Questions about aviation scholarships in Canada for international students come up constantly. This guide covers what is actually available in the Canadian aviation scholarship directory for non-citizens. The honest answer is more nuanced than most sites admit. The honest answer is that options are limited — but there are a few exceptions, plus other ways to reduce the cost of training in Canada. This guide explains what is realistically available and how to plan.
The honest answer — most Canadian aviation scholarships require citizenship or PR
Short answer: there are very few aviation scholarships in Canada for international students. Most major awards require Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. The reasons are practical — most aviation scholarships in Canada are funded by Canadian provincial governments, Canadian airlines and aviation companies targeting the Canadian workforce, and Canadian non-profits and foundations that exist to support Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Because of this, citizenship or permanent residency is an explicit requirement for the majority of awards. Where it is not written outright, residency or long-term presence in a province is usually implied.
Being clear about this up front helps international students avoid months of effort applying for awards they cannot receive.
Scholarships specifically open to international students
There are a few notable exceptions where international status is either required or clearly permitted.
Rob Robichaud Vantage Group International Student Scholarship — $5,000. For full-time international students in the Bachelor of Science (Aviation) delivered jointly by Mount Allison University and Moncton Flight College, with preference for students from the Bahamas, Jamaica or the Caribbean. This is one of the few aviation scholarships in Canada that explicitly lists “international student” in its eligibility.
Women in Aviation International (WAI) scholarships. Many WAI programmes are open to students training in Canada regardless of citizenship, provided they meet membership and programme requirements. WAI is an international organisation and its awards follow its own eligibility rules, not Canadian citizenship rules.
Institutional scholarships at colleges and universities. Many Canadian institutions offering aviation degrees or diplomas have entrance scholarships and bursaries for international students that are not aviation-specific but can be applied to aviation tuition. Check each school’s awards and financial-aid office directly.
Outside of these, it is rare to find aviation scholarships in Canada that are both substantial and open to non-PR international students.
What international students can access — loans, school financing, and other options
Even when scholarships are scarce, there are still ways international students can finance training in Canada.
Home-country loans and grants. Many international students fund Canadian training through government-backed or private loans in their home country, especially when aviation is designated as a priority field.
School payment plans and financing partnerships. Some Canadian flight schools and colleges offer staged payment plans, or have financing partnerships with international banks or lenders. Check each school’s funding page or international student office directly — some large schools and colleges have experience supporting international students financially, but arrangements change year to year.
Work during and after study. On a valid Canadian study permit at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), international students can typically work part-time during school and full-time during scheduled breaks, which can offset some living and training costs. Always verify current IRCC rules at the time of application — regulations change.
Most government student-loan schemes (OSAP, Alberta Student Aid, Canada Student Loans) are reserved for Canadian citizens and permanent residents; international students should not plan on using these.
Training in Canada on a student visa — the funding picture
To train in Canada for more than a short-term rating, most international students will need a study permit and, for college or university programmes, confirmation that their institution is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Key funding implications:
- You must be able to prove sufficient funds for tuition plus living expenses when applying for a study permit; scholarships can help, but you cannot assume Canadian aviation scholarships will close the gap.
- Some aviation diplomas and degrees qualify for post-graduation work permits (PGWP), which can eventually lead to permanent residency and access to the full scholarship stacking strategy (PGWP), which can eventually lead to permanent residency. Achieving PR opens a much wider set of scholarship and loan options for any further training you pursue.
See the eligibility guide for a full breakdown of where the citizenship and residency lines are drawn.
How to maximise your chances as an international aviation student
- Target the few clearly eligible scholarships — Rob Robichaud International, WAI awards and school-level international bursaries.
- Clarify your status early. If you are in the process of obtaining PR or have a pathway to it, note that many scholarships become available only once PR status is confirmed.
- If you hold a PGWP, check provincial workforce development programmes. Some provinces (including Alberta and BC) run workforce development grants or employer-linked funding that may be accessible to workers on post-graduation work permits, not just citizens. These are not aviation scholarships per se, but they can fund additional ratings or licences after graduation. (check with your provincial labour ministry for current eligibility rules)
- Demonstrate long-term commitment to Canada. When applying for any awards that do not explicitly exclude internationals, show genuine intent to work in the Canadian aviation industry — regional, northern or remote operations are particularly valued.
- Talk to your school’s international office, and see the how to apply guide for the full application process once you confirm eligibility. They will have the most current information on funding sources, both in Canada and abroad, that previous students have successfully used.
Browse all Canadian aviation scholarships → /aviation-scholarships/
Understanding eligibility → /aviation-scholarships/guides/aviation-scholarship-eligibility/
How to apply → /aviation-scholarships/guides/how-to-apply/
FAQ → /aviation-scholarships/faq/
About this guide: Scholarship amounts, deadlines, and eligibility requirements change annually. All information is verified against official scholarship administrator websites as of March 2026. If you find an error or outdated detail, let us know.
