Lester B. Pearson Scholarship for Ghanaian students (2026-27)
Yes, a Ghanaian student can win the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship, but only if their school nominates them first. The University of Toronto award covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence for four years, for about 37 students a year. For entry in September 2027, schools must nominate by 9 October 2026, students apply to U of T through OUAC by 16 October, and the scholarship application is due on 6 November.
What is the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship?
It is the University of Toronto's top award for international students: a full scholarship for a four-year undergraduate degree. U of T funds it itself and names about 37 Pearson Scholars a year, from a field it says spans 188 countries.
You do not apply for it on your own. Your school has to nominate you first, and each school can put forward only one student a year. Without that nomination, you cannot apply at all.
Who can apply from Ghana?
A Ghanaian student who meets three conditions, for entry in September 2027:
- You are an international student. U of T defines this as a non-Canadian who needs a study permit.
- You are in your final year of secondary school in 2026-27, or you finished no earlier than June 2026. A student who finished SHS in mid-2026 may still qualify; check the date your school treats as your graduation.
- Your school nominates you. Ask your guidance counsellor, head of school or principal whether the school is able to nominate.
U of T accepts the WASSCE. It lists the WAEC Senior School Certificate Examination as its minimum admission requirement for Ghana. Your chosen programme will add its own subject requirements, and engineering has a separate page.
What does it cover?
Tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support, for four years. That is the whole cost of studying and living on campus at U of T.
U of T's description does not mention flights or study permit fees. Plan for those from home, and ask the scholarship office about anything you are unsure of before you accept.
When are the deadlines?
For students starting in September 2027, three dates, in this order:
- From 6 July 2026
Schools can log in and nominate one student.
- 9 October 2026
Deadline for your school's nomination.
- 16 October 2026
Deadline for your U of T admission application through OUAC.
- 6 November 2026
Deadline for the Pearson Scholarship application and documents.
- Late January to April
U of T notifies scholars from the end of January, and tells every nominee its decision by April.
These dates are much earlier than most US deadlines. A student who starts planning in November has already missed this cycle.
How do I apply?
Three steps, and each one depends on the one before.
- Get your school's nomination. Ask your head of school or counsellor to nominate you through U of T's secure form before 9 October. Show them this page if they have never nominated anyone.
- Apply to U of T. Submit an application to at least one undergraduate programme through OUAC, the Ontario Universities' Application Centre, by 16 October.
- Complete the scholarship application. Once you are nominated, U of T sends you a private link. Submit the application and documents by 6 November.
Our guide to studying in Canada from Ghana covers OUAC and the study permit in more detail.
How are scholars chosen?
On academic record, creativity and the promise to contribute. U of T says it looks for exceptional academic achievement, creativity, and the potential to contribute positively to the global community. It does not publish a scoring scheme.
Your nomination tells U of T that your school considers you its strongest candidate. Your application then has to show what you have built or led, in school and outside it. With about 37 awards worldwide, treat Pearson as one ambitious application on a wider list, never the whole plan.
Should I apply for it alongside US universities?
Yes, if your school will nominate you and you would take the place. A Pearson offer arrives between January and April, alongside most US decisions, so you can compare them side by side. Our guide to Canadian scholarships for Ghanaian students sets Pearson beside UBC's awards and the other Canadian routes.
What should I do first?
Talk to your head of school this week. Ask whether the school can nominate for the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship, and whether it will nominate you before 9 October. If the answer is no, or this cycle has passed, note that schools can nominate from July each year and plan for the next one.
If you would like help weighing Pearson against your US options, you can book a call with us.
Questions people ask
Can a Ghanaian student apply for the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship?
Yes, if your school nominates you. The award is open to international students who need a Canadian study permit and are in their final year of secondary school, or finished no earlier than June 2026, for entry in September 2027.
How do I get nominated for the Pearson Scholarship?
Ask your head of school or guidance counsellor whether the school can nominate, and ask to be its nominee. Each school can nominate only one student a year, through a form U of T opens to schools in July. For 2027 entry the school's deadline is 9 October 2026.
What does the Pearson Scholarship cover?
Tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years of undergraduate study at the University of Toronto.
Does the University of Toronto accept WASSCE?
Yes. U of T lists the WAEC Senior School Certificate Examination as its minimum admission requirement for Ghana. Each programme sets its own prerequisites on top of that, and engineering has separate rules.