Studying nursing in Canada can be an excellent opportunity for Ghanaian students, but tuition and living expenses can be significant. Scholarships can help reduce the financial burden, although fully funded scholarships for international undergraduate nursing students are relatively limited.
The good news is that Ghana is included in some Canadian international scholarship programs, and several Canadian universities offer awards specifically for international students.
This guide explains where Ghanaian students can look for nursing scholarships, what types of funding are available, and how to improve your chances of receiving an award.
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Can Ghanaian Students Get Nursing Scholarships in Canada?
Yes. Ghanaian students can qualify for some scholarships and financial awards in Canada.
However, eligibility depends on the specific scholarship.
Some awards are:
- Specifically for international students
- Available to students from Ghana
- Limited to graduate nursing students
- Available only after you have started studying in Canada
- Based on academic performance
- Based on financial need
- Offered through a university or nursing faculty
- Available through international exchange programs
It is therefore important to read the eligibility requirements before assuming that a scholarship will cover your nursing tuition.
The Government of Canada’s EduCanada scholarship database allows international applicants to search for scholarship opportunities by citizenship and study profile.
Types of Nursing Scholarships Available to Ghanaian Students
1. University Scholarships for International Students
One of the best places to look is the university where you intend to study.
Canadian universities may offer:
- Entrance scholarships
- International student awards
- Academic merit awards
- Faculty-specific awards
- Nursing scholarships
- Continuing student scholarships
For example, the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Nursing identifies international awards for students studying on a Canadian study permit.
This makes university-specific scholarship research particularly important for Ghanaian applicants.
2. Study in Canada Scholarships
Ghana is one of the countries included in Canada’s Study in Canada Scholarships program.
However, this program is important to understand correctly.
It is primarily designed for short-term study or research exchanges, rather than a traditional four-year undergraduate nursing scholarship.
For the 2026–2027 cycle, eligible students from Ghana can receive scholarships of:
- CAD $10,200 for four months at the college or undergraduate level
- CAD $10,200 for four months at the graduate level
- CAD $14,000 for five to six months at the graduate level
The program is administered through participating Canadian post-secondary institutions, and individual students do not apply directly to the Government of Canada.
Therefore, a Ghanaian nursing student should check whether their Ghanaian institution has an eligible exchange relationship with a Canadian institution.
3. University of Alberta Nursing Scholarships
The University of Alberta is an example of a Canadian institution with nursing-specific scholarship opportunities.
Its Faculty of Nursing provides information about international awards for students studying nursing in Canada.
There are also nursing graduate awards that explicitly allow international students.
For example, the Alice R Thomas & Bryan Campbell-Hope International Graduate Scholarship in Nursing is open to international students holding Canadian study permits and is valued at approximately CAD $3,900. It is available to eligible master’s and doctoral nursing students and is awarded based on strong academic standing.
Another example is the Inez Poole Nursing Graduate Scholarship, currently listed at approximately CAD $14,000. International students holding Canadian study permits can be eligible, subject to the award’s requirements.
These examples show why graduate nursing students may have more nursing-specific scholarship opportunities than students applying directly from secondary school.
4. Scholarships for Nursing Graduate Students
If you are a Ghanaian student planning to pursue a master’s or PhD in nursing in Canada, you may find more specialized funding opportunities.
For example, the University of Alberta lists the Samit and Reshma Sharma Graduate Scholarship in Nursing, which is open to eligible international students holding Canadian study permits. The award is currently listed at approximately CAD $3,500 and considers academic achievement and research excellence.
Other graduate nursing awards may be based on:
- Academic performance
- Research quality
- Nursing specialization
- Leadership
- Community involvement
- Research impact
Graduate applicants should therefore investigate both the university’s general graduate scholarships and its Faculty of Nursing awards.
5. Entrance Scholarships
Some Canadian universities offer scholarships to students entering their programs for the first time.
These may be awarded based on:
- High academic grades
- Leadership
- Extracurricular activities
- Community involvement
- Academic achievements
For a Ghanaian student, this means your WASSCE results and other academic credentials can be important when applying for merit-based opportunities.
However, not every entrance scholarship is available to international students, so always check the eligibility criteria.
6. Continuing Student Scholarships
Do not assume that scholarship opportunities end after you receive admission.
Some awards are specifically available to students who are already enrolled in a nursing program.
The University of Alberta, for example, lists continuing nursing awards and other Faculty of Nursing scholarships for students already studying in the program. Some awards are automatically considered based on academic results, while others have specific requirements.
This means that maintaining strong grades after arriving in Canada can create additional funding opportunities.
What About the Canadian Nurses Foundation?
The Canadian Nurses Foundation provides nursing scholarships and bursaries at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.
However, Ghanaian students should be careful here.
