Lester B. Pearson Scholarship 2027: Deadlines for Pakistani Students

The last deadline for the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 is 6 November 2026: by then, nominated students must submit the scholarship application and all their documents to the University of Toronto. You can only reach that stage if your school nominated you by 9 October 2026, so if you were not nominated this year, the realistic target is the next cycle, for entry in September 2028.

We checked every date and rule below on the University of Toronto's Pearson scholarship page on 22 October 2026. The university's own pages are always the final word.

What the scholarship pays

U of T says the Pearson scholarship covers, for four years:

• tuition
• books
• incidental fees
• full residence support

It is for first-entry undergraduate programmes at U of T only, and U of T names about 37 Pearson Scholars each year. That makes it one of the most generous and most competitive undergraduate awards a Pakistani student can apply for.

The page does not mention flights, the Canadian study permit or the costs of getting to Toronto. Families should plan for those separately and ask the Pearson office if anything is unclear. Our cost calculator can help you estimate what is left to pay.

Who can apply

According to U of T, you must:

• be an international student, which means you are not Canadian and need a study permit to study in Canada (Pakistani citizens fit this)
• be in the final year of senior secondary school in 2026-27, or have graduated no earlier than June 2026
• start your studies at U of T in September 2027
• be nominated by your school

For a Pakistani student, the final year of school usually means FSc Part II, ICS, I.Com or the A Level year. Students who are already at university, or who start any university course in January 2027, are not eligible.

Is the Lester B. Pearson scholarship for master's?

No. U of T says the scholarship is only for undergraduate degree applicants, so master's students cannot apply. If you are looking for master's funding, start with our deadline calendar and the scholarship finder.

Key dates for 2027 entry

U of T's page does not yet give decision dates for this cycle. For the previous cycle, its FAQ said recipients were told from the end of January and all nominees by April. Treat that only as a rough guide.

How school nomination works

This is the step most Pakistani families miss. You cannot nominate yourself. Each school can nominate one student a year, and it chooses its strongest candidate. The steps, as U of T lists them, are:

1. Check you are eligible (see above).
2. Get nominated by your school. Schools that have taken part before receive the nomination form from U of T. A school that has never taken part can apply to join, but this year's window closed on 9 October.
3. Apply to U of T for admission. You must apply to at least one undergraduate programme. You can choose up to three areas, but the scholarship is tied to your first choice.
4. Complete the Pearson application. After you submit your admission application, your school sends you a private link to the scholarship form.

U of T looks for outstanding academic achievement, creativity and leadership, and for students who could contribute to the wider world. Our undergraduate personal statement sample shows how to write about what you have done without exaggerating.

One firm rule: U of T prohibits generative AI tools such as ChatGPT for writing content in its undergraduate award applications, and says it disqualifies applications that break this rule. Write every answer yourself.

If you were nominated this year

You have until 6 November 2026. In the next two weeks:

• open the private link from your school and read every question before you start
• gather the documents the form asks for; the public page does not list them, so follow the form itself and ask your school counsellor if anything is missing
• check that your U of T admission application is complete, since the scholarship depends on it
• submit a few days early, not on the last night

If you were not nominated: plan for 2028

If your child is in FSc Part I, Grade 11 or the AS year now, the next cycle (for September 2028 entry) is the one to plan for. Based on this year's pattern:

• By June 2027: ask the school principal or counsellor whether the school takes part in the Pearson programme. If not, ask them to apply to join when U of T opens the next window.
• From July 2027: schools that take part receive the nomination form. Ask how your school picks its nominee.
• October to November 2027: nomination, the U of T application and the scholarship form, on the dates U of T publishes for that cycle.

These months are based on the 2026 cycle and may change. Check U of T's page in mid-2027 for the new dates. Our guide to studying abroad after FSc or A Levels and the study in Canada guide explain the rest of the process, including IBCC equivalence.

Free to apply: beware of agents

U of T says it does not work with agents or third parties to recruit students or award scholarships, and warns against anyone who asks for fees or offers a place. Nobody can get your child a Pearson scholarship for money. The only route is through your school and U of T's own application system. Our guide to avoiding scholarship scams lists the warning signs.

Your next step

If you were nominated, finish the scholarship form well before 6 November 2026. If not, talk to your school this term about the 2028 cycle, and save our Pearson scholarship page to check for the new dates. Always confirm dates and rules on the University of Toronto's official page before you act.