tuition, incidentals, and living expenses, guaranteeing that they can pursue their academic objectives without facing financial hardship.
- Runners-up are also acknowledged as Arbor Scholars, who get $7,500 in their first year and $1,500 a year for the next three, providing significant financial assistance for their undergraduate studies.
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U of T National Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
- In your final year of Canadian secondary school or first-year CEGEP
- Planning to start university in the upcoming academic year (or planning to take a gap year)
- Nominated by your school for the U of T National Book Award
Required Documents
- Online Application Form
- Academic Transcript
- Curriculum vitae/Resume
- Other supporting document
How to Apply for U of T National Scholarship
- If you’ve been nominated by your school for the National Book Award you will be invited to submit an application to the National Scholarship Program.
- Schools will receive access to the 2027 nomination form the first week of September. The deadline for schools to submit nominations is October 9, 2026.
- You must first apply to at least one undergraduate program at the University of Toronto. The deadline to apply for admission to U of T and be considered for the National Scholarship Program is October 16, 2026.
- After you’re nominated and receive your JOINid, you’ll gain access to the online National Scholarship Program application. You must complete and submit the scholarship application by October 30, 2026.
- As part of your application, you will be asked to choose a person within your school or your community to send a confidential reference letter. The deadline for your letter of reference is November 6, 2026.
- Approximately 25 finalists will be notified and invited to participate in virtual selection interviews in February 2027.
Don’t miss this deadline
Applications close on Friday, 30 October 2026. We’ll email you 7, 3 and 1 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the U of T National Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, award value, key deadlines, the nomination process, and how selection works.
Who is eligible for the U of T National Scholarship?
To be eligible you must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person; be in your final year of Canadian secondary school or first-year CEGEP; plan to start university in the upcoming academic year (or take a gap year); and be nominated by your school for the U of T National Book Award. These eligibility requirements are specified on the University of Toronto page for the program.
What does the National Scholarship cover?
The National Scholarship Program covers tuition, incidental and residence fees for up to four years of undergraduate study at the University of Toronto. Runners-up receive Arbor Scholarships valued at $7,500 in the first year and $1,500 per year for the next three years. The award is tenable only at the University of Toronto.
How does my school nominate me for the program?
Each Canadian high school may nominate one student per year through the National Book Award process. Schools can apply to join the National Book Award program and will receive access to the nomination form; the University provides guidance and the nomination deadline for schools is October 9, 2026.
What are the key application deadlines?
Important deadlines listed by the University of Toronto include: school nomination deadline for the National Book Award — October 9, 2026; student deadline to apply for admission to U of T — October 16, 2026; and student deadline to submit the National Scholarship application — October 30, 2026 (11:59pm EDT).
Do I need to apply for admission to U of T before applying for the scholarship?
Yes. In order to submit your National Scholarship Program application you must first apply to at least one undergraduate program at the University of Toronto. The deadline to apply for admission and be considered for the scholarship is October 16, 2026.
What supporting documents are required?
As part of the application you will be asked to provide a confidential reference letter from a person within your school or community; once you submit your application the referee will receive a link to submit their letter. The University also requires nomination via the National Book Award and completion of the online scholarship application by the published deadline.
When will finalists be interviewed and how are scholars selected?
Approximately 25 finalists will be notified and invited to participate in virtual selection interviews in February 2027. From those finalists, a chosen group of pupils will be designated National Scholars. The University states that only successful applicants are notified following selection.
What is the National Book Award and how is it related?
The National Book Award program recognizes top Canadian secondary school students regardless of which university they attend and is the mechanism by which schools nominate students for the National Scholarship Program. Award recipients receive a physical National Book Award to be presented at their school’s graduation or awards ceremony.
How much funding did the program provide in recent years?
The University of Toronto reports more than $1.4M in funding for 2026 and indicates the program provided significant financial support in prior years. The site notes 9 incoming National Scholars for 2026 and representation from 10 provinces in the competition.
Who supports the National Scholarship Program?
The University of Toronto thanks founding supporters such as BMO Financial Group for their generous support of the National Scholars Program. The program is administered by the University of Toronto and connected to the National Book Award nomination process at Canadian secondary schools.
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