Studying abroad as an undergraduate is expensive, and international tuition in Canada can take a huge bite out of any family budget. York University in Toronto has an award built to change that for a small group of standout students.
The President’s International Scholarship of Excellence (PISE) is valued at CAD $180,000 over four years, paid as $45,000 a year. It is for high-school students entering first-year undergraduate study at York in Fall 2027, and it rewards academics, leadership and community involvement. This guide covers eligibility, the nomination rules, deadlines and the exact application steps.
The online application opens on 1 November 2026, so you have time to prepare if you start now. Before anything else, it may help to understand how international university admissions work.
Scholarship at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Provider | York University, Toronto, Canada |
| Award | CAD $180,000 over four years ($45,000 per year) |
| Level of study | Undergraduate, first year |
| Intake | Fall 2027 |
| Student deadline | 27 January 2027, 11:59 p.m. EST |
| Nomination and reference deadline | 4 February 2027, 11:59 p.m. EST |
| Nomination needed? | Yes, from a school official |
What the Scholarship Actually Offers
York’s official page values the award at CAD $180,000 over four years, which works out to $45,000 per year. Winners are known as President’s International Scholars.
The package goes beyond money. Scholars also receive:
- A community of peers from different academic, geographic and cultural backgrounds
- Complimentary registration for York’s annual Career Ready Conference every year
- Mentors who support your transition to university from day one
- Networking opportunities with senior leaders and professors across faculties
Direct-entry international students starting in Fall 2027 also receive a four-year on-campus residence guarantee. Note that this guarantee is not a financial commitment: you will still pay for residence and a meal plan.
Whether $45,000 a year covers everything depends on your programme, housing and lifestyle in Toronto. Compare the award with York’s tuition and fees page, and consult the official terms for the current value and renewal conditions.
Who Can Apply
Here is what you need to qualify:
- You are a high-school student entering the first year of an undergraduate degree at York in Fall 2027.
- You hold international student status and will pay international tuition fees.
- You have a minimum final admission average of 80% (A) or equivalent.
- You show strong academic performance, leadership and active involvement in volunteer work and extracurricular activities.
- You are officially nominated by a guidance counsellor, principal or senior school official.
There is no fixed list of eligible countries. Any international applicant who meets the conditions can be considered, and past recipients have come from places such as India, Pakistan, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Honduras and Barbados. Because the award goes to students entering from high school, transfer students do not appear to fit the stated criteria.
The Nomination and Reference Requirement
This is the part that makes PISE different from most scholarships, because you cannot apply entirely on your own. Your school has to back you.
- Your nominator must be a guidance counsellor, principal or senior official at your current high school.
- A school can nominate a maximum of two students each year.
- After you submit your scholarship application, York emails your nominator a link to confirm the nomination and upload a reference letter.
- The letter must be signed, appear on official school letterhead, and highlight your academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and community contributions.
Talk to your school early. With only two places per school, your counsellor may need time to choose, and they need to know the 4 February deadline well in advance. A late letter puts your whole application at risk.
Key Dates You Should Not Miss
- Scholarship application opens: 1 November 2026
- Student application deadline: 27 January 2027 at 11:59 p.m. EST
- Nomination and reference deadline: 4 February 2027 at 11:59 p.m. EST
- Start of study: Fall 2027
Remember that these times are in Eastern Standard Time, so convert them to your own time zone. The deadline is about three months away, but the admission application, personal statement and nomination all take time, so avoid leaving anything to the final week.
How to Apply
The process has four stages, and the order matters because the scholarship portal only opens after you apply for admission.
- Confirm your eligibility. Check the criteria above and speak to your school about a nomination.
- Apply to York for Fall 2027. Submit your undergraduate admission application. You will receive a York University Reference Number, which you need to log in to the scholarship application.
- Complete the online scholarship application. Use your reference number to submit the information listed below.
- Make sure your nomination is submitted. York emails your nominator after you submit, and they must complete the form and reference letter by 4 February 2027.
What the Scholarship Application Asks For
- A personal statement of up to 500 words explaining why you are an exceptional candidate, covering your goals, leadership, volunteer work and extracurricular activities
- Up to three extracurricular activities and community involvement entries
- Up to three previous awards
- Contact details for your nominator
- An optional extra reference letter highlighting community involvement
- A financial profile estimating the funding you have for your studies over the next three to four years
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
The selection criteria are academic excellence, leadership, volunteer work and extracurricular activities, so build your application around those four ideas.
- Show purpose in your 500 words. Do not just list achievements. Explain what you did, what changed because of it and where you want it to lead. If you are unsure how this differs from other essays, read this breakdown of statement of purpose vs. personal statement.
- Choose your three activities carefully. Pick the ones where you carried real responsibility and made a visible impact.
- Brief your nominator. Share your CV, achievements and the deadline so the letter is specific, signed and on letterhead.
- Be honest in the financial profile. York asks how much funding you have, so give a realistic estimate.
- Protect your grades. The 80% minimum applies to your final admission average, so keep working through your final school exams.
How PISE Fits With Other York Scholarships
York’s official page states that PISE is a high-value award that cannot be combined with entrance scholarships. If you apply for York’s prestigious scholarships and succeed, you receive the higher-value award.
International applicants are also automatically considered for entrance scholarships based on their final admission average, with no separate application. For Fall 2026 entry, these ranged from $2,500 to $37,500, so even if PISE does not work out, you may still receive funding provided your average qualifies. Check York’s international scholarships page for the Fall 2027 values.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply without a nomination?
No. York requires that you be officially nominated by a guidance counsellor, principal or senior school official, and the reference letter is part of the process.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
York values the award at $45,000 per year for four years. That is a large sum, but it is not described as covering every cost, so budget for any remaining tuition, housing, meals and living expenses.
Do I need to apply for admission first?
Yes. You must apply for undergraduate admission for Fall 2027 first, because the York University Reference Number you receive is what lets you log in to the scholarship application.
Can I apply while still in high school?
Yes. The award is aimed at high-school students entering first year. Your final admission average must reach at least 80% or equivalent.
What if I do not win?
You may still be considered automatically for York’s international entrance scholarships, which are based on your final admission average. Confirm the Fall 2027 amounts on York’s official page.
Who can I contact with questions?
Email York’s admissions team at study@yorku.ca. Be careful who you communicate with, and use York’s frauds and scams page if something looks suspicious.
Where to Apply and Learn More
Always rely on York’s own pages for the final word on eligibility and deadlines.
Final Thoughts
The President’s International Scholarship of Excellence is one of the most valuable undergraduate awards open to international students in Canada, but it is competitive and depends on a school nomination. Your admission application, scholarship application and nominator’s reference letter all have to land on time.
Start by speaking to your school, then apply to York for Fall 2027 and prepare your 500-word statement before the portal opens on 1 November 2026. With the student deadline set for 27 January 2027 at 11:59 p.m. EST, the best moment to begin is now.
About the Author
Damilare Abogunrin
Content Writer | FundedAbroad.com
Damilare Abogunrin writes about international career opportunities, scholarships, internships and visa-related jobs. Through his work at FundedAbroad.com, he helps readers discover opportunities abroad, understand application requirements and find official application channels.
He focuses on making opportunity listings clear, practical and easy to understand, so readers can assess eligibility and prepare stronger applications. He encourages applicants to verify job details and immigration requirements directly with employers and official sources.