Trent University International Scholarships and Awards in Canada, 2026

Studying in Canada remains a top aspiration for many international students due to the country’s globally respected education system, high quality of life, and strong post-study opportunities. However, the cost of international education can be a significant barrier. Recognizing this challenge, Trent University, located in Ontario, Canada, has developed an extensive and well-structured scholarship framework aimed at supporting academically talented and community-minded international students.

For the 2026 academic intake, Trent University offers a wide range of international scholarships and awards that reduce tuition costs, reward academic excellence, and promote global citizenship. These funding opportunities include automatic entrance scholarships, prestigious application-based awards, in-course scholarships, and need-based bursaries. This article provides a detailed, academic overview of these opportunities, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and strategic guidance for prospective international students.

About Trent University

Founded in 1964, Trent University is a public university in Ontario with campuses in Peterborough and Durham Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The institution is recognized for its student-centered learning model, interdisciplinary programs, small class sizes, and strong emphasis on research and sustainability.

Trent consistently ranks highly for undergraduate teaching quality in Canada and is particularly attractive to international students due to its supportive academic environment and dedicated international services. Scholarships and awards form a central part of Trent’s commitment to accessibility and global inclusion.

Overview of Trent University Scholarships

Trent University’s scholarship ecosystem is broad and structured to support students at various stages of their studies. Key categories include:

1. Trent University Entrance Scholarships (Undergraduate)

One of the most attractive features of Trent’s scholarship program is its automatic renewable entrance scholarships for students entering undergraduate programs in 2026. These are designed to reward high academic achievement and in many cases require no separate application.

How They Work

When you apply and are accepted to an undergraduate degree, you are automatically considered for Trent’s international entrance scholarships (if you’re an international student) or the national renewable entrance scholarships (if you’re Canadian).

International Entrance Scholarship Tiers

International students who apply to Trent for Winter, Summer, or Fall 2026 and meet the academic criteria can receive:

Canadian Equivalent Average	Scholarship Per Year (CAD)	Total Potential (4 yrs)
95% – 100%	$5,500	$22,000
90% – 94%	$4,500	$18,000
85% – 89%	$3,500	$14,000
80% – 84%	$2,500	$10,000

These awards are renewable each year of your degree if you meet the renewal criteria, essentially making them multi-year scholarships that significantly reduce your overall tuition burden.

Eligibility

To qualify for international entrance scholarships:

• You must be an international student paying international fees.
• You must study in Canada on a study permit.
• You must have a final high school average of 80% or more (Canadian equivalent).
• Postgraduate and graduate certifications are not eligible under this program.

2. In-Course Scholarships for Current Students

Scholarships at Trent are not just for first-year students. Once you’re enrolled, you can continue to earn financial support based on your academic performance.

In-Course Scholarship Eligibility

• Open to current international undergraduate students.
• You must be enrolled in a minimum of 2.0 credits or have a Student Accessibility Services-approved reduced courseload.
• You must maintain an average of at least 80% over the preceding academic year.

Award Value

The in-course scholarship ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 annually based on your academic standing and is usually applied in mid-October each year.

This pathway ensures that academically motivated students continue to receive support throughout their undergraduate journey.

3. Trent International Prestigious Scholarships (Application Required)

If your academic profile and personal achievements go beyond grades, Trent offers a suite of prestigious scholarships that require an application and can substantially fund your education, in some cases far beyond the automatic entrance awards.

Highlights of Prestigious Scholarships

These awards recognize academic excellence, leadership, community service, and some financial need. Awards are renewable and can provide:

• Up to $40,000 per academic year toward tuition and mandatory fees
• Up to $160,000 total over a four-year undergraduate degree.

Examples of Prestigious Scholarships

• Trent International Global Citizen Scholarship
• Trent International Program Tuition Levy Scholarship
• Moore Family International Scholarship (for students from outside North America)
• Justin Chiu International Scholarship (for students from Asia)
• Daniel Powell Scholarship (for Latin American students with an interest in international development)
• Trent-United World Colleges (UWC) Scholarship
• Maple Leaf Leadership Award (one-time award for select students)

Application Process

• A single application through the Trent applicant portal (via the myTrent system) qualifies you for all of these prestigious awards.
• The scholarship application for 2026 opened on June 1, 2025 and continues on rolling deadlines through April 1, 2026 for the Fall 2026 intake.
• Different application cycles correspond to different intake terms (Winter, Summer, Fall), but students only need to apply once per intake.

For detailed information about the scholarships, visit the official scholarship website.

Important Deadlines for 2026 Scholarships

While specific deadlines can vary by program and intake, here’s a snapshot of key dates you should know

International Prestigious Scholarship Application Deadlines

• Cycle 1: Apply by August 1, 2025 — results by September 1, 2025
• Cycle 2: Apply by October 1, 2025 — results by November 1, 2025
• Cycle 3: Apply by December 1, 2025 — results by January 1, 2026
• Cycle 4: Apply by February 1, 2026 — results by March 1, 2026
• Cycle 5: Apply by April 1, 2026 — results by May 1, 2026

Note: The earlier you apply, the more options you’ll have — especially if you need your scholarship offer for study permit (visa) applications.

In-Course Scholarship Application

• Opens each June through the myTrent portal
• Scholarships are applied in Fall (mid-October) for the previous academic year’s performance.

Application Process: Step-by-Step

• Apply for Admission: Submit an application to an eligible undergraduate program at Trent University.
• Receive Admission Offer: Automatic entrance scholarship eligibility is assessed at this stage.
• Apply for Prestigious Scholarships (if applicable): Complete the international scholarship application through the myTrent portal.
• Submit Supporting Documents: This may include transcripts, personal statements, references, and proof of extracurricular involvement.
• Accept Offers and Meet Deadlines: Scholarship offers must be accepted by stated deadlines to remain valid.

Tips to Maximize Your Chances

Here are strategies to enhance your scholarship success at Trent:

• Apply Early: Submitting your scholarship application well before deadlines gives you more cycles to be considered and ensures award decisions are ready in time for your visa application if you’re an international applicant.
• Strengthen Your Academic Profile: Higher academic averages increase your eligibility for better tiers of entrance and prestigious awards. Consistent performance also helps renew scholarships year-to-year.
• Highlight Leadership and Community Involvement: Many prestigious awards consider extracurricular involvement, volunteer work, and leadership potential in addition to grades.
• Follow Application Requirements Closely: For application-required scholarships, be meticulous with your documents — transcripts, essays, references, and any experience statements can make a big difference.
• Consider Bursaries Alongside Scholarships: If you have demonstrable financial need, bursaries combined with scholarships can significantly offset your living and education expenses.

Conclusion

Trent University Scholarships for 2026 present a strong range of funding opportunities for both domestic and international students. Whether you’re pursuing a bachelor’s degree or graduate studies, Trent’s system of automatic entrance scholarships, prestigious renewable awards, in-course renewal funding, and additional bursaries provides layers of financial support that can substantially lower the cost of studying in Canada.

For international students in particular, Trent’s renewable international scholarships and prestigious awards can add up to tens of thousands of dollars over the course of a degree, helping make an exceptional Canadian education more accessible and affordable.