The foundation currently states that applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Therefore, a Ghanaian student studying in Canada on a study permit would generally not qualify for these particular awards.
This is an important example of why students should never assume that a scholarship listed online is available to international students.
Are Fully Funded Nursing Scholarships Available?
Fully funded nursing scholarships for international undergraduate students are much harder to find than partial scholarships.
A scholarship may cover:
- Part of tuition
- A fixed amount toward tuition
- Living expenses
- Books and supplies
- Travel
- Health insurance
But many university scholarships cover only a portion of your overall costs.
The Canadian government’s Study in Canada Scholarships program, for example, can cover eligible expenses for short-term exchange students, but it is not a general four-year nursing scholarship.
Therefore, Ghanaian students should build a financial plan that does not depend entirely on winning a scholarship.
How Much Can a Nursing Scholarship Save You?
Suppose your nursing program costs CAD $30,000 per year and you receive a CAD $5,000 scholarship.
Your remaining tuition would be:
CAD $30,000 − CAD $5,000 = CAD $25,000
You would still need to budget for accommodation, food, transportation, health insurance, books, supplies and other expenses.
Even a partial scholarship can therefore be valuable.
Can a Scholarship Help With Your Canada Study Permit?
Yes, proof of a scholarship can form part of your financial documentation.
However, receiving a scholarship does not automatically mean you have demonstrated all the funds required for your study permit.
IRCC states that students must demonstrate sufficient financial resources for tuition, living expenses and transportation. If a scholarship covers only tuition, students must provide evidence showing they can cover their remaining expenses.
For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, a single student studying outside Quebec must demonstrate CAD $23,448 for one year of living expenses, excluding tuition and transportation.
How Ghanaian Students Can Improve Their Scholarship Chances
Maintain Strong Academic Results
Academic performance is one of the most common scholarship criteria.
Strong WASSCE results can strengthen your application, particularly for merit-based awards.
Apply Early
Do not wait until after receiving your admission before researching scholarships.
Some scholarship deadlines occur before the academic program begins.
Prepare a Strong Personal Statement
Your statement should explain:
- Why you want to study nursing
- Why you chose Canada
- Your career goals
- Your academic achievements
- Your leadership or community involvement
- How the scholarship would help you
Highlight Nursing-Related Experience
If you have volunteered in a healthcare setting, participated in community health activities or have relevant healthcare experience, include it where appropriate.
Demonstrate Leadership
Scholarship committees may consider more than grades.
Leadership in school, community organizations, volunteering and other activities can strengthen an application.
Apply for Multiple Awards
Do not depend on one scholarship.
Search your prospective university, nursing faculty, external organizations and the official EduCanada scholarship database.
Documents You May Need
Depending on the scholarship, you may need:
- Ghanaian passport
- WASSCE certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Admission letter
- Proof of enrollment
- Personal statement
- Scholarship essay
- Reference letters
- Curriculum vitae
- Proof of extracurricular activities
- Proof of financial need
- Research proposal for some graduate awards
Requirements differ by scholarship.
Scholarship Checklist for Ghanaian Nursing Students
Before submitting an application, check:
- Is the scholarship open to international students?
- Does it accept applicants from Ghana?
- Is nursing an eligible field?
- Is it available for undergraduate or graduate study?
- Do I need an admission offer first?
- Is there a minimum academic requirement?
- Is the award automatic or do I need to apply?
- What is the application deadline?
- How much does it provide?
- Does it cover tuition, living expenses or both?
- Can it be renewed?
- What documents are required?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying for Scholarships That Exclude International Students
Always check citizenship requirements.
Assuming Every Nursing Scholarship Is Fully Funded
Many awards are partial.
Waiting Until You Arrive in Canada
Some entrance awards must be considered before or shortly after admission.
Ignoring Smaller Awards
A CAD $2,000 or $3,000 award may seem small compared with your total tuition, but several smaller awards can make a meaningful difference.
Depending on Scholarship Money for Your Entire Financial Plan
Scholarships are competitive.
You should have an alternative plan for tuition and living expenses.
Final Thoughts
Ghanaian students can find scholarship opportunities for nursing studies in Canada, but the options vary considerably depending on the level of study and the scholarship provider.
For undergraduate students, university entrance awards and international student scholarships may be particularly important. Graduate nursing students may have access to more specialized nursing awards, such as those offered through university faculties.
Ghana is also an eligible country under Canada’s Study in Canada Scholarships program, although this program is designed for short-term study or research exchanges rather than a standard four-year nursing degree.
The best strategy is to start your scholarship search early, check eligibility carefully and apply to several relevant opportunities.
Most importantly, create a financial plan that works even if you do not receive a scholarship.
If your goal is to study nursing in Canada, you can begin exploring your study options here:
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