President's International Scholarship of Excellence

What you will need

• ✓ Completed International Student Scholarship & Award Application form
• ✓ 9-digit York reference number (received after applying for admission)
• ✓ Evidence of an exceptional academic profile
• ✓ Evidence of leadership through community service or excellence in the arts or sport
• ✓ A nomination, submitted by February 4, 2027
• ✓ $2,000 non-refundable acceptance deposit (required for all undergraduate international students)

About this award

You can receive $45,000 per year for a total of $180,000 over four years. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. After your first year, the award is renewable for an additional three years of full-time undergraduate study as long as you maintain good academic standing each year. This is for you if you are an international applicant with an exceptional academic profile who has shown leadership through community service or excellence in the arts or sport. You must submit the International Scholarships and Awards application between November 2, 2026 and January 27, 2027. This award also needs a nomination, due by February 4, 2027. York emails award decisions in March 2027. A select number of these scholarships are awarded per year. Selection is based on a variety of criteria and your final grades, though specific scoring details aren't published — ask York University how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. The money will be applied directly to your York Student Account and will show up on your August statement. As this is a tuition-based credit, ask York University during your application if any portion is available for living expenses so you can plan your cash flow. To keep this scholarship, you must remain enrolled full-time in a York University undergraduate program and maintain good academic standing each year. You must also accept your offer of admission by the deadline in your letter and satisfy all admission conditions within 30 days of the term start. Confirm with York University if there are any other specific GPA requirements to maintain the funding.

Who qualifies

You must be an international applicant paying international tuition rates. You need an exceptional academic profile and evidence of leadership through community service or excellence in the arts or sport. You are considered a high school applicant if you are under 21 by December 31 of your admission year, have been out of full-time high school for less than two years, and have not previously attempted studies at an accredited college or university. Note that you cannot hold this scholarship at the same time as the York International Scholarship of Distinction International, the York International Merit Award International, or the York International Transfer Award International.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ International student
• ✓ Open to high school students

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

3. 3

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• LeadershipAvoid just listing your titles or roles. Instead, describe a specific time your community service or achievement in arts or sport made a real difference. Give a concrete example of a project you led.
• NominationAvoid leaving the nomination to the last minute. Instead, read the nomination details in the application form as soon as it opens on November 1, 2026, and make sure your nomination reaches York by February 4, 2027.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the scholarship deadline to apply for admission. Instead, submit your admission application by January 19, 2027. You need your 9-digit York reference number to apply for the scholarship, and it takes 4-5 business days to arrive.
• RealismAvoid assuming that meeting the basic requirements is enough to win. Instead, remember that these awards are limited and highly selective. Have a backup financial plan to support yourself throughout your studies at York University.

Questions students ask

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