Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program At University Of Toronto 2027 in Canada | Fully Funded — University of Toronto
Explicitly covering passport and visa application fees alongside the more standard tuition and housing components reflects a program built with genuine awareness of the full range of practical costs international students face before they even arrive on campus.
About the Scholarship
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Toronto is a fully funded scholarship program for graduate studies, providing comprehensive financial assistance for the entire duration of a scholar’s graduate program. This includes travel expenses to Canada, specifically covering passport acquisition and visa application fees, alongside tuition, housing, a food and grocery stipend, health insurance, and learning materials.
Because the program covers such a genuinely comprehensive range of costs, extending well beyond tuition and housing into practical pre-arrival expenses like passport and visa fees, it reflects an institutional design built with specific awareness of the full financial barriers international students, and African students in particular, commonly face before even beginning their studies.
For the 2026-27 academic year specifically, applications closed with a deadline of November 3, 2025, meaning prospective applicants for future cycles should monitor the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program’s application timeline closely, since this program operates on specific annual windows rather than rolling admission.
As one of Canada’s largest and most internationally recognized research universities, located in Toronto, Ontario, the University of Toronto offers Mastercard Foundation Scholars access to an extensive range of graduate programs within one of North America’s most diverse major cities.
Scholarship Benefits
- Full financial assistance for the entire duration of graduate study
- Travel expenses to Canada, including passport and visa application fees
- Tuition, housing, and a food and grocery stipend
- Health insurance and learning materials coverage
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be an eligible African student applying for graduate study at the University of Toronto through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- You must apply within the program’s specific annual application window
- You must meet the University of Toronto’s standard graduate admission requirements for your intended program
- You must demonstrate the academic achievement and leadership potential the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program evaluates
Fields of Study Covered
The scholarship supports graduate study across the University of Toronto’s full range of programs, consistent with the broader Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program’s mission.
Required Documents
- A completed Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application
- A completed University of Toronto graduate program application
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- A personal statement addressing your academic and leadership background
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Monitor the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program’s current application window for the University of Toronto specifically
- Apply for admission to your chosen graduate program at the University of Toronto
- Submit the separate Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application alongside your required documentation
- Prepare your personal statement and gather required recommendation letters well ahead of the deadline
- Respond promptly to any follow-up requests from the program’s selection committee
Selection Process
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program’s selection committee evaluates eligible applicants based on academic achievement, leadership potential, and alignment with the program’s broader mission, in coordination with the University of Toronto’s graduate admissions review.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Monitor the program’s specific annual application window closely, since it does not operate on rolling admission
- Submit a strong personal statement that clearly reflects your academic achievement and leadership background
- Prepare your application materials well ahead of the deadline, given the program’s comprehensive documentation requirements
- Compare this against other fully funded graduate scholarships like the McCall MacBain Scholarship if you are also considering other Canadian universities
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the scholarship cover?
Travel expenses including passport and visa fees, tuition, housing, a food and grocery stipend, health insurance, and learning materials.
When is the application deadline?
For a recent cycle, the deadline was November 3, 2025; confirm the current cycle’s specific deadline directly, since the program does not operate on rolling admission.
Who is eligible for this program?
Eligible African students applying for graduate study at the University of Toronto.
Is there a separate application beyond standard graduate admission?
Yes, a separate Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application is required alongside your University of Toronto graduate program application.
What is the University of Toronto known for academically?
A broad range of highly ranked programs as one of Canada’s largest and most internationally recognized research universities.
Where is the University of Toronto located?
Toronto, Ontario.
Does the program cover the full duration of my graduate studies?
Yes, it provides full financial assistance for the entire duration of the graduate program.
Can I combine this scholarship with other funding sources?
Check the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program’s current policy on combining its funding with other institutional or external sources.