University of Saskatchewan International Student Entrance Bursary in Canada, 2026

As part of its commitment to supporting students from around the world, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) offers a range of financial awards and bursaries for international undergraduate students entering in Fall 2026. One notable award is the International Student Entrance Bursar, a targeted bursary that supports specific international students with both academic achievement and financial need.

Unlike general merit scholarships automatically considered upon admission, this bursary is competitive which requires a dedicated application and supporting documentation demonstrating financial need as well as academic promise.

What Is the International Student Entrance Bursary?

The International Student Entrance Bursary is a competitive financial award valued at CAD $10,000, offered to support one exceptional international student. It is designed to help with the cost of tuition and education expenses in the first year of study.

Purpose of the Bursary

This award aims to:

  • Support academically talented international students who demonstrate financial need
  • Assist with costs associated with starting undergraduate study in Canada
  • Encourage global diversity and international representation in USask’s community
  • Provide targeted support for students from specific regions (Africa and Central/South America) while promoting fairness and equity in access to higher education in Canada.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the International Student Entrance Bursary 2026, students must meet the following requirements:

Applicant Status

  • Must be an international student (non-Canadian citizen and non-permanent resident).

Program and Registration

  • Must be admitted and registered as a full-time undergraduate student in the College of Arts & Science, Edwards School of Business, or other eligible undergraduate programs at USask.

School Origin

  • Applicants must come from an international secondary school in Africa OR Central/South America. Preference is given to students whose education originates from these regions.

Academic and Credit Requirements

  • Enrollment in the Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm) program or an equivalent full-time undergraduate track.
  • Must successfully complete 18 credit units during the regular academic session (fall + winter terms) to retain the bursary.

Financial Need

  • Must demonstrate financial need as part of the application (details provided below).
  • Financial need is a key component of the selection, not just academic achievement.

Value and Benefits

  • Total Value: CAD $10,000 (one-time lump sum award)
  • Purpose: The bursary helps offset the tuition costs and other initial education expenses for incoming international students in their first year.
  • Payment: Bursary funds are applied directly to the student’s account or credited against tuition fees upon award acceptance.

Although this bursary is one-time (for first-year support), recipients who demonstrate continued need and academic progress are encouraged to explore additional university bursaries and awards in later years.

How to Apply

1. Submit Your Admission Application

  • Apply for admission to a full-time undergraduate program at the University of Saskatchewan for Fall 2026. Ensure you meet the international application deadline of May 1, 2026.

2. Receive Your USask Account (NSID)

  • Once your admission application is confirmed, you will receive a NSID login to the USask student portal (PAWS). This portal is where you apply for bursaries and upload documents.

3. Access the Scholarships & Bursaries Channel

  • Log into PAWS
  • Open the Scholarships and Bursaries section
  • Select Competitive Entrance Bursaries (not the automatic awards)

4. Complete the Competitive Entrance Bursary Application

  • Find and start the Competitive Entrance Bursary application form. This is the form through which the International Entrance Bursary is administered.

5. Complete the Financial Need Calculator

  • As part of the bursary application, use the Financial Need Calculator within PAWS. You will be asked to provide information about your finances, including family income, exceptional expenses, and any supporting financial documentation.

6. Upload Required Supporting Documents

Typical required documents include:

  • Official transcripts from secondary school
  • Financial statements (translated if necessary)
  • Proof of region/country of schooling
  • Any additional documents explaining extraordinary expenses or hardship

7. Submit Your Application by March 1

  • Be sure everything is submitted before or on March 1, 2026, late applications are typically not considered.

8. Await Notification

  • Award offers are sent via email and posted in PAWS between April and July 2026. If successful, you will need to accept the award in PAWS by the deadline specified in your offer notification.

Click here for more details about the scholarship

Admission and Awards Timeline

StepDeadline (2026 Entry)
Apply for Admission to USaskMay 1, 2026 (International deadline)
Submit Competitive Entrance Bursaries ApplicationMarch 1, 2026
Submit Supporting Documents byMarch 1, 2026 (same as bursary application deadline)
Award Notifications BeginApril 1 – July 1, 2026

The bursary application must be submitted through the USask student portal (PAWS) by the March 1 deadline to be reviewed for the 2026 academic year.

Tips for a Strong Application

  • Start Early: Begin your admission application well before May 1, 2026 because bursary consideration requires early submission.
  • Be Honest and Detailed in Financial Need: Provide clear documentation and explanation of your financial situation, such as family income, extraordinary expenses, or economic hardship.
  • Demonstrate Achievements: Even though it’s a bursary, highlighting strong academic records and relevant extracurricular involvement helps strengthen your profile.
  • Monitor PAWS and Email: Check both your USask PAWS account and email regularly for instructions, notifications, and document requests.
  • Prepare Your Documents: Gather transcripts and financial documents well in advance, international verification and translation can take time.

How This Bursary Fits Into USask’s Awards System

The International Student Entrance Bursary is part of the competitive awards ecosystem at USask, alongside:

  • International Excellence Awards (academic merit, auto-considered)
  • International Baccalaureate Excellence Awards
  • Competitive Entrance Scholarships (based on merit, leadership, etc.)
  • Other bursaries that consider need and community involvement

While many awards like the International Excellence Award are automatically considered upon admission, the International Entrance Bursary requires a competitive application and a documented financial need component to stand out among applicants

Conclusion

The University of Saskatchewan International Student Entrance Bursary) for Fall 2026 is a valuable award of CAD $10,000 that can significantly ease the cost of starting an undergraduate degree in Canada, especially for students from Africa, Central America, or South America who combine academic achievement with demonstrated financial need.

This bursary is part of a suite of competitive and automatic awards at USask, offering international students multiple pathways to reduce educational costs, support financial burden, and contribute to building a diverse academic environment in Saskatoon.

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