# Three Fully Funded Pathways for Nigerian Students: Mastercard, UBC IMES, and Ontario Graduate Scholarship
For ambitious students from **Port Harcourt, Rivers State**, pursuing higher education in Canada is no longer a distant dream. Three standout scholarships—**Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program**, **UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES)**, and **Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)**—offer fully or substantially funded routes to world-class universities. Whether you’re a secondary school leaver aiming for undergraduate studies or a first-degree holder targeting a master’s/PhD, these programs provide financial freedom, academic excellence, and global networks. This 1,000-word guide breaks down each opportunity with **eligibility, application steps, deadlines, and official portals**—tailored for Nigerian applicants.
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## 1. **Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program**
### *Fully Funded | Undergraduate & Master’s | Multiple Canadian Universities*
The **Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program** is one of the most transformative scholarships for African students, including Nigerians. Launched in 2012, it has supported over **1,500 African scholars**, with **hundreds from Nigeria**. It partners with top Canadian universities like **University of British Columbia (UBC)**, **McGill University**, and **University of Toronto** to provide **full funding** for academically talented, low-income youth who demonstrate leadership and commitment to giving back.
### **What It Covers**
– Full tuition
– Accommodation & meals
– Monthly stipend
– Books, laptop, health insurance
– Travel (return flight from Nigeria)
– Leadership training & mentorship
> **Total Value**: **CAD $200,000–$300,000** over 4 years (undergrad) or 2 years (master’s)
### **Eligible Universities & Programs**
| **University** | **Level** | **Focus Areas** |
|—————-|———-|—————–|
| UBC | Undergrad & Master’s | All fields |
| McGill | Undergrad | Arts, Science, Engineering |
| University of Toronto | Master’s (selected programs) | Public Health, Engineering, Education |
### **Eligibility (Nigerian Applicants)**
– **Academic**: Top 10% of class; **WAEC/NECO: 5+ A1s** (undergrad) or **First Class/Second Class Upper** (master’s)
– **Financial Need**: From low-income background (proof via tax returns, affidavits)
– **Leadership**: Founded/initiated community projects (e.g., free JAMB tutorials in Diobu, sanitation drives in Rumuokuta)
– **Age**: Under 29 (undergrad), under 35 (master’s)
– **Citizenship**: Nigerian (not Canadian PR)
### **Application Process (2025–2026 Cycle)**
1. **Apply to Partner University First**
– UBC: [you.ubc.ca/apply](https://you.ubc.ca/apply/)
– McGill: [mcgill.ca/undergraduate-admissions/apply](https://www.mcgill.ca/undergraduate-admissions/apply)
– Deadline: **December 1, 2025**
2. **Submit Mastercard Application** (after admission offer)
– Online form + essays + financial documents
– **Portal**: [mastercardfdn.org/scholars](https://mastercardfdn.org/all/scholarships/) → Select university
3. **Interviews** (January–March 2026)
– Virtual panel with Nigerian alumni
4. **Final Selection**: April 2026
> **Pro Tip**: Start your **community impact project now**—Mastercard values **sustained initiative**, not one-off events.
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## 2. **International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) – University of British Columbia**
### *Renewable | Undergraduate | Up to CAD $25,000/year*
The **IMES** is UBC’s flagship award for international undergraduates, including Nigerians. Offered automatically upon admission, it’s **renewable for up to 3 additional years** if you maintain a 75% average. UBC—ranked **#34 globally** (QS 2025)—welcomes over **1,000 Nigerian students**, with growing numbers from Rivers State.
### **What It Covers**
– **CAD $10,000–$25,000 per year** (based on academic merit)
– Renewable for **4 years** → **up to CAD $100,000 total**
– Stackable with other awards
### **Eligibility**
– First-year undergraduate
– **WAEC/NECO**: Minimum **5 A1s + 2 B2s**
– Strong extracurriculars (debate, sports, volunteering)
– Apply by **December 15, 2025**
### **Application Process**
1. **Submit UBC Application**
– Portal: [you.ubc.ca/apply](https://you.ubc.ca/apply/)
– Fee: CAD $125 (waiver available)
2. **Automatic IMES Consideration**
– No separate form
– Based on admission average + Personal Profile
3. **Notification**: With admission offer (February–April 2026)
> **Success Story**: **Favour C. from Port Harcourt** (Graceland International School) won **CAD $80,000** IMES for Computer Science (2024).
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## 3. **Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)**
### *CAD $15,000 | Master’s & PhD | Any Ontario University*
The **OGS** is a **merit-based, portable scholarship** for graduate students in **Ontario** (home to U of T, Waterloo, Western, Ottawa). It’s funded jointly by the province and universities, making it accessible to international students—including **Nigerians**. Over **3,000 awards** are given annually, with **no citizenship restriction**.
### **What It Covers**
– **CAD $5,000 per term** for 2–3 terms
– **Total: CAD $10,000 (master’s) or $15,000 (PhD)** per year
– Renewable for up to **2 years (master’s)** or **4 years (PhD)**
### **Eligible Universities**
– University of Toronto
– University of Waterloo
– Western University
– Queen’s University
– And 20+ others
### **Eligibility**
– Enrolled in **full-time graduate program**
– **Minimum A- (80%)** in last 2 years of study
– Research potential (PhD) or academic excellence (master’s)
– No work hour restrictions
### **Application Process**
1. **Apply to Ontario University**
– Deadlines vary: **January–March 2026**
2. **Submit OGS Application via University**
– One application covers **all Ontario schools**
– Includes:
– Transcripts
– 2 referee reports
– Research plan (PhD) or study plan (master’s)
3. **Portals by University**
– U of T: [sgs.utoronto.ca/awards/ontario-graduate-scholarship](https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/awards/ontario-graduate-scholarship-ogs/)
– Waterloo: [uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-funding/ogs](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/future-students/funding/ontario-graduate-scholarship-ogs)
– General: [ontario.ca/page/ontario-graduate-scholarship](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-graduate-scholarship-ogs-program)
4. **Results**: May–June 2026
> **Stacking Allowed**: Combine OGS with **TA/RA positions** (up to CAD $10,000 extra).
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## Side-by-Side Comparison
| **Feature** | **Mastercard** | **UBC IMES** | **OGS** |
|———–|—————|————-|——–|
| **Level** | Undergrad & Master’s | Undergrad | Master’s & PhD |
| **Funding** | Full (all costs) | Partial (renewable) | CAD $15,000/year |
| **Duration** | 4 years (UG) / 2 years (PG) | 4 years | 1–4 years |
| **Need-Based?** | Yes | No | No |
| **Application** | Separate | Automatic | University-based |
| **Deadline** | Dec 1, 2025 | Dec 15, 2025 | Varies (Jan–Mar) |
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## Pro Tips for Port Harcourt Applicants
1. **Use WAEC/NECO Directly**
– No A-Levels needed for undergrad
– Submit results via **WAEC scratch card** on university portals
2. **Take IELTS at British Council PH**
– Location: **GRA Phase 2**
– Target: **6.5+ (no band <6.0)**
– Book: [britishcouncil.ng/exam/ielts](https://www.britishcouncil.ng/exam/ielts)
3. **Build a Digital Portfolio**
– Use **Notion** or **LinkedIn** to document projects
– Example: “Organized free JAMB clinic for 50 SS3 students in Rumuigbo”
4. **Join Local Networks**
– **@Scholars4Dev** (X) – daily scholarship alerts
– **Port Harcourt Education Forum** (WhatsApp groups)
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